plant hire - head to head
Atlas Copco vs Towerlight
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Atlas Copco | Towerlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Sweden (Stockholm) | Italy (Siena) |
| Making trailers since | 1873 | 1997 |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Available, smaller network |
| Range covers | portable air compressors, diesel generators, LED light towers, dewatering pumps | LED lighting towers, Diesel and hybrid light towers, Solar light towers, Power generators |
| Best known for | XAS / XATS | GLT series |
Choose Atlas Copco if...
Bought by hire fleets, contractors and utilities for portable compressors, generators and light towers. Known for the yellow and grey HardHat polyethylene canopy on its compressors and light towers.
Look at: XAS / XATS, QAS, HiLight
Full Atlas Copco profile →Choose Towerlight if...
Towerlight is the long-standing name of the Italian lighting tower maker now branded Generac Mobile. Its diesel, hybrid and solar light towers are bought by hire fleets and contractors who light roadworks, civils sites and events.
Look at: GLT series, CUBE, V20 family
Full Towerlight profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Atlas Copco vs Towerlight - common questions
Is Atlas Copco better than Towerlight?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Bought by hire fleets, contractors and utilities for portable compressors, generators and light towers. Known for the yellow and grey HardHat polyethylene canopy on its compressors and light towers. Towerlight is the long-standing name of the Italian lighting tower maker now branded Generac Mobile. Its diesel, hybrid and solar light towers are bought by hire fleets and contractors who light roadworks, civils sites and events.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Atlas Copco or Towerlight?
Atlas Copco: Atlas Copco Power Technique has UK offices at Hemel Hempstead with sales, service and parts. Towerlight: Sold through a dealer network; the maker site has a dealer locator but UK coverage is not stated on the product pages.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.