The Awards winners last year.

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) has received a record number of entries for its Annual Awards for Excellence 2015 with more new companies competing this year.

Twenty-two companies from around the world sent 40 nominations to the FLTA Awards Committee, giving it its toughest challenge to deliver a set of finalists.

Peter Harvey, CEO of the FLTA, says: "We have some outstanding finalists and we hope that everyone with an interest in forklifts will visit our website and cast their vote for the remarkable new products that have won their way through to the shortlist."

Harvey says while some of the companies are household names, there are a number of businesses that are first-time entrants.

"It's a line-up that is nothing if not diverse. But every finalist in our Pick of the Year shares one thing in common: a commitment to creating something innovative and exceptional that will make a real difference to the lives of those who work with and alongside forklifts.

"Each has made a significant contribution to raising standards - which is why it is so important for their efforts to be recognised through an open vote by the people who actually stand to benefit from these achievements."

Anyone whose work involves materials handling equipment is entitled to vote. This includes those who own or hire forklifts, as well as those who manage, supervise or train forklift operators, and the operators themselves.

Voting is now open and will close on 15 January 2015.

The finalists are:

Environment
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd - EVO Electric 1.2-2T counterbalance
Marshall's Industrial Ltd - IMPCO reserve fuel tank
Practical Warehouse Solutions - StockSafe

Ergonomics
Cat Lift Trucks - NR-N2 reach truck
Combilift Ltd - Rotating operator console
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd - Tilting barriers on the V modular order picker
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks - EDiA EX 2.5-3.5T 4W electric counterbalance
Yale Europe Materials Handling - MR reach truck

Safety
Arcure SA - Blaxtair
Sany - 360 degree peripheral vision system
Jungheinrich UK - Benchmast hi-visibility mast
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd - Linde Safety Pilot
Stommpy UK - Stommpy barrier system
Toyota Material Handling UK - BT Levio LPE200-250: side guards with integrated protection
Visitronics Ltd - Impact electronic sign

Innovation
Aisle-Master - Narrow front Aisle-Master
CESAB Material Handling UK - Height adjustable tiller arm on the new p320
powered pallet truck
Flexi Narrow Aisle Ltd - FLEXIPiCK
Hubtex (UK) Ltd - SQ40 reach truck
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd - Linde Safety Pilot - Driver assistance system
Translift Bendi Ltd - B310 OP - Bendi Order Picker
Trelleborg Wheel Systems - Pit Stop Line
Yale Europe Materials Handling - MR reach truck