IPAF releases Annual Report 2023 and appoints Karel Huijser as new President

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) proudly announces the release of its Annual Report for the year 2023, encapsulating a year of remarkable achievements and substantial growth across various sectors of the powered access industry. This comprehensive report provides insights into IPAF's activities, key initiatives, and statistical highlights, showcasing its unwavering commitment to safety, innovation, and industry excellence. 

The Annual Report emphasises IPAF's mission to promote and ensure the safe and effective utilisation of powered access equipment worldwide. With a membership base spanning 81 countries, IPAF continues to exert its influence through providing technical advice, influencing and interpreting legislation and standards, and through its safety initiatives and training programmes. 

Highlights from the IPAF Annual Report 2023: 

• President’s Report: Departing president Karin Godenheilm provides insights into the year's achievements and welcomes Karel Huijser as the new president, emphasising a seamless transition of leadership 
• CEO Report: CEO and Managing Director Peter Douglas delivers key updates on the powered access industry, highlighting significant strides made in advancing safety standards and wider industry growth 
• IPAF In Numbers: A comprehensive statistical overview presents a snapshot of IPAF's global impact, featuring data from 81 countries and illustrating the organisation's extensive reach and influence 
• Women In Powered Access: The Women in Powered Access initiative continues to champion diversity and inclusion within the industry, celebrating the invaluable contributions of women and inspiring future generations 
• IPAF Training: IPAF's commitment to enhancing training programmes is evident through the launch of tailored harness training courses, addressing critical safety concerns, and ensuring operator competence 
• Audit & Quality: The IPAF Audit Department reports increased activity in supporting training centres, instructors, and rental companies, emphasising a focus on continuous improvement and industry-wide benefits 
• Rental: The introduction of the IPAF Rental Standard marks a significant milestone in promoting industry best practices, enhancing safety compliance, and elevating customer service standards globally 
• Safety & Technical: IPAF's efforts in data gathering and safety improvement initiatives result in a reduction in fatalities, reflecting the organisation's commitment to safety and collaboration 
• Communications and Membership: IPAF's expanded engagement efforts, including increased event hosting and global outreach, reaffirm its dedication to building meaningful connections and knowledge-sharing within the industry 
• Milestones: A month-by-month overview of key achievements highlights IPAF's continuous progress and impactful contributions throughout the year 
• Financial Summary: IPAF reports an increase in turnover, driven by growth in training and events income, reaffirming its financial stability and capacity for further expansion 
• Sustaining Members and Event Sponsors: IPAF extends gratitude to its sustaining members and event sponsors for their contributions throughout 2023 

The Annual Report reinforces IPAF's dedication to safety, innovation, and excellence. For more information and to access the complete report, visit: www.ipaf.org/en/resource-library/ipaf-annual-report 

IPAF Annual General Meeting (AGM) 

The Annual General Meeting announced a smooth transition of leadership with the appointment of Karel Huijser as the new president, succeeding Karin Godenheilm. Prior to her departure, Karin presented the IPAF President’s Award to Brazil and Portugal Country Manager, Antonio Barbosa and the Founder’s Award to Mark Keily.  

The newly appointed Officers of the IPAF board are as follows: 

President: Karel Huijser 

Deputy President: Kai Schliephake 

Vice President: Pedro Torres 

Immediate Past President: Karin Godenhielm 

Directors: Ben Hirst, Julie Houston Smyth & Jacco De Kluijver 

Reflecting on the AGM, IPAF CEO and Managing Director Peter Douglas, commented: "IPAF extends its gratitude to Karin Godenheilm for her outstanding leadership and dedication during her tenure as president. We warmly welcome Karel Huijser as our new president and look forward to collaborating with him to advance IPAF's diverse initiatives worldwide. Together, we are committed to driving progress and excellence within the powered access industry in 2024 and beyond." 

Reacting to his new role as IPAF President, Karel Huijser said: “It’s a great privilege for me to be elected as IPAF President, and I have accepted this honour together with CEO of Riwal, Pedro Torres (Vice President, IPAF board) and CEO of Partnerlift, Kai Schliephake (Deputy President, IPAF board). We believe that collectively we will serve this position well and in a way that will benefit IPAF.  

“Safety is at the heart of our IPAF organisation. It is reflected by our mission to enable safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide, and our vision to be an industry-leading safety organisation for powered access. Put simply, safety not only concerns today but also the future – I call this sustainable safety. This involves implementing measures and practices that not only address immediate safety concerns but also aim to prevent potential hazards and risks. Sustainable safety emphasises the importance of considering the long-term impact of safety initiatives on the environment, society, and future generations.”