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Forklift Drver Competition
Some of South Africa’s leading materials-handling,
transport, safety, training and industrial-equipment companies have joined
forces to support the 2026 Forklift Driver Competition, taking place at Electra
Mining Africa from 7–11 September 2026 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec.
Organised by Lifting Africa, the competition will put
licensed forklift operators from across South Africa through 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 approximately 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 powerful group of
sponsors, each contributing specialist equipment, products or expertise to
create a realistic and safety-focused operating environment. More sponsorship
opportunities are still available.
Jungheinrich – Official Forklift Sponsor
Jungheinrich is the Official Forklift Sponsor and will
provide the forklifts used throughout the competition.
With a history dating back to 1953, Jungheinrich is one of
the world’s leading providers of materials-handling equipment, warehousing
solutions and intralogistics technology. Its portfolio includes forklifts,
pallet trucks, racking systems, automation, fleet management solutions, and
warehouse technology.
The competition will give operators an opportunity to
demonstrate their abilities using modern Jungheinrich equipment under demanding
practical conditions.
Acrow Racking & Shelving – Official Racking Sponsor
Acrow Racking & Shelving will provide the racking
structures incorporated into the competition course.
Established in 1946, Acrow is one of South Africa’s largest
manufacturers of storage and materials-handling solutions. The company supplies
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.
Transvaal Training – Official Judging Partner
Transvaal Training will oversee the competition’s judging
and technical assessment.
Operating since 1993, Transvaal Training is an accredited
education and skills-development provider specialising in training
lifting-machine operators, mobile plant operators, drivers, and occupational
health and safety personnel.
Its experienced judges will assess every competitor
according to consistent criteria, including pre-operational checks, safe
driving procedures, accuracy, efficiency, load handling and compliance with
operating rules.
Ground Mobility Systems – Official Ground-Surface Partner
Ground Mobility Systems will provide the heavy-duty
composite mats to create a stable, durable operating surface for the
competition.
The company specialises in portable ground protection,
temporary access, and heavy-equipment support solutions for mining,
construction, civil engineering, and other demanding industrial environments.
Its reusable composite matting will provide the level and
secure surface required for safe forklift operation while protecting the ground
beneath the competition course.
XTyre Global – Official Pallet and Load-Device Sponsor
XTyre Global will supply recycled-rubber pallets and
specialised load devices for use in the competition challenges.
The South African sustainability-focused company develops
durable, modular pallets, skids and industrial load devices manufactured from
recycled tyre rubber. Its solutions are designed for demanding applications
across warehousing, logistics, automotive, mining, chemicals and heavy
engineering.
The XTyre products will introduce competitors and visitors
to an innovative alternative to conventional wooden and plastic pallets while
demonstrating how recycled materials can support modern industrial supply
chains and circular-economy objectives.
BBF Safety Group and BOVA – Official PPE Partner
BBF Safety Group, through its BOVA brand, enters the
competition as the safety footwear and PPE partner.
BBF Safety Group is one of Africa’s leading manufacturers of
workplace safety products and the continent’s largest manufacturer of safety
footwear. Its portfolio includes safety footwear, gumboots, workwear and
personal protective equipment designed for demanding industrial environments.
BOVA has built a strong reputation for locally designed
safety footwear that combines protection, durability and comfort. Its
participation reinforces the competition’s central message that skilled
forklift operation must always be supported by the correct personal protective
equipment.
DAF Trucks and Babcock – Official Commercial Vehicle
Partner
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.
DAF Trucks manufactures commercial vehicles for long-haul,
regional distribution and specialist transport applications. In Southern
Africa, DAF Trucks are distributed and supported by Babcock through its
established sales, parts, maintenance and after-sales network.
The DAF truck will add another demanding dimension to the
competition. Drivers will be required to demonstrate the precision, control and
spatial awareness needed when operating a forklift around a commercial vehicle
and loading area.
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.
Previous Winner Encourages Operators to Enter
Jason Skinner, winner of the 2024 Forklift Driver
Competition, says 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,” says Skinner.
According to Skinner, 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 describes 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 the People 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 Surita Marx, Managing Director of
Lifting Africa.
“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.”
Marx says the support received from the competition’s
sponsors has enabled Lifting Africa to create 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.”
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.
Companies are also encouraged to organise internal forklift
competitions during working hours and send their strongest operator to
represent the business at Electra Mining Africa.
Forklift operators who believe they have the skill,
precision, knowledge and safety awareness to compete for their share of R30,000
in cash prizes are invited to enter.
Competition Information
Event: Forklift Driver Competition
Dates: 7–11 September 2026
Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec
Hosted by: Lifting Africa
Entry requirement: Valid forklift operator licence
Website: www.forkliftdrivercompetition.co.za
Contact: Surita Marx - +27 83 281 5761
Please contact me on 083 281 5761 for more information.
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