The wait is finally over as the lucky winners of the Hire Awards of Excellence 2011 were revealed at an exclusive ceremony on Saturday.
Hosted by HAE and sister trade association EHA, the annual awards evening celebrates the outstanding achievements and hard work of members of the hire industry.
This year's event beat all past records with more than 300 guests - almost a 66 per cent increase on last year - attending the glamorous ceremony held at new venue, the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Paul Ross, TV presenter and older brother of Jonathan Ross, was the evening's host and announced the 12 winners after a three course meal held in the hotel's famous Ballroom.
The Hire Awards of Excellence Winners and Highly Commended 2011:
Excellence in Customer Care:
HSS - Winner
Excellence in Training:
Speedy Hire - Winner
Excellence in Health and Safety:
WHC Hire Services - Winner
Catalogue of the Year:
GAP Lifting - Winner
Astley Hire - Highly commended
Product of the Year:
A Plant for their ATHU Auto Tool Hire Unit - Winner
GT Trax for their Megasol - Highly commended
Website of the Year:
A Plant - Winner
Hirebase - Highly commended
Supplier of the Year:
inspHire - Winner
Youngman Group Ltd - Highly commended
Event Hire Company of the Year (single outlet):
Allen's Catering Hire - Winner
Event Hire Company of the Year (multiple outlets):
Ev-ent Furniture Hire - Winner
Tool, Equipment and Plant Hire Company of the Year (up to five outlets):
WHC Hire Services of Worcester - Winner
Blythewood Plant Hire Ltd - Highly commended
Tool, Equipment and Plant Hire Company of the Year (more than five outlets):
GAP Group - Winner
Hire Achiever of the Year:
Nicola Laws of Hubbway in Cramlington - Winner
Kevin Betts of Speedy Hire Colchester - High commendation
Graham Arundell, managing director of HAE/EHA, said: "The Hire Awards of Excellence 2011 honoured the outstanding achievements made by the members of our industry. Judging was particularly difficult this year with so many great entries.
"For me the awards are so important as they showcase how good our industry is and the commitment that our industry shows in enabling other industry sectors to perform. I would like to say congratulations to all of the winners, highly commended and shortlisted companies."
HAE/EHA represents more than 3,000 member locations across the UK, Ireland and Europe and offers a wide range of services and member benefits. For more information visit the website www.hae.org.uk