FAQ about the Ifoy Award

Frequently asked questions about the IFOY AWARD and the correct answers.
If you have any further questions, we will be happy to answer them.

The IFOY AWARD recognizes top performance in the industrial truck and intralogistics industry and documents the performance and innovative strength of the industry. It also helps to strengthen competitiveness and improve the public image of intralogistics. IFOY stands for true excellence, maximum customer benefit and proven innovation.

Ideeller Träger des IFOY AWARD ist der Fachverband Fördertechnik und Intralogistik im Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA). The VDMA Robotics + Automation Association is the conceptual sponsor for the robotics categories.

The originator and founder of the IFOY AWARD is logistics journalist Anita Würmser. She developed the concept, set up the organization and initiated numerous other awards and competitions in the industry, including the Logistics Hall of Fame.

The IFOY AWARD is organized by impact media projects GmbH.

Intralogistics providers, for example manufacturers of industrial trucks, software providers as well as integrators and consultants who offer their products and services on the European market can apply.

The IFOY AWARD has various categories that cover the entire spectrum of intralogistics. As a rule, seven categories are held each year. Together with the audit team, the IFOY organization decides which category a product or solution should be placed in.

Applicants can submit as many products or solutions as they wish.

Registration is required first. You will then receive an access code to the applicant portal by e-mail, which you can use to create as many applications as you like. A separate form must be completed for each device or customer solution.

The application itself is free of charge. However, if a product is nominated for the final, nomination fees apply.

The current scale of fees can be requested from the office.

The application is free of charge. Once the application form has been saved, it is no longer possible to withdraw.
However, if a product is nominated for the final, there is a one-off nomination fee.
If an application is not nominated for the final, no costs will be incurred.
Each finalist also takes part in the audit at their own expense.

You should therefore consider beforehand whether you take the application seriously.

The scale of fees can be requested from the office.

What you get for the fees
The value of an IFOY Award lies in its independence and transparency: The income of the IFOY organization is used for the Europe-wide organization, independent tests and ongoing business operations.

Finalists and winners receive the right to advertise with the coveted “Best in Intralogistics” seals or the winners’ seals. The value of the IFOY label lies in its neutrality, independence, professional expertise and the associated marketing effect.

Further advantages can be found in the award area.

The Wildcard: In exceptional cases, the IFOY organisation can offer a Wildcard for a particularly innovative product. This is always actively offered and enables free participation in the IFOY AWARD. However, the wildcard does not guarantee a nomination or a win.

No, there is no prize money. Winners receive a trophy and the right to advertise with the IFOY seals and to use the test results and marketing materials.

The value of an IFOY rating lies in its neutrality and independence, its professional expertise and the resulting marketing effect.

For finalists and winners in particular, the award offers above-average added marketing and image value. The monitoring of reporting alone regularly achieves marketing values averaging 500,000 euros per finalist, with peak values of over two million euros.

No. Each juror decides freely and independently. The IFOY AWARD is an innovation prize that is not just about percentage values for performance improvements – the focus is on innovation value and customer benefits.

However, the test results provide the jury with an objective evaluation tool that is an important guide in the decision-making process.

The jury evaluates the innovative value, customer benefit, market relevance, functionality and design of the products. These include processing quality, design, ergonomics and handling, safety, economy and sustainability.

Both measurable and soft factors are evaluated in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of product performance and innovative strength.

There are three types of IFOY seal:

  1. The IFOY Buttons: Finalist, Winner, tested – particularly suitable for product labeling, trade fair walls or clinkers.

  2. IFOY Seal of Quality “Best in Intralogistics ” – is awarded to for vehicles and solutions that have passed the 3-stage IFOY Audit.

  3. IFOY Certificate for the Innovation Check – a printed certificate documenting the evaluation in the Innovation Check.

The jury’s decision is not based on individual opinions, but on a broad and competent professional basis. Several measures were taken to achieve this:

  1. IFOY Test: Based on the internationally recognized Andersom test, it provides objective test results as a decision-making aid for the jury. The testers are neutral and have no voting rights.

  2. IFOY Innovation Check: specifically evaluates the innovative value of the devices and supplements the IFOY Test as a decision-making aid. Here too, the testers are neutral and not entitled to vote.

  3. Independent advice: Each jury member can put together a group of independent specialists and advisors to assist in the selection process.

  4. Advisory Board: The jury can consult the Advisory Board on technical issues and obtain expert advice.

  5. The decision on the winners is the sole responsibility of the jury.

The IFOY AWARD has the following process:

Phase 1– Public application phase:
Companies worldwide can submit their products and solutions. Early registration is recommended.

Phase 2 – Nomination:
The jury nominates the finalists in each category from all the applications received.

Phase 3 – IFOY Audit and election:
All finalists undergo a three-stage audit as part of the TEST CAMP Intralogistics: the IFOY Test, the scientific Innovation Check and the Jury Test. The jury then selects the winner in each category.

Phase 4 – Announcement and awarding:
The winners will only be announced at the awards ceremony, which will take place at a gala event

In some cases, the IFOY organization may offer a wildcard for a particularly innovative product. This enables free participation in the IFOY AWARD, but does not guarantee a nomination or a win. The election procedure remains unchanged. In order not to influence the election, a wild card is always treated confidentially.

You cannot apply for a wildcard. It is actively awarded by the IFOY organisation and is only offered in exceptional cases.

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