Annual Fork Lift Truck Awards Winners Announced in Industry's Own Oscar Week

UK – All eyes this week were firmly fixed on that most glittering of award ceremonies. No, not the Oscars but the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Awards 2016, held once again at the International Centre in Shropshire and hosted this time by the ever entertaining Gyles Brandreth. The event is keenly awaited by many in the materials handling industry, if not to win one of the eleven possible categories then at least to enjoy a reliably good night out.

A full list of the year’s winners can be seen on the FLTA website and one particularly happy recipient was this year’s Apprentice of the Year, Gavin Hersom, who works for fork lift truck manufacturer Jungheinrich and who was nominated by North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. Jan Lorenz, Managing Director, Jungheinrich UK commented:

“Well trained and dedicated young service engineers are vital to the long-term future of our industry. I am delighted that Gavin Hersom, one of our excellent young apprentices, has been recognized and rewarded in this way.”

In other categories Impact Handling picked up the Environment award, Heineken UK the Safe Site trophy whilst Welfaux Materials Handling collected the Customer Focus title. Investec was the Supplier of the Year, Crown Lift Trucks top in Ergonomics, JCB won for its Safety Record whist Cavion Baumann UK collected the Innovation award.

On more personal issues, Services to the Fork Lift Truck Association went to John Chappell, Services to the Industry to Richard Shore of Mentor Training, and Peter Wooldridge won the Lifetime Achievement award.

Photo: A good time was had by all (as can be seen on the dance floor).