Fortec Distribution Network celebrates company’s annual awards ceremony

Licensee members of the Fortec Distribution Network celebrated outstanding levels of performance over the past 12 months at the company’s annual awards ceremony.

The glittering event, held at the stunning Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire, was attended by representatives from the 67-strong network of licensees from across the country.

It was an evening which not only focused on the achievements of the licensees but also raising funds for Zoe’s Place, a baby hospice which has sites in Coventry, Middlesborough and Liverpool which Fortec has supported over the past 3 years.

Now in its tenth year the awards ceremony has gone from strength to strength and this year attracted sponsorship from the Road Transport Group, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the Road Haulage Association, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Isuzu Trucks the proceeds of which was donated to the charity which together with the funds raised on the night totaled over £8,000.

A total of nine awards were presented on the night to the worthy winners with the prestigious Depot of the Year Award, sponsored by Motor Transport, going to Ipswich based Lombard Shipping for delivering outstanding overall performance in commercial, operational, administrative, compliance and branding. Described as being an all round example of excellence in a licensee it is the only company in the history of the awards to win the accolade for the third time.

Licensees Parker Transport (SW) Ltd, Prospect Commercials Ltd and TJL Transport Ltd won Exceptional Service Awards in recognition of service and compliance in a network that operates at a minimum of 99% on time every day.

Three Fortec People Awards, sponsored by Isuzu Trucks, were won by Dave Sykes of Bridgetime Transport Ltd, a hard working individual who oversees the Fortec operation within Bridgetime, Eddie Thompson of Border Traffic Services and Amanda Butler of Geodis Ireland were also praised for their consistent levels of performance and dedication to the Fortec operation.

JDL Logistics Ltd collected the Commercial Contribution Award for achieving the highest volume increase with Wyvern Cargo achieving runner up position within this category.

In memory of the company’s former Managing Director who died from cancer in September 2009, Fortec once again presented the Rod Abrahams Award in recognition of consistently going the extra mile for the benefit of their business, the Fortec network and customers. This year’s award was won by Andrew Leadbeater Transport for its exceptional service levels together with volume growth.

Border Traffic Services were voted the best Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by CILT having delivered exceptional service levels and volume growth according to plan within their first year since joining the Network.

A new award this year – Driver of the Year – was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Trucks and was won by Richard Reed of Newton Abbott based WL Vallance. Selected from a total of 54 drivers Richard first joined WL Vallance in 2001 and was described as ticking all the boxes in terms of attitude, appearance, reliability, timekeeping and fuel economy to name but a few.

The Members Award, sponsored by the RHA, which is voted by fellow licensees, was awarded to Millbray Pallets for its willingness to get things right first time. Millbray Pallets has been a member of the network for 10 years.

Finally the Directors Recognition Award went to Oxford Carriers. One of the first licensees to join the network, it is a company which consistently achieves high levels of performance with an average of 99.8% on time deliveries throughout 2012 and takes everything in their stride.

Neil Hodgson, Managing Director of the Fortec Distribution Network, said: "Congratulations to all licensees who won awards in this year’s ceremony. It is their consistent effort and determination to provide the very best service that makes the Fortec Distribution Network the success it is. We are very lucky as without exception all our licensees are run by ultimate professionals with staff that are only too happy to pull out all the stops for the sake of providing a first class service for customers.

"A special thanks too to each of our sponsors who made the evening extra special not just for our licensees but also their generosity in helping us to support such a worthy cause.

"I am proud to be at the helm of such a successful network. I look forward to continuing to work with our licensees in the future for the benefit of the Fortec brand and of course all our customers."