Companies and individuals across the warehousing and third party logistics (3PL) sectors were rewarded for excellence at UKWA’s Annual Awards for Warehousing 2013 ceremony, which was held recently at London’s Dorchester Hotel. The winners were chosen by UKWA’s Awards Committee, which comprised Phil Culling, Chairman of storage systems specialist Redirack; Mel Grainger, a past chairman of UKWA; and Roger Williams, the association’s Chief Executive Officer.
Roger Williams commented: “UKWA’s Awards are established as symbols of achievement in the 3PL sector and emphasise the importance of logistics within today’s economy. The high quality of the entries we received underlines the professionalism that runs through the modern logistics industry.”
A total of ten awards were presented and the winners were:
Training Award – sponsored by DP World London Gateway
Winner: Knights of Old
Knights of Old’s commitment to creating
a culture of continuous learning and development that encourages its employees to reach their full potential impressed the judges. The company calculates that each of its employees spends around 7 per cent of their time undertaking some form of training.
Technical Innovation Award – sponsored by RediGroup
Winner: Wiley with TGW Ltd
TGW delivered a fully integrated solution on time and within budget that utilises established sortation techniques plus a number of innovative and unique features to meet distributor to the publishing sector, Wiley’s needs.
Best New UKWA member – sponsored by Toyota Material Handling UK
Winner: Gem Logistics
From its purpose-built 250,000 sq ft warehouse in Northamptonshire, the company provides services to Amazon, Argos, Asda, M&S, Tesco, John Lewis, DSG, Weetabix, Dr Martens & Simplehuman (UK) Ltd among others and is the exclusive distributor for the Microsoft Xbox.
Warehouse Manager of the Year – sponsored by Knapp
Winner: Steve Vaughan, Expect Distribution Ltd
The judges were looking for an individual with excellent personal and professional qualities and had no hesitation in naming Steven Vaughan of Expect Distribution Ltd. Steve Vaughan joined Expect Distribution in June 2011 and, in a relatively short period of time, helped turn a loss making cost centre into Expect’s most profitable warehousing site.
Team of the Year – sponsored by Clarion Events
Winner: Century Logistics
The Century team working on behalf of the company’s client, Flooring Supplies, impressed the judges with their outstanding contribution over the past year.
Adrian Lee, managing director of Flooring Supplies, described the Century team as “the backbone of our business.” He added: “They work extremely hard to ensure that goods are picked, packed and ready on time and that stock is maintained efficiently and kept in a perfect condition.”
Young Employee of the Year – sponsored by Hoppecke
Winner: Sam Greenhalgh, Simarco Worldwide Logistics
The son of a Simarco HGV driver, 18 year-old Sam Greenhalgh joined Simarco International as an apprentice shortly after completing his GCSEs and took up a position within the company’s warehousing and distribution division. He has quickly established himself as a capable and committed member of a 15-strong team at the heart of operations for one of the country’s leading independent freight firms.
Environment Awards – sponsored by Lutterworth EcoLighting Ltd
Winner: Miniclipper Logistics
In 2012 Miniclipper undertook a project that aimed to turn a multi building transport and warehousing organisation into an ultra environmentally friendly operation. As a result of changes implemented, the company has been able to dramatically reduce its electricity consumption; offset part of its energy usage by introducing solar roof panels; recycle six tonnes of waste products and improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet
Customer Service Award – sponsored by Briggs Equipment UK Ltd
Winner: Bibby Distribution & Kellogg UK
Kellogg and Bibby Distribution have a commercial relationship that stretches back over 20 years and Bibby is a key part of Kellogg’s leadership team. Abzy Shaik, Kellogg UK’s distribution manager, commented: “We view Bibby as part of the team tasked to deliver our supply chain goals. The on site team are constantly challenging ways of working and coming up with new ways to improve. The management information they provide is invaluable and gives us the insight we need to make positive change in the operation.”
Junior Manager of the Year – sponsored by Advanced Business Solutions
Winner: Marie Rickets, Bibby Distribution Ltd
Marie Rickets began working for Bibby Distribution in 2008 as a part-time POD clerk. Over the past five years she has progressed in her role and is now administration and office manager. Among Marie’s achievements has been the implementation and development of a suite of KPIs for Bibby’s client, Kingspan, which has allowed Kingspan to introduce some notable efficiency measures.
Chairman’s Award – sponsored by Motorola Solutions
Winner: Ian Veitch, Yusen Logistics (UK) Ltd
The UKWA Chairman presents this Award to an individual or company who has made a real and lasting contribution to the logistics industry.
UKWA chairman John Maguire of Flexi Narrow Aisle Ltd chose Ian Veitch, managing director of Yusen Logistics (UK) Ltd.
Ian, who was recently appointed President of the Freight Transport, has a distinguished CV. After studying biology at University in Leicester, Veitch spent 15 years at British Road Services, which ultimately became Exel Logistics, followed by two years as a director at Christian Salvesen Distribution before joining NYK in 1994 as managing director of subsidiary company UCI Logistics. He became chief executive of NYK’s merged UK logistics businesses in 2005 and in 2007 was appointed to the Board of Corporate Officers of NYK Group in Japan, the first European to do so. His responsibilities increased and diversified in 2011 with the merger of Yusen Air & Sea and NYK Logistics, forming the new Yusen Logistics UK. He has been a member of the FTA Board since 2008 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Over 400 UKWA members and their guests, together with suppliers to the warehousing industry, attended UKWA’s Awards for Warehousing 2012 ceremony.
The main sponsor of the event was Jungheinrich UK Ltd, while individual Awards were sponsored by: Lutterworth EcoLighting Ltd, RediGroup, Knapp UK Ltd, Toyota Material Handling UK Ltd, Clarion Events Ltd, Briggs Equipment UK Ltd, Motorola Solutions, Advanced Business Solution, DP World London Gateway and Hoppecke Industrial Batteries Ltd.
www.ukwa.org.uk