Viva Las Vegas...
April 11th 2008

A little bit of Vegas came to Birmingham when an unexpected appearance by Elvis set the tone for a night of pleasant surprises at the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence 2008.

An unexpected appearance by Elvis set the tone for a night of pleasant surprises at the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence 2008. Held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 9th February, the event was hosted by FLTA Chairman John Chappell and Vice- Chairman Martyn Fletcher, whose entry to the stage followed a rousing musical opening by Elvis impersonator JD Memphis.

Nine Award categories were included in this year’s ceremony, but first the hosts took time to present commemorative plaques to two Midlands-based companies – Jofson and Linde Creighton – marking the achievement of 25 years’ membership of the Association.

Unusually, there were two winners of the Apprentice of the year Award. Ben Duff of Jungheinrich and Joseph Turner of Toyota each received a framed certificate and a cheque from Terry Foreman of Mitsubishi.

The Employee of the Year Award reflected the warm respect felt by colleagues and customers towards Ian Stone of Windsor Engineering in Hull, who was presented with his framed certificate and a cheque by FLTA President Paul Nichol.

The decision to award the Archie for Design Achievement to Continental Tyre Group proved very popular. It was given in recognition of Continental’s innovative CSEasy tyre, which can be fitted using nothing but a simple torque wrench. Jenny Zhang and Sir Neville Bowman-Shaw of Samuk presented the ‘Archie’.

In an entirely new category, Sellafield became the first ever winner of the Safe Site Award. This acknowledged a body of excellent work by managers, drivers and banksmen alike to bring about safety improvements in the last two years. John Maguire of Narrow Aisle Flexi, presenting the Award, found himself surrounded by four Sellafield employees – all understandably keen to share in the celebration.

The announcement of Watts Industrial Tyre Services as Supplier of the Year was met with obvious approval from all corners of the room. Tim Waples of Doosan was on stage to make the presentation.

In the first of four categories decided by an open vote within the materials handling community, STILL won the Environment Award for its clean and fuel-efficient RX70 counterbalance. The Archie was presented by Marie Dunkley of GE Capital Solutions.

Crown topped the vote in the Ergonomics category with its versatile RC 5500 ride-on counterbalance. Nigel Darke of CMP Batteries made the presentation this time.

In the Safety category, Doosan was rewarded for its new rear grab bar with integrated horn which helps operators to reverse safely.

The Awards ceremony reached a climax with the presentation of the Innovation Archie to Komatsu by Kevin Lofting of Albury Asset Rentals. Komatsu’s winning product was the BX50 109 Compact, whose technology includes a super lift hydraulic system which doubles lift speed at low RPM and provides continuous power to the KAPS III steering system.

Details of these products – and those of all finalists – can be viewed on the FLTA website www.fork-truck.org.uk/awards. Following the ceremony, Elvis was back in the building for a half-hour set – during which he took the opportunity to meet and greet many of the guests at their tables. A fine band, Vegas, kept the audience dancing until midnight, delivering a highly polished mix of musical styles. Finally – and back by popular demand – versatile songstress Amanda treated guests to another powerful performance.

FLTA Awards regulars observed that they had never seen the dance floor so full for so long.

“Awards 2008 has been another resounding success,” said FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison. “We hope that by shining the spotlight on all that is best in materials handling we will have helped to encourage continued improvement in standards. Importantly, the Awards help ensure that truck users get to know that these developments are being made. Our thanks go to the many sponsors, partners and supporters who have made this possible.”

More articles from Fork Lift Truck Association: