Platformers' Days 2026: Aerial Work Platforms, Cranes, and Forklifts in Practical Test
Aerial work platforms, cranes, and forklifts are capital goods where technical data alone often is not enough. Range, operation, maneuverability, or the interplay with digital fleet solutions usually become apparent only in practical use. This is exactly what the Platformers' Days focus on, taking place on October 8 and 9, 2026 in Karlsruhe. The trade fair for mobile lifting and access technology brings manufacturers, dealers, rental companies, and users together on more than 30,000 square meters. Many machines can be tested on site.
For more than 25 years, the event has been part of the trade show calendar for the industry. In 2026, it will take place for the first time in a new biennial cycle and exclusively on the weekdays Thursday and Friday. Besides aerial work platforms and cranes, the range of offerings around forklifts will be further expanded. The machines will be supplemented by digital solutions, services, spare parts, and other products for rental and operation.
Technology is not just to be displayed
A major difference from classic indoor trade fairs lies in the practical relevance. Around 20,000 square meters of outdoor area and 12,500 square meters of indoor space make it possible to directly compare different machines. Demonstrations under realistic conditions are also part of the concept. This is especially relevant for rental companies. They need to evaluate machines not only based on purchase price and performance data but also on utilization, maintenance effort, operability, and possible applications. Therefore, Platformers' Days are particularly aimed at professional visitors who are preparing specific investment decisions. The direct machine testing is also mentioned in the organizer's documents as a central part of the trade fair concept.
Forklifts get their own special area
In 2026, materials handling technology will be even more in the spotlight. In Hall 1, an exclusive special show around forklift technology will be created on nearly 500 square meters. Solutions for digitalization and process optimization, fleet management, flexible rental models, attachments, and integrated systems will be displayed. StaplerPlus eG, a dealer organization, is the cooperation partner. The expansion is understandable: aerial work platforms and forklifts are often used in parallel in construction, industry, and logistics and are frequently part of the same machinery pool at many rental companies. Accordingly, there is a growing need to manage and utilize fleets not in isolation, but uniformly.
Digital Services Becoming More Important
The range of offerings at Platformers' Days is increasingly extending beyond the actual machines. Software, financing, spare parts, and construction site setup are set to be more heavily considered in 2026. This reflects how the business in lifting and height access technology is changing. For operators and renters, the efficiency of a machine alone does not decide its value. Digital fleet overviews, maintenance, availability, and financing are increasingly influencing the economic viability over the entire lifecycle. At the same time, the manufacturer market is changing. Along with established European and international providers, additional competitors are emerging. Therefore, the direct comparison becomes more important for buyers, technically as well as in terms of service, spare parts supply, and operating costs.
About 120 Exhibitors on 32,500 Square Meters
According to current data from the trade fair, around 120 national and international exhibitors are expected. They will present solutions around work platforms, cranes, and forklifts on a total of 32,500 square meters. The high level of interest was evident early on: As reported by the organizers, more than 85 percent of the exhibition space was firmly booked by the turn of the year. In 2026, the fair intends to expand its visitor base beyond the DACH region and increasingly target rental companies from the Benelux countries.
Networking Remains Part of the Concept
In addition to machines and product innovations, the event continues to rely on personal exchange. The PD-Networking-Night, due to the new fair days, takes place on Thursday evening and brings together manufacturers, dealers, renters, and other industry representatives outside of the traditional fair operations. The Platformers' Days 2026 will take place on October 8 and 9 at the Karlsruhe Fair. Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. For trade visitors, the direct comparison will be particularly interesting. With work platforms, cranes, and forklifts, it is often only in practical use that it is decided which machine actually fits one's own business. This practical test is exactly what the Platformers' Days in Karlsruhe want to facilitate.