The 200-plus IPAF Summit attendees heard about the challenges of big booms this month in the UK.

IPAF Summit attendees heard about the challenges of big booms and how to attract "big money" at the event held this month in Windsor in the UK.

Matt Fearon, president of Terex Aerial Work Platforms, told attendees that the aerial industry provides safer alternatives for working at height; but the work is going higher under challenging conditions, and the new 180 ft. (55 m) booms offer new opportunities.

Fearon said that bigger booms are being used in new applications such as oil refineries, power plants, steel structures, stadiums, bridge access, high-rise buildings and harbour cranes. He discussed the trade-off between the capabilities and limitations of bigger booms, for example, transport conditions and the need for the use of outriggers, and questioned if it would be necessary to drive big booms. The industry is seeing the beginnings of a new boom category, he said.

The 200-plus IPAF Summit attendees were also given a clear and compelling presentation on communicating and demonstrating their companies' potential and value to investors by US-based United Rentals, the world's largest equipment rental company. Bill Plummer, executive vice-president and CFO, and Fred Bratman, head of investor relations, shared tips of the trade.

In response to questions on United's plans for international expansion, Plummer said that Latin America, Europe and Asia will be part of the company's focus and that United would move in line with objectives it has set: "The only certain commitment is that at some point we will be a global company," he said.

The next IPAF Summit will be held with the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) on 26 March 2015 in Washington, DC, USA. Details are at www.iapa-summit.info

IPAF is a not-for-profit members' organisation that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide.