The second Linde Challenge in Dubai drew 67 participants.

Sixty-seven forklift operators from 35 companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the recent Linde Challenge in Dubai, organised by Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO).

The competition, held last month at the CHEP Pallet Yard in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai and open to all forklift drivers in the UAE, is a marketing initiative of the UAE Linde forklift distributor

FAMCO regional sales manager Husameddin Alnunu says "all major forklift users in various market segments, even non-Linde users" were invited to join the challenge.

However, the competition was not only held to underscore the importance of high professional safety standards and efficiency among forklift operators.

"The main aim is to let the forklift operator feel the difference using the Linde machine in terms of comfort, productivity and safety," Alnunu explains.

Designed to test versatility and productivity, the challenge involved the forklift drivers manoeuvring in confined spaces, stacking and de-stacking, and pre-use checking.

The first Linde Challenge, with 28 participants, was held at FAMCO's facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi in 2010. A third challenge is planned before the end of 2011 in Dubai.

"The idea was to implement the same event that [Linde has] in Europe, here in UAE. [This] was initiated by myself and Tamer Abbas, the territory sales manager. We plan to have it twice a year in industrial areas like Jebel Ali, Dubai Logistics City and Ras Al Khaimah," Alnunu says.

Event sponsor Emirates Gas provided prizes to the top 10 winners. The top three winners were: Rajendra from Aramex; Jesus Deia Cruz from Hellmann Logistics; and Raju Meethale from GAC.

Headquartered in Dubai, FAMCO is Linde's exclusive distributor in the UAE. Besides materials handling equipment, the company, which has bases in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah, also distributes heavy vehicles and machinery.