The RTITB and SUMO GLOVE National Lift Truck Operator of the Year Competition 2008

RTITB and SUMO GLOVE announce the first ever National Lift Truck Operator of the Year Competition 2008.
Open to any counterbalance operators registered on the RTITB National Operator Registration Scheme (NORS).
Held in regional stages, with the top two from each of five regions going forward to the national final.

Each regional champion and runner up will go forward to the national grand final to be held at RTITB headquarters' in Telford with the national champion winning a new five door Ford Fiesta Duratorq, second and third prizes of a luxury holiday and European city break weekend. A gala prize winner's dinner will be held on the evening of the grand final.

Editors Notes:
1. Potential competitor pool 80,000
2. Regional finals will be held at Barloworld locations
3. Warehouse test equipment will be courtesy of Linpac
4. Regional champions and runners-up will receive cash awards and trophies

Competition Stages:
To maximise entrant numbers the first stage will comprise of a web based theory and hazard perception test. Tied contestants will complete a further round of tests in order to qualify for a place in the regional final. Second stage involves a 45 minute practical test of operating skills

How to enter:
Entry is free to any NORS registered operator who passed their test with less than 25 penalty points (instructor standard) and scored 90% or above on the theory test.

Competitor registration will available on-line from 7th April to 9th May 08
For further information contact:
RTITB – Alex Nelson – DD 01952 520208, Mobile 07803 496861 email
alex_nelson@rtitb.co.uk or marketing@rtitb.co.uk

SUMO GLOVE – Simon Ross – DD 01279 815757, mobile 07833 323775 email
simonross@sumoglove.com

Industry Reaction:
Carol Grainger – Programme Manager of HSE's Workplace Transport Programme said;

“HSE is always looking for innovative ways to improve safety. The National Lift Truck Operator of the Year competition presented by RTITB in association with SUMO GLOVE will do that by raising awareness of accredited training and the benefits that regular appropriate training has on safety and efficiency. It is very pleasing to see operators given the opportunity to show –case their safety skills and knowledge. It happens all too rarely. HSE wishes this competition every success”.

James Clark – Secretary General BITA said:

“BITA plays an active role in the promotion of health and safety and very much welcomes news of the first RTITB National Lift Truck Operator of the year competition, presented in association with SUMO GLOVE. The competition will raise awareness of the need for regular accredited training and highlights its importance in raising safety standards”. James went on to wish everyone involved in the competition every success.

Garry Fillingham – National Driver Training Manager Barloworld Handling said:

“Barloworld Handling is committed to improving the standards of lift truck operator training within the materials handling industry and we are happy to support the RTITB and SUMO GLOVE National Lift Truck Operator of the Year competition.”

Danilo Oliynik – Commercial Director, UK & Ireland Linpac Allibert Said:

“Linpac Allibert is proud to support the RTITB and SUMO Glove National Lift Truck Operator of the Year competition. With safety and handling efficiency at the forefront of our product design we're excited to be part of this event to showcase best practice and performance”.

Brief details – RTITB
RTITB Limited (formerly The Road Transport Industry Training Board) has been synonymous with the road freight and logistics industry for 40 years.

Training carried out by RTITB accredited organisations is placed on to the National Operator Registration Scheme (NORS) database. NORS is a centralised, validation, registration, and certification scheme, which ensures the training, is verified against RTITB guidelines so that all training meets our high standard. It also enables employers to easily identify properly trained RTITB operators via our database.

Over 84,000 operator qualifications have been registered on NORS and over 8000 registered instructors are on the RTITB database. RTITB sets the training standard by modernising training materials and systems

RTITB is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) and Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for lift truck and mechanical handling equipment accreditation. RTITB accredits over 580 locations across the UK and Ireland including over 90 lift truck instructor centres. RTITB accredits organisations to deliver Lift Truck Operator Training, Lift Truck Instructor Training, LGV Driver Training, LGV Instructor/Assessor Training, Digital Tachograph Training for Drivers, Managers and Trainers and bespoke courses for specialised machinery used in construction, ports, airports, rescue services and many more.

Brief details –SUMO GLOVE

Sumo Glove comes to the market after extensive development and testing which has resulted in a patented system that will revolutionise every sector that moves or stores goods. Companies will now be able to substantially reduce damage across the board and improve upon safe practice in the work place. No longer will they have to deal with the unaccountable losses from lift truck damage.

Made from a specially designed urethane composite and attached to the forks
using a 3M developed high performance bonding system, the unique shape of
the Sumo Glove allows impact force to be reduced by up to 5 times, thus substantially reducing damage. Companies will now be able to address a problem for which until today, there has been no solution.

With the United Kingdom sales & distribution network having been exclusively awarded to the www.5es.co.uk, everyone will be able to see the immediate effect the Sumo Glove will have to their operation.

Sumo has earmarked a substantial marketing budget for 2008 in order to get the message out to as many potential users as possible.