| 14/09/2006 - Vehicles & Plant Awards Winners Celebrate in Birmingham |
The winners of the 2006 Vehicles & Plant Awards were announced last night (13 September) at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
Over 200 people attended the awards dinner, hosted by Vehicles & Plant Technology magazine, to find out which companies and organisations would be named industry leaders in the collection, transportation, recycling and disposal of waste. Entries were received from local authorities, organisations, waste management companies and contract hire companies. The winners included:
End-of-life vehicle dismantler Albert Looms (Best Commitment to Health and Safety Practices, sponsored by FAUN) which judges said had "shown outstanding vision to embrace its obligations." The Derby-based company, with just 19 employees, assigned a health and safety consultant, implemented staff training and risk assessments and made considerable improvements to its first aid resources.
Ecoprocess UK (Developments in New Technology - Plant Equipment, sponsored by Allison Transmission) which developed an electric bin lift which saves 15-20% on fuel in comparison with conventionally hydraulically powered bin lifts. The lift also boasts reduced noise reduction, multiple safety features including automatic sensors to stop overweight bins being lifted and a built in modem to enable faults to be detected and rectified remotely.
Scarab Sweepers (Developments in New Technology - Vehicles, sponsored by RWM06) which adopted the use of Controlled Area Network Bus System (CANbus) technology to the great benefit of its customers. The judges acknowledged the ability of CANbus to reduce downtime, and praised it for being "clear, simple and easy to use" while also attractive to the eye.
William Whyte, Angus Council (Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by Materials Recycling Week) who helped to reduce the council's fleet age profile and drive up the MOT first-time pass rate from 34% in 2002 to 89% last year. William made improvements to the workshop and staff development, introducing a six-week inspection programme, tyre management system and upgraded roadbase fleet software.
TransLinc (Best Hire Company of the Year, sponsored by www.mrw.co.uk) which offers local authorities flexible contracts to suit their individual transport and financial needs, together with tailored management reports providing useful information for departmental managers. The judges were impressed with the customer feedback and said: "If they don't understand what customers want, nobody will."
Kettering Borough Council (Best Kerbside Collection Team of the Year, sponsored by Ecoprocess) which implemented a new recycling programme, boosting recycling rates to 35% (from 4% in 2004), and is hopeful of achieving 45% with the project's final phase. The judges praised the council's "one team" approach and broad-ranging communications campaign.
Phil Clifford, fleet manager at St Edmundsbury Borough Council was presented with the Vehicles & Plant Technology Gold Award for his work on the Public Authority Transport Network. Presenting the award, Malcolm Bates, consultant editor for Vehicles & Plant Technology, said: "Phil has been a leading light and instigator in developing network opportunities for those involved in public sector fleet operations. The sharing of knowledge and information has been crucial since the demise of Compulsory Competitive Tendering and this individual has made this happen across the country."
Speaking about the Awards, Jane Rayner, group editor for Vehicles & Plant Technology and Materials Recycling Week who chaired the judging panel said: "The safe and effective collection, disposal and transportation of waste and recyclables are of increasing importance to local authorities and waste management companies alike. Safety, efficiency and ease of use are all issues that end users require, and suppliers are under constant pressure to supply the latest up-to-date technology."
Many of the winners will be showing off their trophies at the Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition (RWM06) which is taking place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham today [14 September 2006]. RWM06 is the biggest and best attended event in the UK waste and recycling calendar.* For more information see www.rwmexhibition.com
*Audited by the ABC Profile Certificate of Attendance. 6443 registered visitor attendance. 1968 other attendance. |
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