Europlatform to focus on new directions

The Europlatform access rental conference will be held on 25 September 2014 at the Hotel im Wasserturm in Cologne, Germany. This year’s theme is 'Positive Thinking: New Directions in Access Rental'.

Europlatform is a one-day conference targeted at senior and middle managers of rental companies with access fleets. It is organised by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) with Access International as exclusive media partner.

The conference is continuing its tradition of attracting top-level speakers. Don Ahern, CEO of Ahern Rentals and owner of Snorkel, will provide an owner’s perspective on the relationship between rental companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Access veteran Gordon McGruer, owner of Kardon Kontracts, will speak on the management of big booms in his presentation, “180-foot booms: New category, new ownership models”.

Grigory Griff, CEO of Fortrent, will discuss a case study in rental cooperation, showing how two major rental companies can work together on a single project.

Also speaking is Wayne Lawson, a former vice-president and managing director at JLG and now regional director at Riwal, who will tap on his expertise from both the manufacturing and rental sectors.

Euan Youdale, editor of Access International, will present rental figures from the Access 50 listing of the world’s biggest access equipment rental companies and from the IPAF rental market reports.

Europlatform will include a roundtable discussion, and closing comments from IPAF president Steve Couling. The conference will be held in English, with simultaneous translation in German and Italian. It will be preceded by an evening networking reception on 24 September at the same venue.

“Europlatform is a ‘must’ for European owners and managers of access rental fleets to network with their peers across the continent and get fresh ideas about how to jumpstart their management and operational procedures,” said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman.

More details on the venue and registration are at www.europlatform.info. “Early bird” conference rates are available until 4 September, so book your ticket and accommodation now.