The achievements of both companies and individuals across the warehousing and third party logistics (3PL) sectors were recognised at UKWA’s tenth Annual Awards for Warehousing ceremony held recently at London’s Dorchester Hotel. A total of eight awards were presented and this year the Association received a record number of entries in all categories. The winners were chosen by UKWA’s Awards Committee, which comprised of Phil Culling, Managing Director 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 number and quality of the entries we received underlines the professionalism that runs through the modern logistics industry.”
The winners of the 2009 UKWA Annual Awards for Warehousing were:
Best New UKWA Member Award: MDA Ltd
Since joining UKWA in August 2008, MDA has gone from strength to strength.
Already recognised as one of the UK’s leading provider of warehousing and logistics services in the marketing services sector, MDA capped what had been an excellent year by securing major 3PL outsourced contracts with Bacardi-Martini, Coral, Volkswagen, Miller Brands and Budweiser.
Technology and Innovation Award: Jungheinrich UK Ltd
Jungheinrich collected the Technology and Innovation Award for their automated pallet ID and scanning solution. An integral part of the forklift truck, the device brings considerable time and efficiency advantages to any warehouse operation.
Training Award: PD Logistics
PD Logistics made health and safety a priority in 2008 and this commitment to improve was communicated to all employees and subcontractors throughout the business. As a result, the number of accidents and reportable injuries within the operation dropped noticeably.
Warehouse Person of the Year Award: Darius Januskevicius, Evening Shift Team Supervisor, Century Logistics
“Darius’s commitment and quiet determination have ensured his rapid progression from warehouseman to team leader and on to supervisor of the night shift,” said Dave Riches, Century’s warehouse manager, who nominated Darius for this award. Darius’s team is responsible for the picking, packing and collation of over 16,000 pallets per year to over 600 independent nursery stores throughout the UK and Ireland. “Quite simply, the operation would not be the success it is today without the influence of Darius,” added Dave Riches.
Team of the Year: DHL
In 2008, continuing business growth led Brother UK, the leading electronics manufacturer, to outsource its warehouse operations. In looking to identify productivity and cost improvements, the company chose DHL Supply Chain. In just over 12 months, a strong relationship developed between the two companies and Brother has seen significant improvement to its warehousing efficiencies. Brother nominated DHL for the award for the commitment, ingenuity, efficiency and added value it has delivered.
Environment Award: Chaucer Freight
With an eye on environmental best practice and transport and logistics sustainability, Chaucer Freight has rolled out an initiative focused at reducing its carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2020. The company has also launched a new division, ‘Chaucer Environmental Services’ which provides consulting services to customers and suppliers wishing to reduce their own carbon footprints. This service has also helped Chaucer to obtain their own ISO certification and is a first for the industry.
Journalist of the Year: Brendan Coyne, Handling & Storage Solutions
The judges considered that by taking an independent approach, Brendan Coyne has helped to establish his magazine as one of the liveliest and most informative publications in a sector that is well served by high quality journals.
Chairman’s Award: John Russell, John G Russell Transport Ltd
John Russell’s involvement with the logistics industry began in the mid 1950’s. By the end of that decade he had his own company – John Russell Grangemouth. When that business was absorbed into TDG, John became a regional director of TDG before leaving in 1969 to set up John G Russell Transport Ltd. The company now runs a fleet of 250 trucks and 1.5 million square feet of warehousing.
“John Russell is a fine example of all that is good about our industry, and it is fitting that we can recognise his long term service with this Award,” commented Roger Williams, chief executive officer of UKWA during the presentation ceremony.
Over 400 UKWA members and their guests together with suppliers to the warehousing industry attended the Awards ceremony. The former political journalist, John Sergeant, hosted the event.
The UKWA Awards for Warehousing 2009 were sponsored by Jungheinrich UK Ltd. Individual Awards were sponsored by: Redirack Ltd; Linde Materials Handling UK Ltd; Translift Bendi Ltd; Bibby Distribution Ltd; Skills for Logistics; Lutterworth Electrical Ltd; Warehouse Technology Group and Somar International Ltd
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