Just two weeks until the IAPAs

In just under two weeks the winners of the first IAPAs (International Awards for Powered Access) will be announced. The event will take place at the dinner which follows the IPAF Summit, this year held in Dublin Ireland on 2 April. Don't miss the opportunity to be there; book your place today at www.khl.com/iapa.

The shortlisted companies in each category, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

IPAF Safety Champion of the Year
Ken McDougall, Skyjack (Canada)
Kevin O'Shea, Mastclimbers (US)
Andy Studdert, NES
Andy Wright, Lavendon Group (UK)

The Access Rental Company of the Year
A-Plant (UK)
Lavendon Group (UK)
LTECH (Russia)
Nacanco (Italy)
Riwal (Netherlands)

The Access International New Product of the Year
Edmolift (T-zip Micro)
Genie Industries (S-60 Trax/S-65 Trax)
JLG Industries (Liftpod)
Mecaplus (articulated boom)
Niftylift (Height Rider HR21DE Bi-Energy)

Contribution to Safe Working at Height - Rental Company
A-Plant (UK)
Lavendon Group (UK)
SGB Group (UK)

Contribution to Safe Working at Height - Manufacturer
JLG UK
Merlo (Italy)
Skyjack (Canada)

Mast Climbing Work Platform Achievement Award
Mastclimbers Inc (US)
SGB Group (UK)

Access Industry Training Award
Alo Rental/Alo Training (Chile)
A-Plant (UK)
CTE (Italy)
JLG (UK)

IPAF/Access International Lifetime Achievement Award
To be announced on the night.

Best Marketing Campaign for IPAF Training
Alo Rental/Alo Training (Chile)
Vismara (Switzerland)
WEMO-tec GmbH (Germany)

IPAF Instructor of the Year
Roy Funk (Hoj Engineering & Sales, US)
Larry Nancarrow (Skyjack, Canada)
Mauro Potrich (CTE, Italy)

Chairman of the judging panel, Murray Pollok, said the judges had been impressed by the standard of many of the total 68 entries received from more than 55 companies worldwide; "It's the first time we have held the powered access awards, and our expectations - in terms of the number and quality of entries - have been exceeded. It has been great so see so much innovation, commitment to safety and professionalism in the industry."

IPAF's John Ball said the event was on course to attract over 300 people from all over the world, making it the largest IPAF Summit ever; "It's going to be a great day for networking and creating business opportunities. It also gives manufacturers unique access to a larger range of customers this year, at a relatively low cost."

The IPAF Summit conference programme will include presentations by United Rental's chief executive officer Michael Kneeland and Pat Cox, former president of the European parliament.

To book your place at the Summit and IAPA awards, contact Jean Harrison at IPAF, Tel: +44 (0)15395 62444, E-Mail: Jean.Harrison@ipaf.org, or visit www.khl.com/iapa