IPAF reports record membership growth amid tough training year

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has released its Annual Report for the year 2025, coinciding with its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place during the APEX show this week. 

Pre-use inspection being demonstrated to operator trainees. (Image: IPAF)

Continuing its mission to promote and enable the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide, in 2025, IPAF membership grew by 8.6%, reresenting a record net 157 new members, bringing total membership to 1,957 across 83 countries. Bangladesh and Guatemala became the latest territories to join IPAF, while Iraq dropped off.

Despite this, 2025 was a difficult year for the IPAF training programme – five years on from the Covid-19 lockdowns, fewer operators renewed their PAL Cards, as training was not permitted for parts of 2020. IPAF members trained 228,796 people during the year, which was 1,568 less than in 2024.

Facts and figures:

• IPAF’s Stop Overturns! global safety campaign raised awareness on risks associated with unsuitable ground conditions.
• More than 1 million downloads of the IPAF ePAL app, across 205 countries, with 72% of licences issued digitally.
• For the first time, over 50% of IPAF’s revenue was generated outside the UK.
• The new and improved MEWP Operator Training Course won four awards, and IPAF released a new MEWP Spotter Training Course.
• New markets in Guatemala and Bangladesh; 39% of training applications from outside the UK; with the addition of Greece in 2025.
• Turnover decreased by £29.9k (-0.3%), largely due to a reduction in training volumes.
• New audit system Cluetec introduced to enhance efficiency, transparency and value for members.
• IPAF released four new or revised technical guidance documents, seven Toolbox Talks, two safety videos, two safety campaigns and its Global Safety Report 2025.

The IPAF Annual Report 2025 has been published to coincide with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and is available in multiple languages as a digital download via www.ipaf.org/annual-report

AGM Highlights

The following elections were voted in during the AGM:

• Peter Douglas, Julie Houston Smyth, Kai Schliephake and Pedro Torres.
  New IPAF President: Kai Schliephake, PartnerLIFT 
• New Deputy President: Pedro Torres, Alayan Rentals
• New Vice President: Julie Houston Smyth, Lolex 
• Immediate Past President: Karel Huijser, Orbio Solution
• New Board Director: Cameron Reid, Alimak Group
• New Board Director: Paola Palazanni, Palazanni Industrie
• New Council Member: Darwei He, Hunan Sinoboom Intelligent Equipment 
• New Council Member: Susan Huang, Dingli
• New Council Member: Jonathan Dawson, JLG 
• New Council Member: Laurent Montenay, MEC

IPAF Founder Award 2026

The award is given each year in honour of our founder and first member Paul Adorian. This year, the award went to Abdullah Mustafa of Bureau Link Training Academy, based in the UAE. Mustafa established the company in 2017 with a clear vision of delivering internationally accredited training in the UAE. From the outset, he demonstrated strong commitment to aligning his academy with global best practice, and he chose to partner with IPAF as part of that journey.

Beyond training delivery, he also demonstrates genuine care for the workforce. During the holy month of Ramadan, he regularly provides dinner packs to local workers, reflecting his personal commitment to supporting the community he serves.