More than 500 people turned out at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole for the Fork Lift Truck Association's (FLTA) night of nights, the annual Awards for Excellence 2004.

An unprecedented 10 awards were presented across various categories. Here are the winners:

* Apprentice of the Year: Richard Taylor, Jofson Ltd;
* Services to the Fork Lift Truck Association: Brian Nealon, Bendigo Mitchell Ltd;
* Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry: Gil Male, Health & Safety Executive, engineering plant group;
* Design Achievement: Narrow Aisle Ltd;
* Supplier of the Year: Translift Engineering Ltd;
* Safety: Health & Safety Executive;
* Environment: Still Materials Handling Ltd and B&B Attachments;
* Ergonomics: Crown Lift Trucks;
* Innovation: Toyota Industrial Equipment;
* Lifetime Achievement Award: Peter Eckersley, Linde Material Handling.

FLTA chairman Richard Baxter said the Archies, named after the solid bronze statuettes of Archimedes presented to the winners, were recognised as the industry's highest accolade.

"For any individual, group or organisation winning an Archie, enormous prestige awaits. The great progress being made in raising industry standards, as reflected in the quality of the winners and nominees, is very encouraging," he said.