Logistica 2003, the triennial Dutch fair on logistics, held from November 11 to November 15, has been hailed a success by organisers and visitors.

Organisers told Forkliftaction.com News that 30,000 people visited the fair over the five days. The number of exhibitors was not available.

The fair opened with a Logistica award for innovation, presented to Meijer Special Equipment for its rollerforks, which are forks made with built-in rollers that can pick up slip sheets.

Meijer, a specialist in telescopic forks, donated the EUR10,000 (USD11,900) prize to the War Child charity.

On the closing day, forklift driver Anno Boer, who works at Omnia Plaatvloeren, was crowned driver of the year 2003 after winning a skills competition.

Clark Lift Nederland account manager Martin Jonkers told Forkliftaction.com News that his company had sold 30 Chinese-built Heli forklifts since taking on the Dutch distributorship in April.

Clark Lift found Heli through the Chinese company's Belgian distributor, Motor Products, which had sold 120 of the machines in two years.

Mr Jonkers predicted that if sales continued at the current rate for two years, the company's sales split would be 60% Heli and 40% Clark.