IPAF Publishes Annual Report 2025 & APPOINTS Kai Schliephake AS NEW IPAF PRESIDENT

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has released its Annual Report for the year 2025, coinciding with its Annual General Meeting (AGM).  

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% (a record net 157), 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: 

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

Looking ahead, IPAF remains committed to driving safety, digital innovation, and global training expansion.  

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: 

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

Thank you and goodbye to IPAF Council leavers:

• Jacco De Kluijver (Genie)
• Ben Hirst (Horizon Platforms)
• Rahul Seth (Sudhir Power Limited)
• Karin Godenhielm (Dinolift)

IPAF Founder Award 2026

This award is given each year in honour of our founder and first member Mr Paul Adorian. Therefore, in Paul’s honour this year, the IPAF member who has gone above and beyond helping the industry in their region is a person who established his 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.

IPAF’s Founder Award winner for 2026 is Abdullah Mustafa of Bureau Link Training Academy.

IPAF President's Award 2026

The IPAF President’s Award is presented each year to a member of the IPAF team who has gone above and beyond in their contribution throughout the year. This year’s recipient is now in their fourth year with IPAF and has made an outstanding impact since joining the organisation. 

Under their leadership and influence, the region has experienced exceptional growth. PAL Card numbers have more than doubled over the past three years, reaching a record-breaking figure of more than 10,000 annually. Membership has also more than doubled 49 to 108 over the period which is a highly commendable achievement in a region of this size .By never accepting “no” for an answer, they have helped grow contractor membership in their region from 0 to 18 in just three years. This success has also contributed to a further 20 contractor memberships in other regions, as more organisations recognise the global value of IPAF membership.

The winner of this year's award goes to Damien O'Connor, IPAF's Irish Country Manager.