Winners of International Awards for Powered Access 2026 revealed in Istanbul

Brazilian rental pioneer Cristian Nacht, Manlift Middle East, İstanbul Vinç, Sunbelt Rentals UK and Trackunit were among the winners at the 2026 IAPA awards.

The awards were announced at a gala ceremony in Istanbul, Türkiye, attended by around 400 guests celebrating the companies, products and individuals helping to drive standards, innovation and safety across the global powered access industry.

Also winning awards were JLG, Genie, Platform Basket, Vietnam Rental, Palfinger, Standard Arabia Inspection, Alimak and Clem Jacob Hire.

Organised by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Rental & Access International, the IAPAs are an annual showcase of excellence across the powered access sector. This year’s awards attracted more than 140 entries from around the world, highlighting the breadth of innovation and expertise across the industry.

Winners at the 2026 IAPA awards in Istanbul.

The 13 award categories recognised achievements spanning product development, sustainability, safety, digital transformation, training excellence, and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

The full list of 2026 IAPAs winners were:

Access Rental Company of the Year: Manlift Middle East
The judges were impressed by Manlift’s strong safety, health, environment and quality culture, as well as its Commercial Curriculum initiative, Skills Matrix tool and continued development of its digital marketing presence. The judges also highlighted the company’s ongoing development of the Manlift Way philosophy and its strong support for IPAF.

IPAF/Rental & Access International Lifetime Achievement Award: Cristian Nacht
Cristian Nacht has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of the powered access industry in Brazil. Through his visionary leadership at Mills, he pioneered the introduction of MEWPs to the Brazilian market, helping to improve safety, productivity, and professional standards across the sector.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, he drove innovation, supported the growth of industry training and certification through IPAF, and played a key role in the development of important safety regulations, leaving a lasting legacy that has transformed both his company and the wider access industry.

The Kevin O’Shea Contribution to Safe Working at Height Award: Vietnam Rental – Safety Ecosystem
The judges praised Vietnam Rental’s Safety Ecosystem, which focuses on three key pillars: competent people, safe equipment and controlled working environments, supported by a range of initiatives designed to strengthen safety across the business.

Digital Development Award: Trackunit and Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland
The joint programme aims to improve the management, support and servicing of aerial platforms, using data and greater visibility to help make every rental experience smoother and more reliable. The judges highlighted the programme’s focus on improving decision-making through better use of data.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award: İstanbul Vinç
The judges recognised İstanbul Vinç’s commitment to creating an inclusive company culture, with a range of initiatives designed to bring employees together and embed EDI across the organisation.

IAPA Innovative Technology Award: JLG/Power Towers – LiftPod
The judges selected the LiftPod for its combination of a patented self-powered lifting mechanism and innovative foldable structure, enabling fast deployment, compact storage and easy manoeuvrability.

Sustainability Award: Clem Jacob Hire – Sustainability Transformation
The judges highlighted Clem Jacob Hire’s efforts to reduce environmental impact across its rental and training operations. A series of projects has resulted in significant changes across the business as part of its wider sustainability transformation.

Product of the Year – Mast Climbing Work Platforms/Hoists: Alimak – Scando 650a 40-46 S
The judges highlighted the hoist’s lightweight car design, increased payload and new C-door, alongside lower overall energy consumption, a new lift control system and optimised driving modes.

Product of the Year – Scissor Lifts & Vertical Masts: Genie – GS Slab Scissor Lift Next-Generation
The judges praised the new curved linkage scissor stack and a range of other design improvements developed through extensive analysis to eliminate rust, limit damage and reduce wear and tear.

Product of the Year – Self-Propelled Booms & Atrium Lifts: Platform Basket – Spider 54T
The judges singled out the 54m Spider 54T for its combination of exceptional performance and compact dimensions. Offering a 54-metre working height and up to 21 metres of outreach, the machine remains narrow and easy to transport.

Product of the Year – Vehicle/Trailer Mounted Platforms: Palfinger Platforms – PT 25 TJ
Part of Palfinger’s new TEC range, the PT 25 TJ was praised for its high payload capacity without the use of stabilisers, helping to make electric vehicle-mounted platforms an increasingly practical proposition.

IPAF Training Centre of the Year: Standard Arabia Inspection
The judges were impressed by the organisation’s achievements over the previous 12 months, including 47% year-on-year growth in certified operators and its leadership of Saudi Arabia’s largest-ever MEWP awareness initiative, alongside a range of other initiatives.

IPAF Training Instructor of the Year: Debbie Forbes – HSS Training
The judges said Debbie’s dedication to championing high standards, nurturing diverse talent and driving a safer, more inclusive industry made her a standout candidate.

Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director of IPAF, offered “huge congratulations” to all the finalists and winners; “The outstanding quality of this year’s entries is a real reflection of the energy, innovation and commitment within our industry.

The IAPAs are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the people, products and ideas that are helping to shape a safer, more sustainable and successful future for powered access. We’ve seen some truly inspiring achievements this year, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what the industry brings to the 2027 awards. I’m sure next year will be bigger, more ambitious and just as exciting.”

The judges

This year’s judging panel comprised Dr Ren Hui, Vice President of Zoomlion Group and Founder and General Manager of Zoomlion Access; Shaikha Ben Mahfoudh, Head of Training at Dayim Equipment Rental; Kai Schliephake, President of IPAF and CEO & Managing Director of PartnerLift; Stephanie Erasmus, owner of Kwick Access Rentals; and Abdullah Tuncer, Founder and Deputy Secretary General of Platformder and IPAF Country Manager for Türkiye.

The IAPAs form part of IPAF’s wider programme of events bringing together professionals from across the global powered access industry to share knowledge, celebrate achievement and explore the latest developments shaping the sector.

For more information about the awards and this year’s finalists, visit www.iapa-summit.info.

In 2027, the IPAF Summit & IAPAs will be held in Budapest, Hungary. Entries for the 2027 IAPAs will open shortly.