Organisers of last month's Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Awards 2002 say the event was the "biggest and best" in its seven-year history.

More than 500 forklift industry figureheads packed the Hilton Metropole for the "Archies", the FLTA's version of the Oscars. FLTA chairman Brian Warbrick said the event attracted more nominations and sponsors than in the past.

"This event has come from humble beginnings to be the premier event on the materials handling calendar. Winning an Archie is a huge endorsement," he said.

The ceremony included presentations to companies which had been FLTA members for 25 years. Plaques were presented by FLTA president Brian Nealon to DAC Plant managing director Alexander Dix and Watts Industrial Tyres managing director Doug Pearson.

The winners were:

Safety - System 5000, Pyroban Group. Other nominees were Ausa and Jungheinrich GB Ltd.
Environment - AC technology, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. Other nominees were Barloworld Handling and Jungheinrich GB Ltd.
Ergonomics - Swivel seat, Still Material Handling. Other nominees were Ausa and Jungheinrich GB Ltd.
Innovation - MACBAT battery regeneration system, Barloworld Handling. Other nominees were Combilift, JCB Compact Products Ltd, Jungheinrich GB Ltd and BT Rolatruc Ltd.
Supplier of the year - Albury Asset Rentals. Other nominees were Bolzoni Rentals Ltd, Deta Batteries Industrial Division, Transmon Engineering and TVH UK Ltd.
Apprentice of the year - Richard Simpson, Barloworld Handling.
Services to the forklift industry - Freddy Brown, Translift Engineering.
Services to the FLTA - Paul Bateman, former chairman.

Mr Warbrick said "the high quality of nominees and winners demonstrates that this industry continues to find innovative, new ways to increase productivity and enhance safety ... while taking a responsible attitude to the environment".