Bespoke vs Standard - What’s the Right Access Solution for Your Business?

August 6, 2025

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:
👉
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:
👉
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. 


An engineer standing on the upper platform of the dual height Double Decker platform step

"Double Decker" Platform

Glassfibre Double Platform Step

We solved a challenge faced by an engineering team, where different height users needed different platforms levels to work safely.


Rather than supplying two sets of steps, we developed a dual-height platform in one compact unit.

Portable Building Manufacturer

Glassfibre Cubicle Platform for Confined Spaces

For modular building engineers, we created a Glassfibre Cubicle Platform to fit within confined spaces like toilet cubicles. This bespoke solution allowed safe and efficient electrical work in tight spaces.

BT Openreach

Bespoke Ladder for Utility Poles

We developed a custom ladder for BT, designed to securely stand against utility poles. The solution featured a unique 'butterfly' rung for superior balance, a lashing rope, and a double safety catch for enhanced security.

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.

Maintenance worker using the Boxing Ring Tower to access the roof of a portable building
February 2, 2026
Working on flat roofs and elevated workspaces is a common requirement across construction, transport, facilities management and utilities. Yet it remains one of the most challenging areas to manage safely. Whether accessing the roof of a bus, a welfare unit, a container, a substation or a commercial building, safety at the point of access, plus edge protection on the roof itself is critical. The challenge of accessing flat roofs safely Flat roofs and elevated workspaces are widely used for: Plant and equipment maintenance Vehicle and fleet servicing Inspections and surveys Installation and repair work While the work itself may be straightforward, getting safely onto the roof and working hands-free when in the workspace is often where problems arise. Common issues include: Limited or no edge protection Unsafe transitions from access equipment to roof Increased risk of falls during access and egress In many environments, these risks are difficult to eliminate using standard ladders or basic access equipment. Introducing the Lyte Boxing Ring Tower (BRT) The Lyte Boxing Ring Tower (BRT) provides a fully enclosed overhead workspace that creates true 360-degree fall protection around the work area. This unique “boxing ring” design removes the need to install temporary edge protection before stepping onto the flat roof surface, offering a safer, faster setup for a wide range of elevated tasks. The BRT integrates with Lyte’s HiLyte Tower System and uses a transition deck to allow operatives to step safely onto the roof or elevated surface. The overhead frame extends out from the tower, allowing safe access to work areas where conventional towers cannot reach. This is especially suited to rail, transport, utilities and site accommodation applications. Key features include: 360-degree fall protection barriers around the workspace area Controlled transition from tower to roof Secure, stable access for repeated use Designed for flat roofs and elevated workspaces Once on the roof, operatives can work as required, knowing that the most hazardous part of the task, the access and egress, has been properly controlled. The work is carried out on the roof or surface itself , while the Boxing Ring Tower frame provides 360-degree fall protection around the workspace . Applications for the Boxing Ring Tower The BRT delivers a significantly safer method of access for tasks where users must transition from a tower onto a flat work surface. The solution was developed in response to a transport sector requirement for safe roof access on buses, but the same access challenges exist across many industries. The Lyte Boxing Ring Tower is suited to a wide range of real-world applications, including: Buses, coaches and commercial vehicles Trains and rail vehicles Flat roofs and rooftop plant Substations and utilities infrastructure Containers, welfare units and modular buildings The fully enclosed “boxing ring” workspace surrounds the user and provides 360-degree fall protection, significantly reducing risk when transitioning onto elevated structures. Designed and manufactured in the UK The Boxing Ring Tower is designed and manufactured in the UK , ensuring: Consistent quality and durability Clear specifications for professional use Long-term support and availability This makes it suitable not only for end users, but also for hire companies, contractors and facilities teams who need reliable access solutions. Learn more about the Lyte Boxing Ring Tower If you are responsible for working at height on flat roofs or elevated workspaces, and want a safer way to manage access, the Lyte Boxing Ring Tower offers a practical, purpose-built solution. 👉 View the product here: https://www.lyteladders.co.uk/product/lyte-boxing-ring-tower-BRT
Paint pots next to a yellow fibreglass platform step ladder
November 4, 2025
Find the best ladders for decorators. From stairwells to public buildings, Lyte’s UK-made professional ladders and platforms keep decorators safe and efficient at height.
Contractor using a Lyte combination ladder to access ceiling space
October 22, 2025
A professional's guide for choosing the best ladders for electricians, decorators, builders, and maintenance professionals.