Bespoke vs Standard - What’s the Right Access Solution for Your Business?
Choosing the right equipment for working at height can significantly impact site safety, task efficiency and long-term value.
At Lyte Ladders & Towers, we manufacture a full range of standard access equipment certified to the latest safety standards, as well as bespoke access solutions tailored to solve complex or industry-specific challenges. But how do you know which is right for your needs?
In this post, we explore the pros and cons of standard vs bespoke solutions, and how to make the best choice for your business.
Standard Access Products: Certified and Ready to Use
Our standard ladders, steps, podiums and towers are independently tested and certified to the relevant standards (such as EN131 or EN1004), ensuring they meet strict safety and performance requirements for regular trade and industrial use.
✔️ Advantages of Standard Products
- Fully Certified: Products like our MagnaStep range are EN131 Professional certified, which is reassuring for both Health & Safety teams and users.
- Faster Lead Times: Manufactured in volume at our UK factory, standard items are available with shorter turnaround times and higher stock availability.
- Cost-Effective: Ideal for bulk purchase for use across large teams or multi-site operations.
- Widely Applicable: Suitable for general use across construction, maintenance, utilities, and facilities management.
⚠️ Limitations
- One-Size-Fits-All Design: May not suit specialist tasks or restricted environments.
- Workarounds Can Introduce Risk: Using the wrong type of ladder or adapting it on site can lead to unsafe practices.
Bespoke Access Solutions: Built Around Your Challenge
Not all jobs fit within a standard set of dimensions, and that’s where Lyte’s bespoke design service comes in.
From access towers for the transport industry to maintain their vehicles to compact platforms designs to fit in confined portable buildings and telecoms pole ladders for utilities, we work closely with customers across multiple industries to design safe, purpose-built solutions.
View some of our recent bespoke projects here:
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Bespoke Products Gallery
✔️ Advantages of Bespoke Solutions
- Tailored for Your Task: Designed specifically to fit the working environment, user needs and operational requirements.
- Solves Access Challenges Safely: Reduces reliance on unsafe workarounds or modifications.
- Long-Term Value: Bespoke solutions can reduce downtime, improve productivity, and enhance operator safety over time.
- Built and Tested In-House: Even though many bespoke products don’t fall under a formal certification like EN131, we apply our rigorous in-house testing protocols to ensure every product is safe, stable, and fit for purpose.
Learn more about our testing process:
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Bespoke Access Testing & Development
⚠️ Considerations
- Longer Lead Times: Bespoke items require consultation, design approval and testing.
- Not Always Certified: As these products don’t always align with a defined European standard, they cannot carry an EN131 badge, however they are still tested to the highest standards by our in-house team.
So, Which is Right for You?
| Criteria | Standard Products | Bespoke Access Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Certified | Yes | Not always applicable |
| Faster Delivery | In stock or on short lead time | Longer lead times |
| Custom Fit | No | Yes |
| Industry-Specific Use | Standard use | Tailored to sector |
| Budget-Friendly | Lower upfront cost | Higher initial investment |
| Tested for Safety | Independently certified | In-house tested and validated |
Your Access Challenge
If you have a unique working at height requirement, whether that’s due to space constraints, safety standards, or industry-specific needs, we’re here to help. Our in-house design team will work with you from concept to completion to deliver a solution that’s fit for purpose and built to last.
Lyte Ladders & Towers – Supporting safe working at height for over 75 years.
