UK – The absence this year of the always enjoyable live event which is the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards was surely missed by many, but the organisation was determined to press ahead in a year when the winners managed to triumph over a hitherto unknown level of adversity.
This logistics business has proved itself to be just about immune to everything, including a pandemic the like of which has not been seen before. The resilience showed through when, despite a year beset by multiple operational difficulties and uncertainties, there were many outstanding entries in the BIFA Freight Service Awards 2020, the very best of which were announced in a series of online video presentations this week.
In the Air Cargo Services category, which was sponsored by ASM UK, Simarco Worldwide Logistics triumphed over fellow finalists DHL Global Forwarding, Kerry Logistics and Ligentia Global. In announcing the Witham based company as the winner of the Award, Sharon Greer of ASM UK commented:
“The quality of entries in this category was very high and choosing a winner was a difficult task. The demonstration of new and innovative ways in which businesses are engaging with their customers, and developing their products and services is very impressive. It is great to see pioneering work taking place across the sector in the UK.
”Working with a healthcare products supplier, Simarco Worldwide Logistics reacted to a significant change in its customer’s requirements resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Simarco was tasked by its customer to handle increased quantities and reduce lead times for shipments from manufacture in Portugal and China to distribution centres in the US. By the end of September 2020, close to 500 tonnes of cargo had been shipped by air under DDP terms.”
Winner of the Ocean Services Award, sponsored by Port Express, was Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics, which overcame a strong challenge from fellow finalists Killick Martin & Company and Westbound Logistics Services.
DB Schenker took first place in the Project Forwarding category, sponsored by Peter Lole Insurance Brokers, defeating fellow finalists Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics; RIF Worldwide; Specialist Logistics Services and Ucargo. On behalf of the judges, Tracey Meaney of Peter Lole Insurance Brokers commented:
“DB Schenker provided a great demonstration of strategic project forwarding skills in aiding Hitachi Rail to review its import process for the transit of 135 railcars and panels being shipped from Japan to its manufacturing site in the UK for the UK West Coast Main Line. DB Schenker’s out-of-the-box thinking and critical examination of the existing methodology found a new route for this large-scale cargo, resulting in improved customs clearance, shorter delivery times, cost savings and a greener footprint.”
In the Specialist Services category, presented by Transaid, the winner was NNR Global Logistics; whilst the other finalists included B&H Worldwide; In Time Worldwide Logistics; and Lila International Logistics.
B&H Worldwide was revealed as the winner of the Supply Chain Management category, sponsored by BoxTop Technologies, beating off strong competition from fellow finalists Killick Martin & Company; Ligentia Global and Progressive 3PL.
Scooping first place in the Cool & Special Cargoes category, sponsored by TT Club was Gist which overcame fellow finalist, Killick Martin & Company. Michael Yarwood, TT Club managing director loss prevention, commented:
“Developing a bespoke cool supply chain solution with a UK partner, Gist was able to meet customer demands. The challenge to push the boundaries of the possible was met, resulting in an innovative, durable design boasting environmental attributes through reuse and the ability to be recycled.”
In the Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Descartes, United Worldwide Logistics literally went the extra mile to defeat fellow finalists Kerry Logistics; Moto Freight and Pentagon Freight. In selecting the South Glamorgan headquartered outfit as the winner in this category, the judges commented:
“During a challenging year that included restricted travel arrangements, United Worldwide Logistics worked closely with its customer to build a relationship and go that extra mile to help restore and grow its customer’s business whilst at the same time securing future business for itself. Its approach to working with customers and supporting their challenges was echoed in the testimonials received.”
Morrison Freight triumphed in the Staff Development category, which was sponsored by Albacore Systems.
Winner of the Apprentice of the Year category, which was sponsored by Seetec Outsource was Ryan Wilkes from Kuehne + Nagel, who defeated fellow finalists Chloe Hamlett (Charles Kendall Freight); Eloise Hill (DHL Global Forwarding); Stuart Lupton (DHL Global Forwarding); Ben Milligan (DHL Global Forwarding) and Harry Wilson (Ligentia UK).
Katy Hopkinson from Kuehne + Nagel defeated fellow finalists Jack Coope (B&H Worldwide); Sam Greenhalgh (Zencargo); Zoe Lowe (Kerry Logistics); Keegan Starkey (Specialist Logistics Services) and Beckie Vallance (Geodis) to win the Young Freight Forwarder category, which is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo.
Robert Keen, BIFA’s Director General undoubtedly found himself in a position he could never have hitherto imagined, moving from the normal live stage speech, backed up with a star guest and a master of ceremonies, to a pre-recorded, online tribute, following which he commented:
“BIFA has been delighted with the range of entries received to the BIFA Freight Service Awards 2020 from BIFA Members that managed to take the time to document their achievements while continuing to manage their businesses through incredibly trying times, which is a testament to their tenacity.
“It adds to the esteem in which the BIFA Freight Service Awards, which is now in its fourth decade and rightly seen as the blue riband event for the UK's freight forwarding and logistics sector, is held. I congratulate all the companies that won each category as well as those that were shortlisted as finalists.
“I would also like to recognise the support and contribution of the sponsors to the running of the competition this year. Representatives from the category sponsors have given their time to carry out judging and the selection of winners for each award.”
Transaid, as BIFA's charity of choice benefitted from an online donation scheme. You can contribute by texting TRANSAIDNOINFO to 70450 which will grant the charity £10 in ayear when donations from live events are sure to be down.
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