'Simply the best'

Double winners Combilift led an impressive field of champions, as the Fork Lift Truck Association presented its 18th annual Awards for Excellence at an Olympic-themed ceremony attended by athletics legend Sally Gunnell OBE

Since 1995, the FLTA Awards has served as a 'Pick of the Year' for materials handling products and services, rewarding those who strive to raise standards throughout the fork lift truck industry.

Presenting this year's Awards, Sally Gunnell was aided by Association chairman Martyn Fletcher, as well as representatives from sponsors B&B Attachments, BNP Paribas, Doosan Industrial Vehicle, Hitachi Capital, Interfit, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, Powercell and Yale Materials Handling.

The audience roared in approval as innovative Irish manufacturer Combilift collected the coveted 'Victor Ludorum' award - a gold-plated 'Archie' statuette created to mark the Association's 40th year.

The hallmarked trophy, presented for the pioneering 2008 Combi-CB multidirectional truck, marked Combilift's second success of the evening as its Combi-RT had already scooped the Award for Innovation.

Other winners included Linde's 394 displacement pump - Environment, Ravas M-Forks -Safety - and JCB's Changezee teletruk carriage - Ergonomics. Each received a solid bronze statuette following an open vote through the FLTA website.

Individual Awards were presented to Daniel McKinnon of Global Materials Handling - Apprentice of the Year, Clive Mansfield of EnerSys - Employee of the Year, and Jim Cameron of FB Chain, designer of the FB chain wear gauge - Services to Industry.

McCain Foods was named 'Safe Site' for its extensive use of Virtual Risk Manager to assess operators and focus training, and WB Powersource was named Supplier of the Year.

The show had been opened in dramatic fashion with a white-knuckle display from stunt cyclist Joe Oakley. After dinner Tina Turner tribute 'Kinisha' heralded the winners with 'Simply The Best' before a live band led dancing until the small hours.

Martyn Fletcher, chairman of the FLTA, comments: "Awards 2012 has been another resounding success. This event continues to celebrate all that is good in the materials handling industry and, for more than 18 years, we have encouraged and acknowledged the progress that has been made.

"While Combilift grabbed the headlines this evening, each of our 'Pick of the Year' champions and finalists represents a significant advance in ensuring materials are moved more safely, more efficiently and with less impact on the environment."