IPAF supports CESAR equipment theft scheme

IPAF has become an official supporter of the Construction Equipment Association’s CESAR Scheme, extending backing for the UK’s leading equipment security and registration initiative to include powered access equipment. The move is designed to help raise awareness of machinery theft, improve equipment traceability and support recovery efforts across the industry.

CESAR is owned by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) and is the official security marking and registration scheme for the construction and agricultural industries. CESAR uses hi-tech security technologies from its delivery partner Datatag, which act as a powerful deterrent to theft and are an invaluable aid in recovery, in the event of theft. IPAF’s partnership with the CESAR Scheme will promote the use of the CESAR Scheme to improve powered access machine security and deter theft.

Peter Douglas, CEO, IPAF and Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA. (Image: CEO).

Richard Whiting, IPAF’s UK General Manager, said, “Equipment theft continues to be a serious issue for our industry, with significant operational and financial consequences for businesses. By supporting the CESAR Scheme, IPAF is helping to raise awareness of proven security measures that can deter theft, improve traceability and support the recovery of stolen machines. If manufacturers, rental companies and contractors across the powered access sector register their machines with CESAR, a sophisticated Datatag multi-layered security system will be fitted that gives each machine its own unique ‘fingerprint’ that is impossible for thieves to remove. Let’s all work together as an industry to put an end to machine theft once and for all.”

Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), added, “Powered access equipment is a valuable target for thieves, and the cost of machine theft goes far beyond the loss of the machine itself. It causes disruption, delays, insurance issues and real pressure for rental companies, contractors and equipment owners.

“That is why IPAF’s support for CESAR is such a positive step. CESAR has a strong track record, with registered machines six times more likely to be recovered if stolen and four times less likely to be stolen in the first place. By working with IPAF, we can help more powered access businesses understand the role CESAR can play in protecting their equipment, supporting police recovery work and reducing the wider cost of machinery theft across the sector.”

Many insurers estimate the total annual cost of construction theft in the UK to be more than £1 billion, with low recovery rates of plant and equipment. By protecting their machines, powered access businesses can also benefit from insurance premium discounts from all the leading insurance companies.

To find out more or to get your powered access company involved, contact Viki Bell on [email protected]. Under the new arrangement, IPAF members will benefit from a discounted rate for CESAR.