IAPA shortlist in summary - each entry detailed

Following the announcement of the shortlist for the International Awards for Powered Access 2024 in January, Access International can now share a summary of each shortlisted entry to provide a unique insight into the latest developments in our sector, across equipment, safety, digital developments, sustainablity and more.

Taking place 14 March in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the same day as the IPAF Summit, the 2024 edition of the IAPAs is set to celebrate the access industry at its best. 

There was an outstanding response this year, with 130 entries received across 13 award categories. A judging panel of five longstanding industry experts chose the shortlist during a meeting in mid-January.  

Event organisers Access International and IPAF would like to thank the judges for all their efforts and the those who took the time to enter. As usual the quality of entries was incredibly high, therefore do not be put off entering again for the 2025 IAPAs if you did not make it onto the shortlist this time. 

For more information about the IAPAs and the IPAF Summit, visit the event website.

The IAPA 2024 shortlist:

ACCESS RENTAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR

AFI Rentals, UK
During 2023 AFI was the first to market with the Smart Off-hire Technology Project that allowed end-users to off-hire their machine by scanning a MEWP-specific QR code. The company also implemented the Machine Availability Checking System; a robust live report system that works in real-time from mobiles or desktops and displayed on large screens in AFI fulfilment centres.

Dayim Equipment Rentals, Saudi Arabia
Achievements include a purpose-built secondary guarding system for the aviation industry, having the youngest MEWP fleet in the country, being the only KSA-based rental company to have IPAF and IADC accreditation with TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation), along with a commitment to electrifying 30% of its fleet by 2025.

Kiloutou, France
The company launched an e-commerce website in France and customer portal MyKiloutou. In 2023 it also acquired Denmark-based GSV and Vendap, in Portugal, along with two further buyouts in Germany. Kiloutou also continued its digital transformation with Apizee, an online conference with customers to solve technical issues remotely, and introduced Europe’s first electric heavy duty delivery truck.

Mills, Brazil
Initiatives include a specific devotion to safety, being the first company in the sector in Brazil to commit to the SBTi (Science Based Targets) initiative and the first Brazilian rental company to offer a CO₂ platform calculating emissions, along with introducing the TransFormar scholarships programme and launch of an algorithm to predict battery maintenance needs.

CONTRIBUTION TO SAFE WORKING AT HEIGHT

Electroelsa – Parachute device
The Parachute can be installed on transport platforms, mast climbers and hoists to detect missing mounting bolts on mast sections and stop the machine if one is found. The mast section that is not correctly assembled is then slightly raised to reveal the issue that caused the machine to stop. In the past, 99% of related accidents have been caused by the failure to fit bolts, according to the company.

Gravity Joe - Pneumatic balancer
The system aims to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and is effortlessly installed on aerial platforms and can take a weight of up to 18kg, allowing operators to work safely, boost productivity in drilling, coring, and screwing applications, among others, to enable solo operation at heights. and allowing a second operator to manage other tasks in the basket.

Haulotte – Fastn
In 2023 the company introduced the FASTN that alerts the operator when they are not safely connected to it in the basket. In 2024 the company will launch the Haulotte Dual Reach – a restricted envelope that allows the load capacity of the machine to raise from 250kg up to 350kg and tilt from 4° to 6°. In addition, safety KPIs are now part of the Sherpal Pilot telematics solution offering weather forecast and electric line detection.

Sunbelt Rentals - Projects & initiatives
Sunbelt has introduced an external team to deliver work at height safety training and upskilling and introduced a range of safety devices, including EQSS OverWatch secondary guarding, Nationwide’s Harness On’, Skyjack’s XStep and JLG’s SkySense. Following a £1m investment, all new machines have telematics/access control as standard and the Engage for Life and Safety Weeks initiative add to the culture.

THE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

CTE - MP 20 Ev
Launched in the last quarter of 2022, CTE’s MP 20 Ev was the first 100% electric truck mounted platform on 3.5 tonne chassis, with 20m working height. In partnership with Green-G Electric Vehicles the platform is mounted on a zero-emission commercial vehicle, the ecarry.

Dingli - ‘Future Factory’
The OEM’s ecosystem is derived from Green travel by employees, its new factory park that saves 1.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, intelligent manufacturing with automate bending, welding, machining, spraying and final assembly lines, a remanufacturing factory and a full range of electric and hybrid products.

