Recognising excellence

Now in its 17th year, the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards serves as a 'Pick of the Year' for materials handling products and acknowledges those who strive to raise standards throughout the fork lift truck industry

As is usual at the FLTA Awards evening, the winners represented every facet of the business - from apprentices to industry stalwarts, and manufacturers to ancillary equipment suppliers.With the assistance of BBC Radio 2's Sally 'Traffic' Boazman, representatives from the event's Sponsors (Albury Asset Rentals, Doosan Infracore, GNB Industrial Power, Hitachi Capital,Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks and Samuk lift Trucks), presented the annual Awards.

Traditionally, the Awards' final four product categories are the most hotly contested and, according to the FLTA, this year was no exception as a record number of finalists vied for the top spot.

Manufacturers Hyster (Environment), Cat (Ergonomics),Mitsubishi (Safety) and Linde (Innovation) emerged victorious from a series of open, public votes and were handed a much coveted, bronze 'Archie' statuette.

The award to Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks award-winning work, including: Adam Payne of Barloworld Handling (Apprentice of the Year), Tracy Zissler of Rushlift (Employee of the Year) and Paul Nichol of United Forktrucks (Services to the Fork Lift Truck Association).

The evening saw Peter Wooldridge of Flexi Narrow Aisle presented with the Award for Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry in recognition of his groundbreaking innovations. He was described by the FLTA as 'an innovator and entrepreneur, whose expertise - both as an engineer and as a businessman - has helped to change the face of the fork lift truck industry... and not once, but twice.' Wooldridge has been designing warehousing trucks and building them in the UK since the mid 1970s. His first creation, the Rota-Reach earned him an appearance on Tomorrow's World.

On receiving the Award,Wooldridge commented: "British manufacturing success stories are all too rare these days and, in the forklift industry they are almost unhead of, so I consider this award to be not simply a reward for my efforts, but recognition of the marvellous quality of the products that my team builds."

Lifetime achievement The Awards cermony reached its climax as the highest honour of the evening - the Lifetime Achievement Award - was awarded posthumously to Brian Nealon of Bendigo Mitchell. The audience rose in unison to honour one of the Association's greatest champions. Nealon served the FLTA, as both chairman and president and, in presenting the Award, FLTA President John Chappell recognised Nealon's pivotal work in "laying the foundations for the Association's success." Sons Alastair and Duncan accepted the solid bronze 'Archie' on their father's behalf in front of a capacity audience which included many of his family, friends, colleagues and customers.

"Awards 2011 has been a resounding success," says FLTA Chairman Martyn Fletcher. "By shining a spotlight on all that is good in materials handling industry, we have helped - for more than 17 years - to encourage excellence throughout the fork lift truck industry and beyond. In responding to the real issues facing fork truck users, each of our 'Pick of the Year' finalists and winners represents a significant advance in ensuring materials are moved more safely, more efficiently and with less impact on the environment. It was a celebration in so many ways, with a genuine party atmosphere reflecting a renewed optimism in our industry."