IPAF elects new president

STEVE Shaughnessy, president of Canada-based manufacturer Skyjack Inc, has been elected as the new president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

He succeeds John Ball of Height for Hire Ireland and brings with him more than 25 years’ experience in the access business.

Mr Shaughnessy, who will serve a two-year term to promote the safe and effective use of powered access around the world, literally grew up in the access industry, working in the family business Shaughnessy Crane Service in the US, and later running its access rental division after returning from his studies in Ireland and Nottingham and a period of employment with British Telecom.

He was later regional vice-president and chief operating officer of Chicago-based NES, and in 2004 he joined UK-based A-Plant as director of the company’s access business. He was also managing director of rental company Loxam in the UK, before moving into the manufacturing side of the powered access business by joining Skyjack Inc.

Following his recent election, Mr Shaughnessy said he would carry on with the project of ensuring that North American access rental and training companies are familiar with the benefits of IPAF’s powered access training programmes. ‘It is essential that operators in the largest access market in the world receive the opportunity to be trained to work at height safely and efficiently,’ he said.

‘IPAF will support the creation and expansion of national members’ councils to give a better voice to those members regarding the provision of services by the Federation and IPAF will also develop a process for enabling operators of access equipment in countries not currently supported by the Federation to benefit from its training programmes.’

IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman added: ‘Steve’s unique experience from both sides of the Atlantic make him ideal as IPAF president. His background in access rentals and manufacturing, spanning the US and the UK, will be very useful as IPAF grows its activities around the globe.’