IPAF ANCH'IO 2026: Safety is a Business Choice

The fourth edition of IPAF ANCH'IO brought members of the powered access community together in Monticelli Brusati (BS) on 21-22 May 2026 for a fantastic event for the powered access sector in Italy.

Starting with an Instructors' Professional Development Seminar on 21 May, the event created space for industry leaders, trainers, manufacturers, rental companies and other stakeholders to reflect on the challenges facing the market and the decisions that will shape its future. 

On 22 May, the day opened with an official greeting from IPAF CEO & Managing Director Peter Douglas, who offered an international perspective on the role and excellence of the Italian sector.

Safety isn't a cost. It's a decision.

This was followed by an opening discussion dedicated to one of the most pressing issues facing the sector: the impact of economic pressure on safety. A talk show featuring industry leaders examined how rising costs, new tariffs, the geopolitical context and the lengthening life cycle of machinery are influencing, and at times testing, business decisions.

Rather than remaining an abstract debate, the session developed into a practical exchange grounded in data, direct experience and differing perspectives, reinforcing the importance of addressing these pressures openly in order to build credible responses.

"IPAF ANCH'IO 2026 showed just how committed this industry is to building a safer, stronger and more connected future," said Maurizio Quaranta, IPAF Regional Manager for Italy, Greece and Canton Ticino. “Safety isn’t a cost – it’s a decision. In a market shaped by rising costs, tariffs, longer machine life cycles and increasing pressure on margins, the real question facing businesses is not whether they can afford safety standards, but whether they can afford to compromise them. The central message of the 2026 edition was clear – safety is a strategic business choice that defines a company’s organisational model, vision and long-term future.”

Security as a system: a shared responsibility

The heart of the morning was dedicated to the pillars of safety, developed as a path that crosses the entire supply chain.

From design and production to rental, from training to maintenance and components, it's a systemic approach that reaffirms a simple but crucial truth: that safety isn't the responsibility of one person alone, but the result of a functioning supply chain.

An interactive session then involved the audience directly in challenging common insurance myths, helping participants distinguish between assumptions and real risk management issues.

The experiential afternoon: deciding is an art

In the afternoon, the format shifted into a more narrative and experiential mode. Through the metaphor of "game" – decisions, risks, bluffing and responsibility – participants were invited to reflect on how companies respond to market challenges including economic uncertainty, technological change and generational transition.

A key moment in the afternoon focused on identifying the allies and enemies of safety within organisations, creating a collective awareness exercise that sparked some of the most engaging discussion of the day.

The special guest: deciding under pressure

Special guest Luigi Lamonica, international basketball referee and author of the book Decidere, brought an original and compelling perspective on decision-making under pressure, ambiguity and limited time.

The parallel with the business world resonated strongly: just as a referee must make rapid, high-impact decisions, those working in the powered access sector are required to navigate complex choices every day, often without having all the information they would like.

His contribution served as a fitting culmination to a day shaped around a central question: how can good decisions be made when circumstances make them difficult?

Beyond the Event: Building a Culture

More than a standalone event, IPAF ANCH'IO 2026 reinforced a wider call to action for the sector: to choose prevention over reaction and to keep strengthening a culture of safety through everyday decisions.