IAPA photo of the year – deadline looms

28 January 2014

There has been an outstanding response to the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPA) 2014, with more than 100 entries across 12 award categories.

That doesn’t include the Photograph of the Year award, which closes for entries on 31 January, so if you know of a great picture of powered access equipment in use over the last 12 months, please send it in.

The IAPA awards ceremony and dinner take place on the same day as the IPAF Summit conference, 3 April 2014, at the historic Beaumont Estate Hotel in Windsor, near London, UK, (just 15 minutes from Heathrow Airport).

Top speakers

Among the speakers confirmed for this prestigious event are Dave Smith, chair of the UK Contractors Group (UKCG), Health & Safety Leadership Group, and COO of Wates Construction - one of the UK’s largest contractors. The UKCG plays an active role in promoting the safe use of MEWPs and Dave will report on how contractors work to keep MEWP use safe and what they expect of their suppliers.

Also speaking is Bill Plummer, executive vice president and chief financial officer at United Rentals. Speaking together with Fred Bratman, United Rentals’ head of investor relations, Mr Plummer will review how the access and rental industries can best connect with investors and bankers.

Other speakers will be looking at what conclusions can be drawn from IPAF’s industry accident reporting programme, how to investigate accidents, and how best practice can be translated into reality on the modern job site.

The IAPAs and IPAF Summit regularly attract audiences of more than 450 each year, so make sure you are a part of it by booking your place at both events. For more information visit www.iapa-summit.info

Jointly organised by KHL’s Access International, Access Lift & Handlers and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), the IAPAs celebrate best practice and excellence in the powered access industry.

Idependent judges

As always the event boats an exceptional line-up of judges. The five of them have been drawn from around the world and offer long-standing and extensive experience of the access equipment industry across all its sectors. It goes without saying that the judging panel is independent and impartial, and will make its decisions based on the merit of each entry.

The judges are: Andries Schouten, managing director of HDW Nederland and Gunco; Craig Paylor, former president of JLG and current president/owner of US-based National Truck Body (NTB) Solutions; George Landsberg, managing director and owner of South African access equipment distribution company Goscor Hi-Reach; Gerhard Hillebrand, IPAF’s representative in Italy since 2004; and Steve Couling, managing director of TIME-Versalift, UK & Ireland and IPAF president.

Euan Youdale, Editor of Access International magazine is chairman of the judging panel, but will not play a part in the decision-making process.

The judges’ meeting to decide the shortlist and winners is taking place 4 February in London – the shortlist will be announced immediately afterwards.

Euan Youdale, editor of AI, said, “I would like to thank all the judges for agreeing to take part. Their extensive industry knowledge and experience will be of great value to the judging process and help make the 2014 IAPA awards a huge success.”