IPAF Asia Conference 2024: Powered Access Industry Leaders Gather in Nanjing

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) successfully hosted the IPAF Asia Conference 2024 on 1-2 August at the Renaissance Nanjing Olympic Centre Hotel. The two-day event brought together over 240 industry professionals from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan, to discuss the latest trends emerging across the powered access industry.  

Day 1 commenced with an inspiring opening speech by the Guest of Honour, Ms. Hu Yuhong, Deputy Director General of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, Ministry of Emergency Management. This was followed by a warm welcome from IPAF CEO, Peter Douglas, setting an optimistic tone for the conference. 

The morning sessions featured a pivotal presentation by Tim Mo, IPAF China Regional Manager, who presented on the launch of IPAF’s 'Crushing Can Kill' campaign. His insights underscored the critical importance of accident reporting in enhancing workplace safety. Romina Vanzi, IPAF Head of Regional Development & MCWPS, alongside Susan Xu, General Manager of Sinoboom, further emphasised the significance of safety and collaboration in the industry with IPAF. 

Stefano Scapin, Chief Business Development Officer APAC at COBO, captivated the audience with his presentation on leveraging safety features for competitive advantage. His session was followed by Martin Wraith, IPAF Rental+ Scheme Manager, who provided a comprehensive tutorial on optimising rental businesses through established rental standards.  

After the lunch and networking session, the conferenced resumed with an enlightening talk by Brian Parker, IPAF's Head of Safety & Technical, on the new EU Machinery Regulation—a crucial topic for MEWP manufacturers. Then, Roseline Zhang from Ducker Carlisle delivered a comparative analysis of the MEWP rental market in China and overseas, offering valuable market insights. 

A highlight of the day was the panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the Asia MEWP industry. Moderated by Karin Sun from Off-Highway Research, the panel featured industry leaders Xu Shenghui, Desmond Ong, Li Ying, and Harry Wang who delved into topics such as ensuring safe MEWP operations and responding to trends in electrification and new equipment policies. 

The conference's final sessions featured Zhu Jiayu, Vice President and Performance Manager at Zhongneng United, discussing digitalisation's role in enhancing MEWP safety. Before the conference concluded, Jeff Wang, EHS Director at Century 3 (Shanghai) Inc. delivered a compelling talk on incorporating safety in construction projects.  

The evening was marked by a vibrant Gala Dinner sponsored by TVH. The Gala Dinner event began with speeches by IPAF CEO, Peter Douglas and TVH General Manager of China, Xu Ziqi, who celebrated the event's success and the collaborative spirit of the delegates. 

The conference was attended by over 240 delegates, mainly from rental companies in China, with 80% being IPAF members. Although feedback collection is still ongoing via WeChat, the event has already received positive comments from participants and sponsors eager to support next year’s conference. 

Tim Mo, IPAF’s China Representative, commented, "We warmly welcomed MEWP industry professionals to China for the IPAF 2024 Asia Conference during a pivotal time for the rapidly developing Chinese MEWP market. Recent safety incidents have underscored the importance of safety as the foundation for industry growth, making this conference more crucial than ever. IPAF presented the latest global accident reports, best safety practices, and practical solutions based on safety training and system certification to promote the safe and effective use of MEWPs in the region. The conference also addressed new products, applications, trends, demands, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry. 

This was the first time in five years that IPAF members, especially Chinese members, gathered in China. Over 240 practitioners from local rental companies, distributors, parts/services, manufacturers, government agencies, contractors, and equipment users attended, reflecting the growing focus on MEWP safety and highlighting IPAF's vital role in promoting industry exchanges and representing the industry's voice in the region. 

Thank you to all the attendees, speakers, and sponsors who contributed to the conference's success. Your participation and support are critical as we continue to advance safety and innovation in the MEWP industry. We look forward to seeing you at future events!" 

IPAF thanks all attendees, speakers, and sponsors for their contributions to the conference's success. Your involvement is crucial as we continue to advance safety and innovation in the MEWP industry.

For those interested in attending next year’s event, please watch out for announcements on registration and sponsorship opportunities, or contact marketing@ipaf.org for more information.