Ms. Würmser, how do you win an IFOY AWARD?

How do you win an IFOY, what is important?
With courage and perseverance, I would say, and an exceptionally good product or customer solution is part of it anyway. But first you have to apply. This is quick and easy via the Internet. About half make it through the pre-selection to the final, where they then have to face the IFOY audit and the jury’s verdict. In the past, innovation value was the most important factor, but in recent years I have noticed that customer benefit is playing an increasingly important role in the jury’s vote.

The finalists have to take part in an audit at the IFOY TEST DAYS. What exactly happens there?
The audit consists of three parts and begins months in advance. The most important part is the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and the IFOY test for the industrial trucks. The scientists first assess whether the innovations specified by the manufacturers are innovative further developments, new compositions or genuine innovations. Depending on the product in question, driving and functional tests, surveys and other analyses are then carried out during the TEST DAYS. At the end of the audit, the jurors and their approved consultants assess the finalists. Incidentally, the consultants have no voting rights.

The test winner wins?
Not necessarily, because there is no test winner in this sense. What many people don’t know: The finalists are not compared with each other, but with their competitor products. The expertise of the scientists provides us on the jury with independent information for our decision, which we could never provide ourselves in this depth and breadth. The testers present their results to the jury and make a recommendation, which is the subject of much discussion. But in the end, each juror decides for themselves. Nevertheless, I would say that ‘testing makes the difference’, because I have often experienced that the assessment of products is different after testing. The paper form is one thing, but live testing can turn everything around. This is a phenomenon that we also notice time and again with visitors.

Can the professional public take part in the tests?
Even better, you can even try out the IFOY finalists for yourself. On the first two days, only test teams and jurors are admitted. On days 3 and 4, the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS opens at Messe Dortmund. The camp is a kind of world of experience for the best innovations in intralogistics – 100 innovations and new products on 10,000 square meters and IFOY is co-hosted. Visitors are familiarized with the sets in highlight tours and can then test drive or remotely control new forklifts and warehouse technology models, try on exoskeletons or work with robots. You don’t even have to attend IFOY to exhibit there.

An IFOY application is free of charge, but if you are nominated for the final, you have to pay a nomination fee. Why is that?
This is a question of value and values. The IFOY AWARD is an international organization and has a test organization that evaluates according to transparent criteria, independently and on the basis of professional expertise. On the one hand, the fees ensure the independence of the tests and the organization, which in turn guarantees an international reach and extremely high marketing value. In 2023, the average marketing value of a nomination was 800,000 euros. The peak value was achieved by a nominee in 2022 with over 1800 press articles. No one has surpassed this to date.

Is it true that the IFOY finalists only find out on stage whether they have won or not?
I get asked that all the time, and yes, it’s true.