Winners of the IAPAs 2023 revealed in Berlin, Germany

The winners of the 2023 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) have been announced at a gala ceremony on 20 April at the H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz, the first time the celebratory event has been held in Germany’s capital. The host location for the 2024 event was announced as Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Once again, there was an outstanding response from the industry to the awards, with more than 120 entries received. Euan Youdale, Editor of Access International magazine and non-voting chair of the judges’ panel, comments: “Organisers IPAF, KHL Group and Access International would like to thank all those who took the time to enter the awards, and to the judges for their significant efforts in considering them. Both this year and last we had brilliant submissions – congratulations to all of the winners.” 

There were 13 categories in the 2023 IAPAs programme, including a new category, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award, inspired by IPAF’s Women in Powered Access initiative. The 2023 winners are as follows:   

Access Rental Company of the Year  
Sunbelt Rentals, UK: Judges noted Sunbelt’s major investment in a sustainable, Stage V and NRMM-compliant powered access fleet, coupled with a customer satisfaction rating of 4.53, up from 4.44 previously. The company received its 11th consecutive RoSPA Gold Medal Award in 2022, complementing annual growth of 15%. 

Contribution to Safe Working at Height 
Nationwide Platforms, UK: Judges decided in favour of Nationwide on the basis of a track record of introducing safety innovations, in addition to which the company has delivered training to the UK regulator Health and Safety Executive (HSE), launched a dual-fuel offering, increased its green-energy fleet, introduced apprenticeships and other schemes to maintain an effective workforce, and extensively refurbished its training facilities. 

The Sustainability Award 
Genie, USA: Judges commented on sustainability projects aimed at reducing Genie’s environmental footprint, including intensity reduction goals of 15% by 2024. A new facility in Monterrey, Mexico, is being built to LEED Silver standards to minimise heat absorption, reduce energy use and enable alternative forms of transportation. 

Digital Development Award 
Alimak, Sweden, for its My Alimak customer portal: The judges praised the portal’s versatile provision, including machine information, BIM modelling, the Alicalc online stress calculation tool, Internet of Things usage data, remote machine service log, among many others.  

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award  
Vicki Allen – International Platforms, UK: Having worked for almost 20 years in the access platform industry, including 12 years as used equipment manager at Genie and four years at rental company AJ Access, Vicki is a trailblazer for women both in and joining the industry, and is committed to the personal development of all employees. 

Innovative Technology Prize  
Nationwide Platforms, UK – Harness On, Phase 2: Described as a ‘seatbelt’ for MEWPs, this ensures operators are always correctly secured to the machine during working operations. A patented inductive ring ensures the operator connects the carabiner to Harness On instead of guard rails, without which, the machine won’t work. 

Product of the Year categories 

Mast-Climbing Work Platforms and Hoists  
Maber Hoist, Italy – MBC2000 transport platform: The new version of Maber’s 2,000kg transport platform/material hoist was introduced at bauma 2022. It features low-absorption (maximum 18/32 amps) to address lack of power availability on work sites, a 3m C, a protective roof that opens and a handy mast guard. 

Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Platforms 
MEC, USA – MMAE16 vertical mast lift: Judges said that the manufacturer’s new vertical-mast technology sees a combination of direct electric drive, electric linear actuator steer, electric actuator lift with electric-release holding brake delivering energy efficiency and zero possibility of hydraulic oil leaks. 

Self-propelled Booms and Atrium Lifts 
Manitou, France – 160 ATJ+e electric boom lift: Judges praised this updated all-electric machine, with a range extender allowing work for a week on a job site without refilling the seven-litre tank. Usage data of the E-xtra generator and batteries are available through Manitou Easy Manager, plus there’s a range of new safety features.   

Vehicle and Trailer-mounted Platforms  
Elliott Equipment Company, USA – E150i truck mount: US utility transmission construction/maintenance typically require the two or three machines – a MEWP (non-insulated) capable of working in extreme environments; a material handler or light-duty crane; and an ANSI Category A insulated MEWP capable of working on live power lines. This machine combines capabilities of all three – winning over the judges. 

IPAF member companies and individuals 

IPAF Training Centre of the Year  
Dayim Equipment Rentals, Saudi Arabia: Dayim has experienced record growth as a training centre and is market leader in Saudi Arabia. It caters for a range of different languages and has become accredited by the Saudi government and is the go-to trainer for mega projects in the Kingdom. 

IPAF Training Instructor of the Year 
Anna Sarah Costa Morais – Mills, Brazil: Sarah was Mills’s top trainer in 2022 and works proactively to enhance trainee and co-workers experience, as well as encouraging and developing roles for women in the workplace. 

Access International/IPAF Lifetime Achievement Award 
Dante Fracca, founder of Hinowa: Described by colleagues as a great innovator and a charismatic leader who continued to create innovative products even in the toughest of times, for example during the financial crisis that began in 2008 and the Covid pandemic. His father started the COFRA company in 1950, focusing on excavators mounted on a Chevrolet chassis, before expanding into hydraulic tracked excavators and undercarriages. In 1950, Dante shifted the business from large construction machinery to gardening products, when he founded a new company Agri 3, and then in 1987 he changed the name of the company to Hinowa. In 1992, the company moved to new headquarters and in 1998 started to sell aerial platforms. In 2003, Hinowa produced its first tracked platform – the Goldlift 14.70. Apart from impressive organic growth, Hinowa has created major partnerships, ranging from signing a deal with JLG in 2010 to supply spider lifts and in 2013 with Kubota to provide mini dumpers. Today, Hinowa boasts a 90,000 sq ft production site and employs 260 people. Earlier this year, JLG’s parent company Oshkosh completed its acquisition of Hinowa, which will continue to operate under its own name. 

Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director of IPAF, comments: “For the second year running, we had a fabulous set of entries across the various awards categories, and the competition was fierce. A very well deserved congratulations to all the winners, and for all the companies or individuals shortlisted but not selected as winners this year I hope you will enter the 2024 awards, the winners of which will be announced in Copenhagen.” 

● For more information about the awards including all the shortlisted entries in each categories, visit the www.iapa-summit.info website.