Complete IAPA Awards shortlist announced

Winners celebrate at the end of the 2022 IAPA awards in London, UK.

The panel of five industry experts has revealed the shortlist for the 2023 IAPA Awards, naming both the companies and individuals for 13 award categories.

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on 20 April, on the evening of the IPAF Summit in Germany. Both events will be at the H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz.

There was another outstanding response from the industry to the 2023 awards, with more than 120 entries received.

The 13 categories in the 2023 IAPAs programme range from new products and innovations to sustainability and safety. 

This year also sees the introduction of a new category; the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award, inspired by IPAF’s Women in Powered Access initiative.

2023 IAPA Awards Shortlist:

Access Rental Company of the Year

Horizon Construction Development, China

Having opened rental channels in its domestic market and abroad, revitalised equipment utilisation, while providing equipment management services, the company is also setting up in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries to lay the foundation for overseas investment and M&A.

Mills, Brazil

Latin America’s largest rental company has completed the merger with second largest Solaris and maintained healthy margins in the still recovering market of Brazil. The company has a 69% market share of IPAF training in Brazil and was awarded Great Place to Work (GPTW) for the second consecutive year.

Nationwide Platforms, UK

As well as introducing safety innovations, 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 others schemes to maintain an effective workforce and refurbished its training facilities. Sunbelt Rentals, UK

A major investment in a sustainable, Stage V and NRMM-compliant powered access fleet, coupled with a customer satisfaction rating of 4.44, up from 4.44 previously and its 11th consecutive RoSPA Gold Medal Award in 2022, have all complemented year-on-year growth of 15%.

IPAF Summit speakers announced This year’s Summit theme is ‘The Future’ 

The Sustainability Award

Haulotte, France

Manufacturer focused on spare part delivery to reduce carbon footprint through recycled and reusable packaging, new packaging derived from FSC certified forests, systematic reuse of almost all delivered packaging and replacing plastic packaging with paper or cardboard, among other solutions.

Genie, USA

Sustainability projects are reducing Genie’s international environmental footprint, including global intensity reduction goals of 15% by 2014. Its new Monterrey, Mexico facility is being constructed to LEED Silver standards to minimise heat absorption, reduce energy and encourage alternative forms of transportation.

MEC, USA

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, all delivering high level energy efficiency and zero hydraulic oil leak.

Palfinger Platforms, Germany

Palfinger has developed a simple and cost-effective retrofit solution for truck mounts. It allows use of existing vehicles with combustion engines, while making the operation of the platform emission-free by providing batteries and electric motor coupled to a hydraulic pump.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award

Dayim Equipment Rentals, Saudi Arabia

This rental company is a pioneer in employing and empowering women in the workplace in a male-centric country, and industry. In addition, the company actively employs people from different ethnicities and backgrounds to gain fom their experience and skills.

Mills, Brazil

Major undertaking to support and develop employees include achieving Women on Board certificate and becoming part of the Teva Mulheres na Líderança index of companies with the highest representation of women in leadership.

Vicki Allen – International Platforms, UK

Having worked for almost twenty years in the access platform industry, including twelve years as used equipment manager at Genie and four years at rental company AJ Access, Vicki Allen has also become a trailblazer for women in and joining the industry and is committed to the personal development of all employees.

Contribution to Safe Working at Height

Manitou, France

The Reduce programme is dedicated to improving the safety and productivity of machine users. Reduce Risks includes safety features to prevent risky behaviours, incorporating popup notifications and audio signals, as well as informing fleet managers via telematics. There is also a lighting system.

Nationwide Platforms, UK

The new Harness On Intelligent Anchor Point (IAP) combines with the return of the rental company’s Working at Height Best Practice Convention 2022 and the education of customers and regulator to improve knowledge and understanding, among other practices.

Protective Pty, Australia

The Shield Scissor and Shield Up secondary guarding systems have been developed in collaboration with major OEM’s and customer and regulatory body feedback to offer the latest in sensor technology and prevent incidents before they occur. Its proximity detection system GoUpSafely also received upgrades.

Sunbelt Rentals, UK

Sunbelt supports IPAF globally, delivering its courses, as well as holding dedicated employee Safety Weeks. It participates in the IPAF-accredited apprenticeship scheme, has invested £1 million in fleet-wide telematics and access control, works alongside Tier 1 construction companies and offers technical publications.

Digital Development Award

Alimak, Sweden

My Alimak is a customer portal with several digital services including machine information, service contacts, BIM modelling, technical information, the Alicalc online stress calculation tool, IoT usage data, error and alert logs, usage across different time zones, remote machine stings and service log, among others.

Digiquip, Norway

Digiquip is a digital platform that centralises information and training needs for rental companies and contractors with the challenges associated with familiarisation and competence documentation. Customers use their smartphones, tablets or PCs and QR codes to receive equipment-specific training.

Nationwide Platforms, UK

The my.NationwidePlatforms suite allows users to manage their accounts online, from creating or amending orders to making use of telemetry data. The rental company can also integrate with a customer’s ERP through its proprietary API. The initiative was launched to improve and optimise customer experience of the hire journey.

Serious Labs, Canada

The virtual reality MEWP training simulator fully replicates the latest US ANSI/SAIA 92.24 assessment standards that can be used to evaluate and certify new operators. The vision is that an operator can complete their theory training, practice controls and complete their ANSI-compliant evaluation and certification on the simulator.

