Bill Phipps (L) receiving the lifetime achievement award from FLTA president Richard Baxter (R).

Ten industry members have received Fork Lift truck Association (FLTA) annual awards for excellence, known as the Archies.

At a presentation ceremony in Birmingham's Hilton Metropole last month, FLTA vice-chairman John Chappell, who co-hosted the event with chairman Paul Nichol, praised the finalists who had got through the initial nomination stage.

"Each and every finalist is a ‘best buy’ – an individual, product or service that has raised the bar for all those who come after," Chappell said.

Jofson Mitsubishi saw one of its trainees win the apprentice of the year award for the second time in three years while Albury Asset Rentals won the supplier of the year award for the second year.

Doosan and Linde each took home two awards and Toyota won its fifth award in the product and service categories.

The winners are:-
Apprentice of the year 2006:
Jonathan Done, Jofson Mitsubishi

Employee of the year 2006:
Colin Dewdney, Doosan Infracore UK Ltd

Services to the Fork Lift Truck Association:
Alan Bird, Second City Lift Truck Ltd

Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry:
Jim Brindley, National Fork Truck Heritage Centre

Design Achievement 2006:
The Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd design team, led by Paul Eckersley

Supplier of the year 2006:
Albury Asset Rentals Ltd

Safety 2006:
Doosan Infracore UK Ltd for its active safety control

Ergonomics 2006:
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd for its X range of reach trucks

Innovation 2006:
Toyota Industrial Equipment for its operator presence sensing system

Lifetime Achievement:
Bill Phipps

For more information on the FLTA, visit the website at www.fork-truck.org.uk or email mail@fork-truck.org.uk.