International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) 2025
The IAPAs are the only truly global awards for the powered access sector and celebrate best practice and excellence across the industry.
The 2025 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 450 each year.
With 13 all-encompassing awards categories available to enter, companies across the access industry are invited to submit their nominations highlighting their latest products or initiatives which demonstrate a leap forward in environmental engagement. The award categories cover equipment, sustainability, diversity, engineering and digital innovations, along with safety and IPAF training. In addition, an individual will be recognised for their contributions to the industry in the Lifetime Achievement Award.
2025 Award Winners & Runners Up
IPAF Training Instructor of the Year
WINNER
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.”
Runners Up
- Enda Geoghan - Lift Hire Ireland
- Gonçalo Pereira - Transgrua
- John McNeilly - HSS Training
IPAF Training Centre of the Year
WINNER
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.
Runners Up
- Industry Training Services
- Mills
Contribution to Safe Working at Height
WINNER
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.”
Runners Up
- Electroelsa - Integrated Bolts Presence Detector
- Nationwide Platforms - Hinkley Point C
- Niftylift - Safety technologies
- Rapid Access - Stop Work Authority
Product of the Year – Mast Climbing Work Platforms & Hoists
WINNER
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.
Runners Up
- Electroelsa - PM-M56
- Maber Hoist - MBC50
Product of the Year – Scissor Lifts & Vertical Mast Platforms
WINNER
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.
Runners Up
- Easy Lift - EASYBB001
- Haulotte - HS18 E MAX
- MEC - 3232SE
Product of the Year – Vehicle and Trailer Mounted Platforms
WINNER
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.
Runners Up
- Dinolift - Dino 120TLB
- Ruthmann - T 380 XS
- Ruthmann - T 1000 HF
- Sinoboom - GKS32EL
Product of the Year – Self-Propelled Booms & Atrium Lifts
WINNER
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 tight tail swing and low weight.
Runners Up
- Dingli - BA44ERT
- Haulotte - HA16 E (and E PRO)
- Leguan Lifts - Leguan 265
- Skyjack - SJ60 AJE +
Digital Development Award
WINNER
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.
Runners Up
- AFI Rentals - Resource planner
- Capja - CapjaDocs
- PartnerLift - MIRA
Innovative Technology Prize
WINNER
Modern Access & Scaffolding, UK
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.
Runners Up
- Niftylift - ClipOn
- Ruthmann - T 1000 HF
- Tecnogera - Batmov
- Zoomlion - ZT51JEH
Sustainability Award
WINNER
Mills, Brazil
The judges said 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.
Runners Up
- Aver Asia - 3 pronged approach
- Dingli - Sustainable development strategy
- Tecnogera - Battery reuse
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award
WINNER
Ammec Comercial, Mexico
The judges were impressed by this company’s support of migrants to develop skills and obtain employment, and those leaving the criminal justice system in Mexico City.
Runners Up
- Dayim Equipment Rental
- Mills
Access Rental Company of the Year
WINNER
GTAccess, UK
The judges were struck by the company’s growing delivery fleet, extensive training, its wide-ranging new fleet, as well as its new GTA customer live telematics, invoicing and certification portal, and major investment in sustainability.
Runners Up
- KDM Hire
- Mills
- Sunbelt Rentals
IPAF/Access International Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER
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.
Awards Judges
David Meeke
Training Manager, Highway Plant by Balloo Hire Centres
& Chairperson of the IPAF Irish Council
Kirsty Archbold-Laming
Director, Southern Hoist Services
Karel Huijser
General manager and vice president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME) JLG and President of IPAF
Abdullah Alghamdi
Compliance Coordinator of Saudi-Arabia-based oil & gas giant Aramco
Paola Palazzani
President, Palazzani
Awards Host
Barry Murphy
Multi award winning comedian and part of the Apres Match Trio.
