JLG Industries has been recognised for its LiftPod portable aerial work platform as a Gold winner in the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), which were announced July 29. The IDEA competition, a celebration of the year’s most innovative and exciting product and product concept designs, is one of the world’s most prestigious and recognisable design competitions. The program is presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and sponsored by BusinessWeek, Target and Autodesk.

The Australian designed LiftPod was among 1,631 entries in the design competition. So well regarded is the competition that it attracted entries from around the world including Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, The Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK.

“The LiftPod is an ingenious take on an age-old commercial problem,” said 2009 IDEA juror Stephen Melamed, IDSA, principal, Tres Design Group. “Creating a machine that can be transported and set up by one person makes this an ideal solution for a variety of applications. Developing a gearing system that can drive the platform up and down with a 18V cordless drill or a battery powerpack is extremely clever.”

The LiftPod features a 4.4m working height and is operated using a common 18V drill or optional power pack. At 25 per cent the cost and weight of traditional work platforms, the LiftPod is a lightweight tool that can be used for a number of maintenance, repair and renovation jobs in almost any building type. An attachable work tray holds tools and materials, and the enclosed platform allows users to move around and efficiently work with both hands. The LiftPod can be assembled by a single person in less than 30 seconds, and it can be transported site-to-site in the back of a pick-up truck, van or SUV.