2026
International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs)
The IAPAs are the only truly global awards for the powered access sector and celebrate best practice and excellence across the industry.
The 2026 event provides a unique setting in which to spend an enjoyable evening with customers, industry contacts and colleagues.
The IAPAs dinner and awards ceremony, organised by IPAF and KHL Group’s Access International, is widely considered as the industry’s best social event, attracting audiences of around 500 each year.
- Free to enter
- Each shortlisted company receive a maximum of two complimentary tickets to the awards dinner
Entry Deadline
Friday 5 December 2025
Entry Forms
Categories
Access Rental Company of the Year
To a powered access rental company that stands out through innovation and success.
Contribution to Safe Working at Height
To an individual or company that has made a significant contribution to safe working at height through a range of initiatives, innovations and/or commitments within its/their own company; or promoting safe working practices in the industry.
Digital Development Award
This award is for rental companies and owners/users of aerial platforms, and designed to recognise a significant innovation in the use of digital technology.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award
The EDI IAPA award category is open to both organisations and individuals. This award is open to any company or individual who has demonstrated their sustainable commitment to improving EDI in the powered access industry.
The IAPA Innovative Technology Award
This award is for rental companies and owners/users of aerial platforms, and designed to recognise a significant innovation in the use of digital technology.
The Sustainability Award
This award is open to any company making a significant contribution to sustainability in the access industry, through their latest products, services or initiatives.
Lifetime Achievement Award
To an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the powered access industry, and/or someone who has played a key role in the industry during the course of a career or over many years.
Product of the Year Categories
Mast climbing Work Platforms, Hoists
For a manufacturer that has launched an innovative mast climbing work platform or construction hoist.
Scissor lifts & Vertical Mast Platforms
For a manufacturer that has launched an innovative scissor lift or vertical mast platform, including low level access, vertical mast booms, push around platforms and stock pickers.
Self-propelled (booms and atrium lifts)
For a manufacturer that has launched an innovative self-propelled boom or atrium lift.
Vehicle, Trailer Mounted
For a manufacturer that has launched an innovative vehicle/trailer mounted platform.
IPAF Categories
IPAF Training Centre of the Year
To an IPAF training centre that can demonstrate exceptional growth in trainee numbers, innovative solutions, raising awareness of safety, promoting its product or services, or moving into new markets.
IPAF Training Instructor of the Year
To an IPAF certified instructor who has demonstrated commitment to the training programme and stood out through memorable instruction techniques and the quality of his or her training.
Entry Deadline
Friday 5 December 2025
Awards Information
- Free to enter
- Each shortlisted company receive a maximum of two complimentary tickets to the awards dinner
- Companies and individuals can enter themselves or nominate others.
- You can submit entries for more than one award, and more than one entry per category.
- Awards are for activities undertaken and for products launched Sept 2024 – 5 Dec 2025
- Entries must be submitted in English using the official entry form.
- Please supply a company logo when submitting your entry.
Meet the Judges
Dr. Ren Huili
Vice President of Zoomlion Group
Dr. Ren Huili, Vice President of Zoomlion Group, holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Design and is the Founder and General Manager of Zoomlion Access. Dr. Ren said he has a ‘mission of making working-at-height greener, safer, and simpler.’ He has led innovations in electrification of MEWPs at the company and has pioneered new technologies, including the ultra-boom that first broke the 68m and advanced to an 82m model, as well as safety systems that integrate inherent, operational, and management. Under his leadership, Zoomlion Access has risen to become the world’s fifth-largest access equipment manufacturer, with a full range of products sold in more than 100 countries and regions.
Shaikha Ben Mahfoudh
Head of Training at Dayim Equipment Rental
Shaikha Ben Mahfoudh is Head of Training at Dayim Equipment Rental, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She transformed the centre into an IAPA 2023 award-winning facility, achieving targets set by the company through innovative training program design and client partnerships. Also recognized as IPAF Instructor of the Year 2025, Mahfoudh previously worked as Client Success Manager at Tenderd Track and Customer Service & Training Manager at Rapid Access, focusing on operational performance and revenue growth.
Kai Schliephake
Deputy President of IPAF
Kai Schliephakeis the Deputy President of IPAF, having been a board member of council member for the federation since 2013. Schliephake is also the CEO & Managing director of PartnerLift, which represents a network of independent rental companies in Germany with 130 depots and more than 15.000 rental machines, more than 50% of which are aerial platforms. Previously Schliephake was Managing Director of JLG Deutschland and responsible for sales and service in Germany, Austria & Switzerland.
Stephanie Erasmus
Director of Kwick Access Rentals
Stephanie Erasmus. As the first female owner of a rental company in South Africa, Erasmus, is aiming to bring Kwick Access Rentals, which has a fleet of just under 100 units into the top five players in the country. With a background in Finance Erasmus took the leap into construction in 2008, where she gained valuable commercial experience in the contracting field. The next step was to take the plunge into rental with the creation of Quick Access Rental in 2015, based in Johannesburg.
Abdullah Tuncer
Deputy Secretary General of Platformder and IPAF’s Country Manager for Turkey
Abdullah Tunceris Deputy Secretary General of Platformder and IPAF’s Country Manager for Turkey. Tuncer has been involved in the MEWP sector since 2011 as a member of a range of relevant committees, culminating in the foundation of Platformder in 2017 – Turkey’s first and only specialized MEWP association. He contributed to the formation of the Rental Committee within the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and is the publisher of Platformdergi, Turkey’s only MEWP sector magazine, and serves as the Chair of the Mirror Committee at the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), overseeing standardization efforts relevant to the industry.
