Inaugural Turkey conference delves into country’s access sector

The inaugural IPAF Platform Turkey Conference covered a range of key topics affecting the country’s access sector, including digital transformation, safety, artificial intelligence, strategy and standardization.

IPAF Platform Turkey Conference, co-organised by Platformder, took place 30 April. (Image: Platformder).

Organized in collaboration between Turkey access association Platformder and IPAF, the conference was held on 30 April in Istanbul. 

Among the speakers was Saruhan Günaydın, Chairman of Platformder, who stated that the number of platforms in Turkey grew from 4,000 in 2013 to 35,000 in 2024, marking a 742% increase. He emphasized that there is still room for growth compared to European countries and highlighted the significance of operator training with IPAF and the upcoming 2026 IPAF Summit & IAPA Awards to be held in Istanbul.

IPAF CEO Peter Douglas shared how the UK’s Nationwide Platforms, now part of Loxam, developed into the UK’s largest access equipment rental company, for which he had been a senior director. Douglas also underlined the importance of integrating a safety culture into organizational structure. He summarized IPAF’s approach with the phrase, “We don’t sell, we solve problems.”

Saruhan Günaydın. (Image: Platformder).

Gian Luca Benci, CEO of digital solutions specialist Alias2k detailed the impact of artificial intelligence on rental processes. He stated that predictive maintenance, dynamic pricing, and automated damage analysis are improving the sector’s efficiency.

Turkey acccess sector in growth phase

Strategic Management Consultant Dr. Kâmil Bayar, in his presentation titled Leading the Future through Transformation, emphasized that the sector is still in a growth phase and shed light on its strengths and weaknesses through a SWOT analysis.

Romina Vanzi, IPAF Regional Development Manager, shared global accident statistics and stated that 80% of reported accidents in Turkey result in fatalities. She emphasized the importance of IPAF’s international safety campaigns and guidance resources.

Peter Douglas. (Image: Platformder).

Platformder Board Member Sibel Aygül evaluated the sector’s development in Turkiye over the past 20 years, highlighting the importance of institutionalization, trained human resources, and visionary leadership. She also shared Platformder’s projects contributing to vocational education.

The panel, moderated by Nazlı Bolak, who also hosted the program throughout the day, featured renowned economists Prof. Dr. Burak Arzova, Murat Sağman, and Dr. Selçuk Mutlu. The discussion, which focused on the future of the sector in the context of economic balances, global trade policies, and financing models, drew great interest from the audience. Held in an interactive format, the panel allowed participants to respond instantly to questions displayed on the screen, contributing to a more engaging and productive session.

Martin Wraith, IPAF Rental+ Program Manager, explained how a certification system based on international standards enhances safety and quality in rental companies.

Rob Cavaleri, representative of Manlift Middle East, illustrated how the IPAF Rental+ system contributes to the company’s operational success, emphasizing that the process is not merely an audit but also a development model.

The conference’s art exhibition. (Image: Platformder).

Aykut Polat, Project Manager at Zeplin Technology, stated that digital transformation has increased efficiency in many areas such as fleet management, maintenance, reporting, and customer relations management. He emphasized that digital integration now provides a competitive advantage.

Dawei He, Assistant to the CEO of Sinoboom, spoke on new production hubs, energy transitions, and AI applications in the global MEWP sector, highlighting Turkey’s strategic role in this transformation.

The event also featured an art exhibition organized as part of rental company Istanbul Vinç’s social responsibility project, which drew significant attention. The conference concluded with a plaque ceremony for the speakers and sponsoring companies.