Following the success of the 2024 Forklift Driver Competition, accredited South African skills development provider Transvaal Training has again been confirmed as the official judging partner for the upcoming competition, which will take place at Electra Mining Africa 2026.

Organised by trade publication Lifting Africa, the competition will pit licensed forklift operators from across South Africa against each other, asking them to complete a “demanding test of precision, safety, efficiency and equipment control”.

Competitors will be required to complete a specially designed practical course incorporating realistic materials handling challenges. Each driver will have about 20 minutes to complete the course and will be judged on safe operating procedures, accuracy, control and overall performance.

Entrants must hold a valid forklift operator licence and will undergo a breathalyser test before competing. A total of R30 000 in cash prizes is available to the top-performing drivers.

The competition is supported by a key group of sponsors, which are contributing by providing specialist equipment, products or expertise to create a realistic and safety-focused operating environment.

These include Platinum Sponsors Acrow Racking & Shelving and Jungheinrich; XTyre Global; BBF Safety Group, DAF Trucks (through Babcock); and Ground Mobility Systems.

Jungheinrich is the Official Forklift Sponsor and will provide the forklifts used throughout the competition. It has a history dating back to 1953 and is one of the world’s leading providers of materials handling equipment, warehousing solutions and intralogistics technology.

Acrow Racking & Shelving, meanwhile, will provide the racking structures incorporated into the competition course. Having been established in 1946, Acrow is one of South Africa’s largest manufacturers of storage and materials handling solutions, supplying racking, shelving and warehouse systems to the retail, wholesale, manufacturing, distribution and logistics sectors throughout Southern Africa.

The Acrow racking will create realistic operating challenges requiring competitors to demonstrate accurate pallet placement, load control and safe manoeuvring within confined spaces.

XTyre Global will supply recycled-rubber pallets and specialised load devices for use in the competition challenges.

As a local, sustainability- focused company, which develops durable, modular pallets, skids and industrial load devices manufactured from recycled tyre rubber, its involvement will also introduce competitors and visitors to alternatives to conventional wooden and plastic pallets.

Meanwhile, BBF Safety Group, enters the competition as the safety footwear and PPE partner, through its BOVA brand. One of Africa’s leading manufacturers of workplace safety equipment, BOVA has a reputation for locally designed safety footwear that combines protection, durability and comfort. Its participation reinforces the competition’s message that skilled operation must always be supported by the correct PPE.

A DAF Truck, distributed and sold in Southern Africa by Babcock, will form part of the competition course and provide competitors with a realistic truck-loading challenge.

The DAF truck will add another demanding dimension to the competition, as drivers will be required to demonstrate the precision, control and spatial awareness needed when operating a forklift around a commercial vehicle and loading area.

Lifting Africa says Babcock’s involvement highlights the important connection between materials handling, warehousing and road transport. “Efficient logistics depend on trained forklift operators who can load and unload trucks safely while protecting equipment, products and surrounding infrastructure.”

Finally, as one of South Africa's leading providers of heavy-duty ground mobility, aluminium trackway and composite ground protection systems, Ground Mobility Systems will help to ensure that the competition is conducted on a safe, stable and professionally engineered operating surface”.

For the competition, Ground Mobility Systems will supply its Composite Base Rig Mats on a rental basis, creating a level, durable working platform for competitors and spectators throughout the five-day event.

The composite mat system is specifically designed for temporary applications, offering rapid installation, exceptional load-bearing performance and excellent protection of the underlying surface.

“Safety has always been the foundation of the Forklift Driver Competition,” says Lifting Africa MD and the Forklift competition organiser Surita Marx.

She notes that ground conditions are often overlooked but play a vital role in safe forklift operation.

“We are delighted to welcome Ground Mobility Systems as our Official Ground Mobility Solutions Sponsor. Their expertise in engineered ground protection ensures our competition arena meets the highest standards while showcasing world-class South African innovation.”

Marx adds that the support received from all the sponsors has enabled the creation of a practical course incorporating several important elements of the modern logistics chain.

“From the forklift and racking to the pallets, loading devices, ground surface, PPE, judging and commercial vehicle, every sponsor contributes something meaningful to the experience. Together, they are helping us create a competition that is engaging for visitors while promoting safe, responsible and professional forklift operation.”

Credible Judge

According to Lifting Africa, the return of Transvaal Training reinforces the competition’s strong focus on operator excellence, safety standards, and professional skills development in the materials handling industry.

Transvaal Training’s involvement as judges during the 2024 competition was reportedly “widely praised” for ensuring fair, professional and technically accurate assessments.

Transvaal Training is one of South Africa’s leading operator training and skills development providers. Its team of experienced instructors and assessors brings valuable technical expertise and real-world operational knowledge to the judging process.

Lifting Africa notes that the judging criteria are focused on safety compliance; precision handling; operational efficiency; equipment control; technical competence and professionalism under pressure.

“The involvement of Transvaal Training ensures that the competition maintains the highest possible industry standards while promoting the importance of accredited operator training and workplace safety,” the publisher states.

Building on the Momentum of 2024

The 2024 competition attracted significant attention from the materials handling, logistics, warehousing, and mining sectors, drawing skilled operators from across South Africa.

“The response to the 2024 competition exceeded all expectations,” says Marx.

The 2024 Forklift Driver Competition winner Jason Skinner said the event offers forklift operators much more than an opportunity to compete for a prize.

“I am thrilled to have participated in the 2024 competition and even more honoured to have taken first prize. The event provided a great opportunity for all of us to test our skills, observe others in action and learn from each other’s successes and mistakes,” Skinner told Lifting Africa.

He added that one of the most valuable aspects of the competition is that competitors are not assessed on speed alone.

“I really enjoyed the fact that the competition is not just about speed, but also precision and good general forklift knowledge. The facilitators were professional and knowledgeable, contributing to the overall success of the event by providing clear guidance and support.”

He described the competition as a valuable learning experience that encourages growth, improvement and mutual respect among forklift operators.

“I highly recommend that anyone in the industry, whether seasoned or new, take part in future competitions. The skills you refine and the insights you gain from watching others are invaluable. Participating in this competition was an absolute pleasure.”

Recognising Those Who Keep Industry Moving

“The Forklift Driver Competition is about recognising the people whose skills keep warehouses, factories, distribution centres, mines and logistics operations moving every day,” says Marx.

She points out that Forklift operators carry an “enormous responsibility”.

“One incorrect movement can damage products, equipment or infrastructure and, more importantly, place lives at risk. This competition gives professional operators an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while promoting higher standards of training, safety and workplace recognition.”

Visitors to Electra Mining Africa will be able to watch the competition throughout the five-day exhibition and see operators tackle practical challenges reflecting real working conditions.