The IFOY AWARD is entering a new round for 2027 earlier than in previous years: The applicant portal for the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD is now open. Intralogistics and robotics providers worldwide can apply for one of the industry’s most prestigious awards with new products, solutions, and projects until September 25, 2026.
Those who make it to the finals go through the three-stage IFOY audit with IFOY test, scientific innovation check, and jury examination by renowned trade journalists from 18 nations. The innovations are not directly compared with each other, but evaluated in the context of their market environment.
For the first time since the Corona pandemic, the IFOY Audit will return to its traditional schedule and will take place on January 26 and 27, 2027, as part of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS at Messe Dortmund. The audit thus marks the start of the intralogistics year once again. The IFOY AWARD ceremony is planned for spring 2027.
There are a total of eight award categories to choose from, covering the entire spectrum of modern intralogistics – from forklifts and warehouse trucks to robot-controlled storage systems, software, and components to integrated customer projects. Innovations in crane and lifting technology are also awarded. A special focus is on mobile and stationary robotics, which traditionally represents the largest field of applicants. Technological details such as ergonomic solutions, safety innovations, and efficiency aids for storage and material flow are also awarded.
In 2027, a separate award for start-ups will once again be presented: The IFOY Start-up of the Year Award is aimed at young companies with forward-looking products, prototypes, or services for intralogistics.
Applications for both awards can only be made online via the applicant portal at www.ifoy.org. Application deadline is September 25, 2026
New IFOY website with a large test database
Just in time for the start of the application phase, the IFOY AWARD website has a new design under www.ifoy.org. At the heart of the project is a new test database containing all IFOY tests and innovation checks from previous years, searchable by company, year, and category.
The IFOY MGZN Blog is also new. In the future, it will bundle news, background information, and opinions about the IFOY AWARD and report on innovations and trends in the intralogistics industry.
The IFOY AWARD is under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The sponsors are the VDMA Conveyor Technology and Intralogistics as well as Robotics + Automation trade associations. Partners include Messe Dortmund, Cascade as an attachment manufacturer, LTG as a logistics partner, and AEB SE as an event partner.
IFOY AWARD 2027: Categories at a glance
Industrial truck
trucks and industrial trucks that lift, move, or stack loads – from predominantly manual pallet trucks to heavy counterbalance trucks. These include:
• Counter balanced Truck
All types of counterbalance trucks up to 8 tons.
• Heavy Load Forklift and Special Vehicle
Forklifts/Vehicles for Special Tasks, Special Vehicle Construction, Drones, Cargo Bikes, Truck/Container Forklifts, Heavy Duty Forklifts over 8 Tons.
• Warehouse Truck “highlifter”
Warehouse technology equipment from the second shelf level, such as high-bay, narrow-aisle, and reach trucks, drawbar-guided stackers, order pickers, etc.
• Warehouse Truck “lowlifter”
: Predominantly manual warehouse trucks up to approx. 1st shelf level, such as drawbar-guided
pallet trucks, tractors, tugger trains, horizontal order pickers, etc.
Mobile Robot Mobile
autonomous or automated robots, such as AGVs, AMRs, mobile cobots, robots for the automatic loading and unloading of trucks, shuttles (systems), automated industrial trucks, etc.
Stationary Robot Warehouse System
Automated storage systems, stationary robot-based solutions for intralogistics applications such as palletizing and depalletizing, cobots, and picking robots.
Intralogistics software
apps and intralogistics systems or software solutions in the context of possible applications, such as warehouse management systems, forklift control systems, driver assistance systems, fleet management systems, etc.
Integrated Customer Solution
Automation solution successfully implemented at a specific customer in the warehouse, greenfield, and brownfield projects.
Special of the Year
components or technical equipment that significantly improve the economic efficiency, sustainability or physical or psychological conditions for the user, such as ergonomic innovations, safety assistance solutions, automation solutions, drive technologies, aids in the warehouse, forklift attachments, etc.
Crane and Lifting Technologies
Cranes for various applications, such as gantry and overhead cranes, bracket and wall-mounted overhead cranes, slewing cranes, overhead conveyor cranes, light cranes, etc. Lifting technology for various areas of application, such as chain and wire rope hoists, winches, magnetic and vacuum lifters, lifting tables, and working platforms, etc.
IFOY Start-up of the Year
With the IFOY Start-up of the Year spin-off award, the award organization honors innovative technologies and new developments by founders. Start-ups are independent companies that have not been on the market for more than five years, employ fewer than 30 people, and generate no more than three million euros in annual sales.
Applications can be submitted at https://www.ifoy.org/en/register-application-en