Niftylift - Hydrogen-Electric (H2E)
Being the first MEWP manufacturer to integrate hydrogen fuel cell technology into its products, the H2E’s hydrogen fuel cell fully charges the batteries from one G20 Hydrogen bottle, doubling the machine’s range while emitting no CO2 or other pollutants. The bottle is quick and easy to replace.

Trackunit - Emissions Reporting
The tool responds to the urgent need for automated tracking of emissions from construction equipment. It is built on a ‘no machine left behind’ principle and does the complex work of capturing CO2 emissions from every make and model of gas-powered and electric equipment, even when data is limited, lowering carbon footprint and savings costs on fuel.

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Cramo - SmartControl Sustainability Services
The service offers an easy solution to rent and return lifts on site. Cramo will deliver a selection of lifts to a job site and rentals. Using the SmartControl function on the Cramo app, the user receives a PIN code to allow access to a certain lift, reducing emissions, saving costs, and making lift rental fast and safe.

JCB – LiveLink
JCB spent 18 months creating LiveLink Next Generation connecting to 100% of JCB machines, other manufacturer’s equipment to allow a comprehensive mixed fleet, and delivering simplified data driven actionable insights with the overall vision of adopting a digital first approach and working beyond telematics.

Kiloutou – YOUSE
Offering a scalable solution for its clients to share their equipment with other contractors on the same worksite, a tracker with RFID reader is attached to each unit giving authorization of use in reserved time slots. It uses a digital platform and mobile app to reserve, lock/unlock the equipment.

Transgrua - QR/ NFC equipment check
A digital tool used by customers through a QR code or NFC touch, with contents dedicated to each MEWP model. The tool gives the operator several options: checking the machine, workplace, downloading the manual and familiarisation without any type of download or installation of apps.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI)

Dayim Equipment Rentals
Dayim has promoted diversity and gender equality in the workplace, contributing to societal advancement in the KSA through equitable hiring practices. This includes encouraging women to take on roles traditionally dominated by men, such as working in workshops and recognising the importance of skill development for all employees and promoting work-life balance through various initiatives.

Dinolift
The company has introduced Personal Development Plans, with each employee having a personalized roadmap for growth, along with its Elements of AI course - a company-wide incentive with immediate reward for course completion. It has also introduced Supporting Education Locally for local students, learning initiatives, and monthly coaching sessions for supervisors, along with promoting ‘responsibility’ in the community.

Mills
The TransFormar Program is a commitment to making a positive impact by generating social impact, education and employability for vulnerable young people. It offers technical and vocational scholarships to the 24% of young people in the country who neither study nor work. In addition, TransFormar works with customers and suppliers to generate more opportunities.

Terex
At its 2023 leadership conference, Terex introduced a Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy. The company’s DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Site Roadmaps provide actions to support the strategy, while the 10 “I Will” statements encourage team members to feel safe, supported and valued and training is provided to leaders and managers across the business, among others.

IAPA INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PRIZE

Dingli - BT44ERT
This telescopic boom lift is pure electric, with a working height of 44.4m and dual capacity of 300kg and 454kg and the tallest electric boom in the industry. The “X” shaped axle can be expanded without driving. There is a 230°amplitude angle of the jib, which can be hooked back for container transport, and full redundancy of electronic control software and hardware.

France Elevateur - Live line truck mount
The off-road aerial device can work on a 400 kV live line working on transmission lines according to the EN 61057 standard. It has a 41m working height, 360kg load, and is mounted on a 32 tonne 8-wheel truck. The bi-energy power allows power take off and 12 complete cycles in fully electric. There is ultra high structure rigidity to avoid movement during work.

Trackunit - Access Management System
The system combines Bluetooth, QR codes, operator profiles, and external APIs for secure and compliant equipment operations. Users can increase productivity and save time by remotely managing equipment access across projects, plus it enables operator access with a mobile app offering a choice of trusted digital keys.

Trojan Battery Company - AES batteries
The new design lasts three times longer than standard AGM units, working in extreme temperatures, and withstanding repetitive partial state of charge. It features technological advancements, including a proprietary carbon additive to preserve the negative active material. It also incorporates additives and Deep Cycle Series (DCS) technology to prevent the degradation of the positive materials.

IPAF/Access International Lifetime Achievement Award
To be announced at the ceremony.