IAPA 2023 award winners announced

IAPA 2023 winners

The winners of the 2023 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) have been announced at a packed ceremony in Berlin tonight.

Taking place at the H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz, this was the first time the event had been held in Germany’s capital.

There were 13 award categories in the 2023 IAPAs, including a new category, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award, inspired by IPAF’s Women in Powered Access initiative.

The winners were chosen by a five-strong judging panel, with decades of experience in the industry.

It was also revealed at the ceremony that the host location for the IAPA awards in 2024 will be Copenhagen, Denmark.

The 2023 winners are as follows:

Access Rental Company of the Year

Sunbelt Rentals, UK

Judges noted Sunbelt’s major investment in a sustainable, Stage V and NRMM-compliant powered access fleet, coupled with a customer satisfaction rating of 4.53, up from 4.44 previously. The company received its 11th consecutive RoSPA Gold Medal Award in 2022, complementing annual growth of 15%.

Contribution to Safe Working at Height

Nationwide Platforms, UK

Judges decided in favour of Nationwide on the basis of a track record of introducing safety innovations, in addition to which 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 other schemes to maintain an effective workforce, and extensively refurbished its training facilities.

The Sustainability Award

Genie, USA

Judges commented on sustainability projects aimed at reducing Genie’s environmental footprint, including intensity reduction goals of 15% by 2024. A new facility in Monterrey, Mexico, is being built to LEED Silver standards to minimise heat absorption, reduce energy use and enable alternative forms of transportation.

Digital Development Award

Alimak, Sweden - My Alimak

The judges praised the web portal’s versatility and range of provisions, including complex machine information, BIM modelling, the Alicalc online stress calculation tool, IoT usage data, remote machine service log, among many others.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award

Vicki Allen – International Platforms, UK

Having worked for almost 20 years in the access platform industry, including 12 years as used equipment manager at Genie and four years at rental company AJ Access, Vicki is a trailblazer for women both in and joining the industry, and is committed to the personal development of all employees.

Innovative Technology Prize

Nationwide Platforms, UK – Harness On, Phase 2

Described as a ‘seatbelt’ for MEWPs, this 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 guard rails, without which, the machine won’t work.

Product of the Year categories:

Mast-Climbing Work Platforms and Hoists

Maber Hoist, Italy – MBC2000 transport platform

The new version of Maber’s 2,000kg transport platform/material hoist was introduced at bauma 2022. It features low-absorption (maximum 18/32 amps) to address lack of power availability on work sites, a 3m C, a protective roof that opens and a handy mast guard.

Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Platforms

MEC, USA – MMAE16 vertical mast lift

Judges said that 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 delivering energy efficiency and zero possibility of hydraulic oil leaks.

Self-propelled Booms and Atrium Lifts

Manitou, France – 160 ATJ+e electric boom lift

Judges praised this updated all-electric machine, with a range extender allowing work for a week on a job site without refilling the seven-litre tank. Usage data of the E-xtra generator and batteries are available through Manitou Easy Manager, plus there’s a range of new safety features.

Vehicle and Trailer-mounted Platforms

Elliott Equipment Company, USA – E150i truck mount

US utility transmission construction/maintenance typically require the two or three machines – a MEWP (non-insulated) capable of working in extreme environments; a material handler or light-duty crane; and an ANSI Category A insulated MEWP capable of working on live power lines. This machine combines capabilities of all three – winning over the judges.

IPAF member companies and individuals:

IPAF Training Centre of the Year

Dayim Equipment Rentals, Saudi Arabia

The judges said Dayim has experienced record growth as a training centre and is market leader in Saudi Arabia. It caters for a range of different languages and has become accredited by the Saudi government and is the go-to trainer for mega projects in the Kingdom.

IPAF Training Instructor of the Year

Anna Sarah Costa Morais – Mills, Brazil

The judges said, “Sarah was Mills’ top trainer in 2022 and works proactively to enhance trainee and co-workers experience, as well as encouraging and developing roles for women in the workplace.”

Access International/IPAF Lifetime Achievement Award Dante Fracca, Hinowa, Italy.  Dante Fracca Presenting the award, Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director of IPAF, said, “The recipient of this award has been described by his colleagues as a great innovator and a charismatic leader who continued to create innovative products even in the toughest of times, for example during the financial crisis that began in 2008 and the more recent Covid pandemic. This person’s family has been in the machinery business for many decades. His father started the COFRA company in 1950, focusing on excavators mounted on Chevrolet chassis, before expanding into hydraulic tracked excavators and undercarriages. Then, the winner of tonight’s award shifted the business from large construction machinery to the distribution and retail of gardening products, when he founded a new company Agri 3. In 1987 our winner changed the name of the company - this time to become the manufacturer that we all know today as Hinowa. In 1992 the company moved to a new headquarters and in 1998 started to sell aerial platforms. Then in 2003, Hinowa produced its first tracked platform - the Goldlift 14.70. There have been many landmarks in the life of Hinowa and its founder, who we celebrate here tonight, as the company went from strength to strength, to become the major international company and innovator we know today. Apart from impressive organic growth, Hinowa has created major partnerships, ranging from signing a deal with JLG in 2010 to supply spider lifts and in 2013 with Kubota to provide mini dumpers. Today, Hinowa boasts a 90,000 square foot production site and employs 260 people. Earlier this year JLG’s parent company Oshkosh completed its acquisition of Hinowa. But this is by no means the end for Hinowa, which will continue to operate in its own name. However, it does reflect yet another significant landmark in the career of tonight’s winner of the lifetime achievement award.