IPAF Elevando España 2026
IPAF Elevando España, held on 5 February 2026 in Madrid, was once again a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders, professionals and partners to reinforce IPAF’s commitment to safety, training excellence and the continued professionalisation of the powered access sector.
The event was organised by the IPAF team in Spain: Ainara Greño, Romina Vanzi, Diego Bustamante, Catalina Ayerbe, Antonio Barbosa and Renato Pereira, and included the presentation of the third edition of the IPAF Awards.
Third IPAF Awards
The continued growth of IPAF Elevando España was reflected in record attendance and strong industry support.
Premium sponsors: Socage, CTE, Multitel
Gold sponsors: Ahern Ibérica, Alba, JCB, RB Componentes, LGMG, Smopyc
Silver sponsors: Genie, Implaser, Platform Parts
Collaborators: Movicarga, IRSST
Strengthening IPAF’s Position in Spain
Bernardo Gómez, President of the IPAF Council in Spain, shared the strategic vision for the coming years, inviting reflection on what differentiates IPAF from other training programmes. He described IPAF as a premium brand that must operate at the highest level and continue to consolidate its position in Spain, as it already has in many international markets.
He emphasised that this can only be achieved through continuous, collaborative work, with training centres, instructors, companies and professionals acting as ambassadors for IPAF. With a growing shortage of qualified personnel in the sector, recognised and high-quality training is more essential than ever. Belonging to IPAF, he stressed, is both a responsibility and a source of pride.
International Growth and Activity
Ainara Greño, IPAF Representative in Spain, highlighted the organisation’s international reach and growth:
- 1,975 IPAF members worldwide at the end of 2025 (+282 year on year)
- 83+ countries with IPAF presence
- 90% of global MEWP manufacturers represented by IPAF members
- 728 training centres, with 80 new centres added in 2025
- 228,796 people trained globally in 2025
- 3 million PAL Cards issued
In 2025 alone, IPAF delivered:
- 509 registered attendees at flagship events
- 32 webinars, 11 more than in 2024
- 146 industry events attended
- 1,596 attendees at Elevating events
- 9 Elevating events across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East
2026 Key Dates
IPAF will maintain this international momentum in 2026, with participation at major trade fairs and events including SICUR, Conexpo, the IPAF Summit and IAPAs (to be held in Istanbul on 21–22 April), IPAF Elevating Brazil, and IPAF Elevating Mexico.
Safety at the Core
Safety campaigns remain a cornerstone of IPAF’s work. These initiatives are developed in response to recurring accident patterns, using real data to address root causes and prevent incidents before they happen.
Greño also introduced the #ShareYourStory campaign, encouraging the anonymous reporting of accidents, near misses and hazardous situations to help the industry learn collectively.
IPAF Rental+
Romina Vanzi, Head of Regional Development, presented IPAF Rental+, IPAF’s quality standard and certification for rental companies. Supported by a comprehensive 70-page practical guide, Rental+ covers the full rental lifecycle, from administration and fleet management to maintenance, inspections, finance, training and customer service.
IPAF Rental+ is designed as a continuous improvement system that:
- Enhances service quality and customer confidence
- Improves efficiency and consistency
- Supports regulatory compliance
- Provides competitive differentiation
The standard is already being implemented in the market, with Maxber beginning its certification process.
IPAF Global Safety Report
Diego Bustamante, Latin America Regional Manager, presented the IPAF Global Safety Report, a vital tool for identifying accident trends and developing targeted safety campaigns.
Key data highlights:
- 2024: 1,099 reports from 34 countries, 126 fatalities
- 2025: 846 reports from 36 countries, 84 fatalities
The report is continuously updated and based on anonymous submissions, reinforcing the shared responsibility for improving safety across the industry.
Technology, AI and the Future of the Sector
The event also explored the rapid digital transformation of the machinery sector. Carolina Domínguez (ARBENTIA) demonstrated how AI-powered tools, built on Microsoft technologies, can improve safety, traceability and decision-making through intelligent assistants for operators, support teams and risk assessment.
The forward-looking theme continued with Javier Sirvent, Technology Evangelist, who delivered a powerful message: innovation is already here. AI, robotics and autonomous systems are transforming how we work today, not tomorrow.
MEWP Manufacturers: Market Outlook
A manufacturers’ roundtable, moderated by Macarena García (Movicarga), brought together leading OEMs including CTE, Socage, Multitel, JLG, JCB, LGMG and Genie. The discussion highlighted:
- Strong market growth and increasing maturity in Spain
- Rising safety requirements and digitalisation
- The growing importance of after-sales service and technical training
- A clear move towards connected, smarter and more specialised machines
