When Bill Phipps climbed to the rostrum to receive his Archie award in February, it would be his last appearance at the annual Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) awards ceremony (Forkliftaction.com News #249).

Phipps, 89, died on March 26, after almost 50 years in the forklift industry.

The FLTA lifetime achievement award winner's career began in 1946 with Coventry Climax. For 34 years, he served with the UK forklift manufacturer as salesman, area sales manager and eventually home sales director. During his time with Coventry Climax, Phipps travelled to Iran, Canada, Holland and Sweden.

In 1980, Bill launched his own consultancy business and advised Still in its UK business development. He ran the consultancy for 14 years before retiring.

FLTA president Richard Baxter, when presenting Phipps with the award, said: "How can you quantify the achievement and contribution of someone who has worked so hard for so long?

"The list of companies that benefited from his advice reads like a who's who of top industrial names - Ford, Metal Box, Bird's Eye and the Port of London Authority, to name a few.

"It's been said Bill had hydraulic fluid flowing in his veins and the words 'forklift truck' written through him like the lettering in a stick of rock."