Innovative Technology Prize

Mateco Romania – troubleshooting ecosystem

The ‘remote learning & trouble shooting ecosystem’ MySmartService mobile APP integrates the latest M400 Vuzix Smart Glasses Extended Range with XR1 platform to provide hands-free experience for users who need remote support and communication with a master engineer/trainer located in a central location.

Nationwide Platforms, UK – Harness On, Phase 2

Described as the ‘seatbelt’ for MEWPs, harness ON Intelligent Anchor Point (IAP) Phase 2 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 to the machine rails. Without this connection the machine will not work.

Protective PTY, Australia – Scissor shield

MEWP Shield Scissor is a secondary guarding/crush protection system protecting all occupants from overhead and shearing hazards. Utilising ultrasonic detection combined with patented filtering technology, is keeps operators safe, while minimising property damage and lost productivity due to incidents.

New IAPA equality, diversity and inclusion category announced The EDI award is now open for entries and celebrates the creation of truly diverse workplaces 

Product of the Year: Mast-Climbing Work Platforms and Hoists

Alba-Macrel Group, Spain – PMH passenger & materials hoist

Suitable for large-scale buildings, with a capacity of 3,200kg, it is available in several cabin sizes and offers remote connection for management and diagnosis. To double capacity an additional specifical cabin can be installed on the same 650 square mast. The control panel has two options: “automatic” or “hold-to-run”.

Maber Hoist, Italy – MBC2000 transport platform

The new version of Maber’s 2,000kg transport platform/material hoist was introduced during Bauma 2022. New is low absorption maximum 18/32 Amps to address lack of power availability on jobsites, a large C door of 3m, a protection roof that opens and a handy mast guard.

Torgar, Spain – PW-18 mast climber

Robust and heavy-duty. Single mast configuration offers up to 11.6m and 2,100kg load capacity. Twin mast configuration up to 35.1m in length and 3,900kg load capacity. The 1.3m cantilever deck width gives users ample space. Available in triangular and square mast sections with height of 200m and 250m.

XL Industries, France – XE5 Top-Down Hoist

Designed to provide mechanised access to the pit bottom by adding mast sections from the platform as it descends. The mast can be extended from inside the car while not interrupting the excavation work. The hoist and operator lands on the pit bottom autonomously without any other means of access.

Product of the Year: Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Platforms

JLG/Power Towers, USA/UK – Power Tower Duo

The world’s first pusharound scaffold tower replacement can take two operators indoors and one outdoors. It deploys patented mechanical stabilisers automatically when the machine is elevated. Added stability does not significantly increase weight so it is easy to push around and allows for optional accessories.

MEC, USA – MMAE16 vertical mast lift

The all-electric MMAE16 provides 9.5 hours on a continuous duty cycle test – amounting to three full shifts with less charging time. The power savings and longer duty cycles mean less power generation. There is also zero chance of hydraulic leaks on the worksite.

Skyjack, Canada – E Series vertical mast lift

The Next Generation Vertical Mast Lift offers zero emission, variable speed direct AC electric drive and new mast design. Drivable at full height, less hydraulic connection points and increased duty cycles. It includes a unique traversing platform and variable speed direct AC electric drive.

Product of the Year: Self propelled Booms and Atrium Lifts

Almacrawler, Italy – Jibbi 1890 Primo self-levelling boom lift

The first full electric boom with fully removable power unit - a battery pack designed to contain the charger. Removing it takes exactly the same time it would take to fill a gas tank. It features the Ultrasonic Anti-Collision System positioned on the ground that acts as “eyes on the ground”. The sensors stop the unit and communicates to the operator in the basket.

Hinowa, Italy – Llightlift 40.18 spider lift

The new basket is larger and more comfortable and measures 2m x 0.7m - enough space for three people plus accessories, granting a maximum capacity of 300kg. Despite the 40.2m working height it has a compact stabilisation area. The key feature is the ratio between machine dimensions and weight and reachable height and outreach.

Manitou, France – 160 ATJ+e electric boom lift

Comprehensive update of 100% electric machine with range extender allowing work for a week on a job site without refilling the 7 litre tank. The data usage of the E-xtra generator and batteries will be available through Manitou Easy Manager, and there are a range of new safety features.

Product of the Year: Vehicle and Trailer-mounted Platforms

Elliott Equipment Company, USA – E150i truck mount

Thre in one machine for US utility transmission construction and maintenance jobs - a construction aerial (non-insulated) for extreme environments; a material handler or light duty crane; and an ANSI Category A insulating aerial capable of working on live high voltage power lines.

France Elévateur, France – UPTO 15 van-mounted platform

The UPTO features the first use of HLE S960 steel with 1.8 mm thickness and laser welding on van mounted equipment. There is an independent basket levelling system, turret capable of 1000 V, basket rotation on all fly jib positions and hollow rod cylinders.

Ruthmann Holdings, Germany – Steiger Ampero TBR 260 E

The proven 100% electric Ampero is now available on a standard series electric Iveco eDaily chassis. The model is the highest performing electric truck mount offers a working height of 26m and outreach of 17m. Autonomy is 150km and 30 full working cycles.

Palfinger Platforms, Germany – All-terrain Unimog-mounted platform

The All-Terrain Black Edition vertical stabilisers spaced just 2.4m apart – the width of the vehicle. A stabiliser stroke of 1,300mm enables tough jobs on slopes. Stabiliser operation is possible from the base and basket. Lateral outreach of 16.9m means it is not necessary to reposition the vehicle. 

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