LLEAPs and Risks

March 9, 2005 — Lift and Access magazine will begin distributing entry forms for an equipment awards program during next week's premier construction equipment show—ConExpo. The LLEAP awards were established in an effort to promote and market technology special to the lifting and access industry. Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Aerial Platforms (LLEAP) awards are designed to recognize innovative products or services that have advanced the state of this industry. We like the LLEAP acronym as it stands for what we want to recognize — moving forward, jumping hurdles, and making transitions. Taking a leap is also affiliated with risk and with faith. In order for lifting equipment technology to continue to advance in productivity and safety, equipment manufacturers and components suppliers must make engineering leaps and take marketing risks. Lift and Access wants to recognize those leaps and risks.

Lift and Access has assembled a panel of industry professionals to judge the product entries. Representing a wide range of experiences and expertise, the judges panel currently includes these highly respected industry leaders:

• Jack Swan, Vice President of All Erection & Crane Rental Corp., Cleveland, Ohio
• Larry Zaback, Chief Operating Officer of Coast Crane, Portland, Ore.
• Steve Shaughnessy, General Manager of A-Plant, Ashtead's powered access division throughout the United Kingdom
• Jim Mango, partner and owner of Six and Mango Equipment, Dallas, Texas
• Matt Rocca, President of GAR Equipment, South Plainfield, N.J.
• Kevin Parr, Northeast Regional Manager, United Rentals, Ridgefield Park, N.J.
• Jeff Stachowiak, Safety and Compliance for Sunbelt Rentals, Charlotte, N.C.
• Jerry Reinhart, Sr., industry consultant, former owner of Access Equipment Rentals, Batavia, N.Y.
• Shaun Flanagan of Horizon Advisor Services, Newport Beach, Calif., and former president of Horizon High Reach 

Combined these individuals have in excess of 200 years of practical experience with lifting and access equipment.

Outstanding products in six classifications will be recognized:

• Aerial work platforms: (self-propelled boom or scissor lifts, trailer- or truck-mounted)
• Material handlers: (rough-terrain telescopic or straight-mast forklifts);
• Cranes: (rough-terrain, all-terrain, truck cranes, and truck-mounted [boom truck]);
• Optional equipment, attachment, or accessory introduced on a new or existing aerial work platform, material handler, or crane;
• Safety features or operating systems (electric, hydraulic, or mechanical), introduced on a new or existing aerial work platform, material handler, or crane. Feature or system may have been developed by either the OEM or by a supplier;
• Miscellaneous: (trailers, support equipment, components, training aids, safety equipment, etc.) 

In order to qualify products must have been introduced and/or delivered to the market 12 months prior to April 1, 2005. We will select one winner and two runners up in each category. Lift and Access will also recognize one overall winner—best in show for you dog and cat lovers.

Nominations will be accepted from equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, or our readers. For guidelines and an entry form, write to me at gramsey@liftandaccess.com. Meanwhile, your comments and suggestions are welcome.