More than 500 people packed the Birmingham Hilton Metropole for the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Annual Awards for Excellence 2003 on February 8.

Seven materials handling industry individuals and companies carried off the prized solid bronze Archimedes statuettes, "Archies".

FLTA chairman Brian Warbrick said the Archies were "potent symbols of the industry's quest for excellence". He applauded the industry's attitude to safety and the environment.

"Recognised nationally and internationally as the industry's ultimate accolade for an individual, a product or a service, the Archie holds an enormous influence and prestige," Mr Warbrick said.

"The high quality of nominees and winners confirms we are continuing to follow in the footsteps of Archimedes ... using our ingenuity to take the capabilities of people, aided by machines, to new levels."

Archimedes was a Greek mathematician and physicist.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2003
Nominees - Stuart McGilvray, Yale Materials Handling UK Ltd; Andrew Radbourne, Acclaim Handling PLC; Chris Ryalls, Lansing Linde Jewsburys Ltd.
Winner - Stuart McGilvray.

SERVICES TO THE FORK LIFT TRUCK INDUSTRY 2003
Winner - Lloyd Arkill Storage Handling Distribution magazine.

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2003
Nominees - Deta Batteries, Industrial Division; MSI Mechforge Ltd; North Warwickshire & Hinckley College; Pyroban Group Ltd.
Winner - Deta Batteries, Industrial Division.

SAFETY 2003
Nominees - Atlet Ltd; Lansing Linde Ltd; Toyota Industrial Equipment (UK) Ltd.
Winner - Toyota Industrial Equipment (UK) Ltd.

ENVIRONMENT 2003
Nominees - BT Rolatruc Ltd; Lansing Linde Ltd; Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd; Still Materials Handling Ltd.
Winner - BT Rolatruc Ltd.

ERGONOMICS 2003
Nominees - Jungheinrich GB Ltd; Still Materials Handling Ltd.
Winner - Still Materials Handling Ltd.

INNOVATION
Nominees - Atlet Ltd; Lansing Linde Ltd; Still Materials Handling Ltd; Toyota Industrial Equipment (UK) Ltd.
Winner - Lansing Linde Ltd.