About Altrex
Overview: Altrex B.V. is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of non-permanent aluminum access equipment. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Zwolle, the company designs and produces mobile scaffold towers, ladders, step ladders, and suspended platforms for professional and consumer use, sold through dealers worldwide. Since 2022, Altrex has been part of the French Frénéhard & Michaux group.
Altrex began in 1950 under the name Bijstede and later took the Altrex name as it grew internationally. Today it is one of the best-known access equipment brands in Europe, with its headquarters and production in Zwolle and additional locations in Belgium and Spain. In March 2022 the French industrial group Frénéhard & Michaux acquired Altrex, bringing it into one of Europe's larger groups focused on work-at-height equipment.
Altrex is best known for its RS Tower range of aluminum mobile scaffold towers, its MiTower one-person towers, and a broad line of ladders and step ladders. For facade and building maintenance, Altrex also makes the MHB modular suspended platform system, which is used with traction hoists from other manufacturers. Altrex products are built to European standards, so U.S. buyers should confirm how a product will be configured and used to meet OSHA requirements. Through Scaffold Exchange, you can find Altrex equipment and the providers who sell, rent, and service it.
Altrex Product Lines
Altrex manufactures a range of aluminum access equipment. Main product lines include the following.
RS Tower Mobile Scaffolds
Aluminum rolling scaffold towers in multiple widths and heights, with Safe-Quick guardrail systems and Fiber-Deck platforms.
MiTower One-Person Towers
Compact towers designed to be built by a single worker, including stairwell versions for working over stairs.
MHB Suspended Platforms
Modular aluminum swing stage platforms with angled and adjustable corners, used with traction hoists from other makers.
Ladders
Multi-purpose, extension, rope-operated, and telescopic aluminum ladders for professional use.
Step Ladders & Custom Access
Professional step ladders and platform steps, plus customized access solutions for specific tasks and sites.
Where Altrex Equipment Is Used
Altrex equipment is used across construction, maintenance, and facility work, including the following.
Interior finishing and ceiling work
Facility and building maintenance
Stairwell painting and repairs
Facade cleaning and repair from suspended platforms
Electrical, HVAC, and mechanical installs
Warehouse and industrial maintenance
Rental fleets for general contractors
Solar and rooftop installation work
How Altrex Compares to Other Manufacturers
Altrex is one of many manufacturers serving the scaffold and access market. Here is how it compares.
U.S. scaffold and access equipment
- Frame, systems, and rolling scaffolds
- Built for the U.S. market
- Broad scaffold product range
- Best for U.S. contractors and rental fleets
Traction hoists for suspended access
- Personnel-rated traction hoists
- Strong low-voltage performance
- Commonly paired with Altrex MHB platforms
- Best for swing stage hoisting
European aluminum access equipment
- RS Tower and MiTower mobile scaffolds
- MHB modular suspended platforms
- Ladders and step ladders
- Best for lightweight aluminum access
Global scaffold and access provider
- Systems scaffold and Spider suspended access
- Manufacturing in several countries
- Equipment plus services
- Best for large industrial and commercial work
Portable material hoists
- Wire rope material hoists
- Mounts to scaffolds and structures
- Material only, not personnel
- Best for lifting materials on site
Find Altrex Equipment Near You
Use the Scaffold Exchange map to search by location, filter by manufacturer, and connect directly with providers who sell, rent, and service Altrex towers, ladders, and suspended platforms.
OSHA Compliance & Safety Standards
Altrex designs its products to European standards, such as EN 1004 for mobile access towers, EN 131 for ladders, and EN 1808 for suspended platforms. On U.S. construction sites, mobile scaffold towers must also meet OSHA 29 CFR 1926.452(w), which covers bracing, caster locking, platform height-to-base ratios, and rules for moving towers with workers on them. Ladders fall under 1926.1053 and suspended platforms under 1926.451 and 1926.452. Users should follow both the manufacturer's instructions and OSHA requirements.
- Towers erected per the manufacturer's instructions
- Casters locked when the tower is in use
- Height-to-base ratio limits followed or outriggers used
- Guardrails installed on working platforms
- Equipment inspected by a competent person before each shift
- Components not mixed with other manufacturers' parts
1926.452
Scaffolds — Specific Types, Including Mobile Scaffolds — U.S. Construction Regulations
OSHA Interpretations & Rulings →
