MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Winners and finalists inspire at Awards 2006.
Ten more names have been etched gloriously into materials handling history as winners in the latest Fork Lift Truck Association Annual Awards for Excellence. But while nothing can compare with the prestige of actually winning an Award, the organisers have been keener than ever this year to highlight the achievement of every finalist as well.
“They have won through from the initial nominations to stand before us tonight as the pick of what is finest in our industry,” said FLTA Vice-Chairman John Chappell, who co-hosted the Awards event on 11th February with Chairman Paul Nichol.
“Indeed, each and every finalist is a ‘best buy’ – an individual, a product or a service that has raised the bar for all those who come after.”
The thumping beat of percussion band Clatterati added an extra sense of occasion – as if it were needed – to a ceremony that clearly inspired the capacity audience at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole.
Among the most eagerly anticipated results were those in the three product and service categories decided by a postal ballot in which everyone in the UK materials handling world had been invited to vote. They went to:
Safety: Doosan Infracore for the Active Safety Control that ensures safe cornering speeds on its Pro-5 Series electric counterbalance.
Ergonomics: Linde Material Handling for the ergonomic and comfort advantages resulting from the revolutionary design of its X Range of reach trucks.
Innovation: Toyota Industrial Equipment for its Operator Presence Sensing system, which permits drive and hydraulic functions only when the operator is seated.
Double celebrations
A number of companies enjoyed double celebrations. For the second time in three years, Jofson Mitsubishi saw one of its trainees take the Apprentice of the Year Award – this time Jonathan Done. Albury Asset Rentals took the Supplier of the Year Award for the second year running. Doosan and Linde each took home another Award in addition to their Safety and Ergonomics ‘Archies’ – Colin Dewdney of Doosan winning Employee of the Year, and the Award for Design Achievement going to the Linde design team led by Paul Eckersley. For Toyota, the event marked a record-equalling five wins in the product and service categories.
The other three Award presentations drew appreciative responses for Alan Bird of Second City Fork Truck (Services to the FLTA), for Jim Brindley of the National Fork Truck Heritage Centre (Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry) and for the amazing dedication of one of the industry’s elder statesmen, Bill Phipps (Lifetime Achievement). Bill Phipps’ presentation, greeted with tremendous applause from all sections of the audience, was the most memorable moment and provided an emotionally charged finale to the ceremony.
Summing up the evening, FLTA Chairman Paul Nichol said: “The winners – and finalists – in this year’s Awards reflect excellence at work in our industry. They stand as a testimony to the standards that can be achieved by the innovative, the imaginative… and the committed.”
For more information on the Annual Awards for Excellence or the Fork Lift Truck Association, visit the website at www.fork-truck.org.uk, email: mail@fork-truck.org.uk, call 01256 381441, fax 01256 381735 or write to David Ellison, Chief Executive, Fork Lift Truck Association, Manor Farm Buildings, Lasham, Alton, Hants, GU34 5SL.
Finalists and winners in full follow…
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2006
Sponsored by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks
3rd Prize – Stephen Whitten of Windsor Engineering Ltd
Runner-up – Chris Vasarhelyi of Linde Castle Ltd
Winner – Jonathon Done of Jofson Mitsubishi
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2006
Presented by the Fork Lift Truck Association
Colin Dewdney of Doosan Infracore UK Ltd
SERVICES TO THE FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION
Presented by the Fork Lift Truck Association
Alan Bird of Second City Lift Truck Ltd
SERVICES TO THE FORK LIFT TRUCK INDUSTRY
Sponsored by Doosan Infracore UK Ltd
Jim Brindley of the National Fork Truck Heritage Centre
DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT 2006
Sponsored by Calor
The Design Team at Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd, led by Paul Eckersley
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2006
Sponsored by Storage Handling Distribution Magazine
Finalists:
Albury Asset Rentals Ltd
B&B Attachments Ltd
De Lage Landen Leasing Ltd
Intrupa (UK) b.v.
Invicta Forks & Attachments
TVH UK Ltd
Watts Industrial Tyre Services Ltd
WB Powersource Ltd
Winner – Albury Asset Rentals Ltd
SAFETY 2006
Sponsored by Narrow Aisle Ltd
Finalists:
Ashtree Glass – MX 943 Wide Angle Safety Mirror
Doosan Infracore – Active Safety Control on Pro-5 Series Electric Counterbalance
Linde – X Range of Reach Trucks
Mitsubishi – Integrated Presence System (IPS)
RTITB – 3rd Level Lift Truck Training and Assessment Software
Safeguard Systems – Safe-truck High-visibility Inspection Paddles
STILL – Side Battery Change on RX 20 Electric Counterbalance
Toyota – SpeedSafe Automatic Speed System
Winner – Doosan Infracore UK Ltd
ERGONOMICS 2006
Sponsored by Albury Asset Rentals Ltd
Finalists:
Linde – X Range of Reach Trucks
Toyota – Proportional Power Steering on 7SLL Stacker
Yale – Veracitor™ VX Series 1.6-3.5 tonne IC Engine Counterbalance
Winner – Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd
INNOVATION 2006
Sponsored by CMP Batteries Ltd
Finalists:
B & B Attachments – PowerMount Rapid Changeover Unit
Hyster – Duramatch™ Transmission on Fortens™ Lift Truck Range
Jayline – Fork and Load Protectors
Linde – X Range of Reach Trucks
RTITB – National Operator Registration Scheme (NORS)
Toyota – Operator Presence Sensing (OPS)
Translift Bendi – Bendi Longloader
Yale – Veracitor™ VX Series 1.6-3.5 Tonne IC Engine Counterbalance
Winner – Toyota Industrial Equipment
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Presented by the Fork Lift Truck Association
Bill Phipps
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
In addition to the Awards Sponsors, mentioned above, the organisers wish to thank the Entertainment Sponsor Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd and the Event Supporters Curtis Instruments (UK) Ltd, Integrity Handling Ltd and Watts Industrial Tyre Services Ltd.
