A new chapter begins

The Emergency Services Show 2026 marked an important milestone for us.

For the first time, we appeared publicly as SKYLOTEC UK and SKYLOTEC SOE UK, following REAX becoming part of the SKYLOTEC Group earlier this year.

Held at the NEC Birmingham, the Emergency Services Show brought together professionals from across the emergency services, rescue, security and specialist access sectors. For us, it was an opportunity to introduce the new SKYLOTEC UK and SKYLOTEC SOE UK identities, showcase our equipment and, most importantly, meet the people who use this equipment in the real world.

Our stand was split into two clear areas. One side represented SKYLOTEC UK, with a focus on work at height, rescue and access equipment. The other represented SKYLOTEC SOE UK, showcasing specialist equipment for tactical and special operations.

It was two busy days, with plenty of demonstrations, conversations and people getting hands-on with the equipment.

SKYLOTEC UK: Getting hands-on with the equipment

The SKYLOTEC UK side of the stand featured a wide range of equipment, giving visitors the opportunity to get a closer look at some of the products available through the UK team.

One of the biggest draws throughout the show was the SKYLOTEC ACX power ascender.

The Actsafe Power Ascender ACX, ICX, RCX and TCX were demonstrated regularly across both days, with a constant stream of visitors wanting to see it in action and, in many cases, have a go themselves on the ACX.

There’s only so much you can understand about powered access equipment from looking at a product on a stand. Getting hands-on gives people a much better feel for how the equipment works, how quickly it can move someone vertically and how it could be applied to different access and rescue scenarios.

The demonstrations also gave our team plenty of opportunities to talk through the equipment, answer questions and understand what visitors were looking for in their own working environments.

Alongside the power ascenders, we had a range of other SKYLOTEC equipment on display, giving visitors the chance to explore the wider portfolio and speak directly with the team about access, work at height and rescue applications.

SKYLOTEC SOE UK: Breaching and tactical equipment

On the other side of the stand, SKYLOTEC SOE UK brought a very different type of equipment and demonstration to the show.

The area featured specialist breaching and tactical equipment, including a dedicated training door used for live breaching demonstrations.

This quickly became another popular part of the stand.

Visitors weren’t just watching demonstrations. They were able to get involved themselves, using the equipment to experience the process first-hand.

The live demonstrations showed the equipment being used in a controlled environment, while also giving visitors an opportunity to understand how the different tools and techniques work together.

For a show like ESS, where many visitors have direct experience of emergency response, rescue or specialist operations, having the equipment available to see and use created a much more useful conversation than simply having products on display.

Two sides, one new chapter

Having SKYLOTEC UK and SKYLOTEC SOE UK side by side was an important part of our first appearance.

Although the two sides of the stand focused on different areas, they showed the breadth of what is now available through the UK businesses.

On one side, visitors could explore work at height, rescue and powered access equipment. On the other, they could see specialist breaching and tactical solutions.

Together, they represented the next step for the business following the transition from REAX to SKYLOTEC.

The show also gave us the chance to introduce the people behind the new businesses. Across the two days, the team were involved in demonstrations, discussions and plenty of time with visitors, both familiar faces and people meeting us for the first time.

What's next for SKYLOTEC UK and SKYLOTEC SOE UK?

The Emergency Services Show was only the beginning.

REAX has built strong relationships in the UK through training, equipment, service and practical experience. As part of the SKYLOTEC Group, we’re now bringing that local experience together with SKYLOTEC’s wider product portfolio, manufacturing expertise and international support.

The existing UK team, Blackpool base and customer relationships remain in place, while the new structure gives us an opportunity to expand what we can offer across training, equipment and service.

There’s plenty more to come as SKYLOTEC UK and SKYLOTEC SOE UK continue to establish themselves in the UK.

The Emergency Services Show gave us the chance to introduce the new chapter. Now we’re looking forward to building on it.

We’ll get you there.