Kris Scarborough has won the Linde Material Handling (UK) annual Forklift Ultimate Operator Challenge.

Forklift driver Kris Scarborough, of British retailer Wilkinson, beat 15 other drivers to win the Linde Material Handling (UK) annual Forklift Ultimate Operator Challenge in West Yorkshire last month.

John Thompson, Linde driver training manager, says competitions held over the past nine months at customer sites and Linde's UK facilities narrowed down 350 competitors to the "elite 16" who competed in the national championship.

"The challenge tests operators' practical driving skills and challenges their knowledge of equipment pre-check and condition, which is a key element to ensuring the safe operation of any forklift," Thompson says.

About 100 supporters, comprising family members and company representatives, cheered the finalists on. The event included fun activities for supporters with children testing their driving skills on pedal-powered Linde forklifts and adults competing for the best lap.

Last year's winner, Andrew Rawson, of Boots UK, was second and Colin MacKay, of IPL, finished third.

Steve Redman, after sales director of Linde Jewsbury's Ltd, says the event is an integral part of his customers' forklift operator training programs. "It aims to promote best practice and encourage enhanced levels of personal safety and handling efficiency."

Linde also hosted its annual, international Stapler Cup last month. Germany's team of Stefan Theissen, Stephan Leifels and Bernhard Mösche won the overall competition followed by the Netherlands in second place and Hungary in third. The competition, held at the Schlossplatz in Aschaffenburg, Germany, saw teams from Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, the UK, and a joint team from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia compete for the title.