Winners of International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) 2025 Revealed
The winners of the 2025 IAPAs were announced at a gala ceremony held on 13 March at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Dublin.
Once again, there was an outstanding response from the industry to the awards, with more than 140 entries received, showcasing excellence and best practice in the powered access industry. There were 13 award categories in the 2025 IAPAs, ranging from new products and innovations to sustainability and safety, alongside equality and diversity in the workplace.
The 2025 IAPAs winners are as follows:
IPAF Training Instructor of the Year
Shaikha Mahfoudh of Dayim Equipment Rental, Saudi Arabia. The judges said Shaikha has transformed the lives of trainees and raised the bar for powered access training across the board, while empowering women in the workplace and driving Inclusion.
IPAF Training Centre of the Year
HSS Training, UK: The judges were impressed by HSS’s impact in shaping the future of training standards and the large number of trainers that were fully qualified during 2024 through its Trainer Academy, among other achievements.
Contribution to Safe Working at Height
Sunbelt Rentals UK: The judges said Sunbelt UK has made major investments in innovations to improve height safety and carried out a range of demonstration days and safety weeks during 2024 with over 4,400 employees.
Product of the Year – Mast Climbing Work Platforms & Hoists
GEDA, Germany – 1500 Z/ZPF free-standing transport platform. The judges noted the hoist’s ability to operate without the need for anchoring or time-consuming setup, making it a flexible and time-saving solution.
Product of the Year – Scissor Lifts & Vertical Mast Platforms
Skyjack, Canada – SJ3219 micro scissor lift. The judges said the unit’s efficiency and controllability were combined with exceptional duty cycles and the manufacturer’s E-Drive.
Product of the Year – Vehicle and Trailer Mounted Platforms
Aldercote, UK – Jack-less Transit Conversion. The judges praised this innovative conversion’s unprecedented payloads, without the use of stabilisers, making electric van-mounted platforms an even more practical proposition.
Product of the Year – Self-Propelled Booms & Atrium Lifts
Niftylift, UK – HeightRider 22 SE electric telescopic boom. The judges singled out the all-electric telescopic lift for its balance between compactness, performance and environmental responsibility with a narrow tail swing and low weight.
Digital Development Award
Sunbelt Rentals UK. The judges praised the company’s Asset Quality Check app, the updated Observations App recording near misses and its new BIM service, plus the National Uptime Centre for managing fleet.
Innovative Technology Prize
Modern Access & Scaffolding, Hong Kong – sMart Xensor overhead protection system. Utilising dual ultrasonic sensors and advanced algorithms, sMart Xensor detects overhead hazards, even in low-light, dusty, or foggy conditions where vision-based systems falter, the judges noted.
Sustainability Award
Mills, Brazil. The judges noted that Mills is the first in the Brazil rental sector to be certified as a B Corp company. In addition, 40% of its branches now operate on 100% clean and renewable energy. Mills also recycles its batteries.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award
Ammec Comercial, Mexico. The judges were impressed by this company’s support of migrants to develop skills and obtain employment, alongside those leaving the criminal justice system in Mexico City.
Access Rental Company of the Year
GTAccess, UK. The judges were struck by the company’s growing delivery fleet, extensive training, its wide-ranging new MEWP fleet, as well as its new GTA customer live telematics, invoicing and certification portal, and major investment in sustainability.
IPAF/Access International Lifetime Achievement Award
Frank Huish. A true pioneer in the access industry, Frank has played a pivotal role in shaping powered access. Beginning in the 1970s at Access Engineering, he introduced aluminium scaffold towers and auditorium lifts to the UK before becoming Managing Director. Following the company’s acquisition by UpRight, he led Instant Zip Up, while also managing a 22-location rental business. Recognising the need for operator training, he developed a course and manual that later evolved – through collaboration with IPAF founder Paul Adorian – into the PAL Card. A mentor to many senior industry figures, he was also the first to bring a Genie Boom to the UK, became a Genie dealer, and pioneered aerial lift attachments with his Addapac concept. He later led UpRight UK as a successful sales company after selling the rental division. As a founding force behind IPAF, he helped unite rental companies and manufacturers to advance the industry.
Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director of IPAF, comments: “The IAPAs continue to set the benchmark for excellence in our industry, and this year’s winners and finalists have truly demonstrated innovation, dedication and a commitment to safety. Congratulations to all those who were recognised – your achievements are driving progress and setting new standards for the future of powered access worldwide. For those not selected as winners, I hope you will enter the 2026 awards, which will be held in Istanbul.”
A panel of industry experts judged each of the shortlisted entries: Abdullah Alghamdi, Compliance Coordinator of Saudi-Arabia-based oil & gas giant Aramco; David Meeke, Training Manager at Ireland’s Ballo Hire, and chairman of the IPAF Irish Council; Kirsty Archbold-Laming, Director at Southern Hoist Services, chair of the CPA’s Construction Hoist Interest Group and a member of IPAF MCWP UK & Ireland working group; Karel Huijser, president of IPAF and advisor to JLG; Paola Palazzani, President of Italy-based spider lift specialist Palazzani; and non-voting chair of the panel Euan Youdale, editor of Access International.
For more information about the awards, including all the shortlisted entries in each category, visit the www.iapa-summit.info website.
