UKWA recognises the best in the logistics industry

Jul 07, 2018 Warehousing Ireland Awards, Events Comments Off on UKWA recognises the best in the logistics industry

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Companies and individuals across the logistics sector were rewarded for their outstanding performance and professionalism at the UKWA Awards 2018, which took place at London’s Dorchester Hotel on July 4th.

Over 450 logistics professionals attended the lunch event which was hosted by the journalist and broadcaster, Andrew Marr.

A total of 10 UKWA Awards were presented and the winners were:

• Best New UKWA Member – DAP UK Ltd

A corporate award given to the company showing the highest professional standards of warehousing on joining UKWA, this year’s Best New UKWA Member was DAP UK Ltd. DAP operates facilities in Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe and Rugeley from which it offers full freighting and distribution services worldwide.

• Young Employee of the Year – Sam Collins, Walker Logistics Ltd

Sam Collins of Walker Logistics Ltd demonstrated the outstanding personal and professional qualities and leadership potential required. Bob Montague, Walker Logistics’ managing director, said of Sam: “From day one Sam has shown an impressive ability to cope with the pressure and stress brought by working in a fast moving environment where accuracy and speed are essential.”

• Manager of the Year – Donald Gillies, Bullet Express Ltd

The judges were seeking an individual with excellent personal and professional qualities and Bullet Express’s Donald Gillies was their unanimous choice. Donald was nominated by Bullet Express’s David McCutcheon, who commented: “Donald has standards that he will not fall below, regardless of how busy we are. He cares passionately about every pallet and his attitude has transmitted to our staff. From day one Donald has shown great skill and dedication to his role which is why we feel he has earned the right to be UKWA Manager of the Year 2018.”

• Environment Award – Howard Tenens

The Award to the company that demonstrates the most significant and successful application of ‘Green processes, procedures or monitoring’ during the year went to Howard Tenens. A number of green initiatives undertaken by the company – including the introduction of dual-duel vehicles and the installation of solar photovoltaic technology at a number of its sites – have resulted in significant reductions in Howard Tenens’ CO2 emissions.

• Award for Innovation – Gotelee Solicitors

Gotelee Solicitors collected this year’s UKWA Technology and Innovation Award for its Guardian Product Safety Due Diligence App, which helps e-commerce distributors to negotiate the regulations laid down by HMRC in the Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS).

• Training Award – International Logistics Group

This award, which is given for training achievement and can be presented to an individual or an organization, went to International Logistics Group (ILG) for its focus on the continuous training and development of its workforce. The company operates a programme for employees across the business – from school leavers to senior managers – to enhance their skills sets and each year offers an internal management development scheme to enable current employees to gain a professional qualification and fast track their careers.

• Customer Service – Granby Marketing Services

Granby Marketing Services is a privately-owned 3PL based in Lancashire and its commitment to providing outstanding levels of customer service is reflected in the length of time it has worked with many of its key accounts: 13 years with Sainsburys, for example, and six years with Compare the Market. And, in Granby’s latest annual client satisfaction survey, 100 per cent of respondents said that they considered Granby to be ‘invaluable’ to their business success.

• Infrastructure Project – John Lewis plc

This new award which recognises a new or improved logistics building or logistics park development, went to John Lewis plc for the latest phase of its Magna Park 2 development which went live in 2017. Overall, the John Lewis Magna Park Campus has an operational footprint of over 2 million sq ft. The total investment in automation at the site exceeds £150million and the campus services both retail outlets and online sales from a stock holding of nearly 12 million units at peak spread across a range of 260 SKUs.

• Logistics Service Provider of the Year – Miniclipper Logistics

In 2016 Miniclipper Logistics was announced as the winner of UKWA’s Warehouse Company of the Year award and that success has only served to make the company more determined to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of its business. During the last two years Miniclipper has created an additional 2000 pallet locations by investing in a new VNA racking layout while a spend of some £107,000 in an upgraded WMS has brought further efficiency to the business.

•. Chairman’s Award – Chris Sturman

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, Graeme Undy, chose Chris Sturman as this year’s recipient.

Chris Sturman has spent over 40 years in multi-modal logistics and supply chain management roles and, since 2009, has been CEO of the Food Storage and Distribution Federation.

Graeme Undy commented: “Chris is a consummate professional and, equally importantly, a genuinely good bloke and is very deserving of the UKWA Chairman’s award. He is a fine example of all that is good about the logistics sector and the award is recognition of UKWA’s appreciation of everything Chris has done for our industry.”

UKWA CEO, Peter Ward, commented: “The UKWA Awards are established as symbols of achievement and emphasise the importance of logistics within today’s economy. The high number and quality of the entries we receive each year underlines the professionalism that runs through the modern logistics industry and I thank all those companies and individuals that took the time to enter. Congratulations to all the finalists and, of course, the winners and special thanks to our sponsors for their outstanding support.”

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