The prestigious awards, now in their fourth year, saw more than more than 35 finalists gathering at the Park Inn hotel in Northampton – all examples of dedication, excellence, teamwork and hard work.
Supported by headline sponsors MHA MacIntyre Hudson, the awards were presented by local broadcaster, John Griff, and included performances from talented Northampton College Performing Arts students.
The event culminated with the Chairman’s Special Award, which for the first time was awarded to three committed individuals – a 75-year-old driver, an engineering apprentice and a woman committed to supporting ex-offenders, the homeless, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.
Tony Bellott, Chair of the Northants Logistics Forum, said: “This event has been an amazing celebration of talent and commitment from very special people, across many areas of the logistics sector in Northamptonshire.
“There have been so many refreshing and inspiring stories to take away that will make us even more determined and empowered to do better this year and make next year’s awards even greater. I’m really proud to be a part of this team and supremely confident that logistics in Northamptonshire is the biggest winner of all.”
Meet all our winners…
Emerging Talent of the Year – Sponsored by PALLITE
Winner: Megan Rigby, TruckEast
At just 22 Megan is already making an impression at TruckEast – delivering the very best service to customers, collaborating with management to embed changes and showing enthusiasm and drive in all she does.
Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by SOCIETAL
Winner: Harry Laverick, Fortec Distribution Network
In April Harry started his Marketing Executive level 4 and has been described by his colleagues as an exceptional apprentice – first joining the firm in 2017. Highlights include launching a bi-monthly internal newsletter, designing and building a website from scratch and designing an animation for the company’s national conference.
Inspiring in Schools & Community – Sponsored by Goodwill Solutions CIC
Winner: Michael Price & Christy Jones, Wincanton
Michael Price (Site Operations Manager) and Christy Jones (Health and Safety Manager) have both have worked tirelessly over the last year, working with Northamptonshire schools and colleges to promote the logistics industry. The duo developed interactive and engaging workshops, delivering four sessions to around 500 Year 8 students – playing interactive games which linked celebrities to the logistics sector.
Team of the Year – Sponsored by John Lewis & Partners
Winner: Wilson Browne
This company’s logistics team is committed to developing the logistics sector, is a proud member of the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum and a supporter of Forces Logistics Northants. One client, United Pallet Network, has described Wilson Browne as “an integral part of our extended management team”.
Health Safety & Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Linde Material Handling
Winner: Baxter Healthcare
Free fruit for all employees and visitors, a free flu vaccine for staff, healthy lifestyle workshop, a weekly cycling group and healthy eating campaigns twice a year – Baxter takes wellbeing very seriously. A three-minute video, put together by the safety committee, involved all site staff – showing that this culture is not only driven from the top down, but also the bottom up.
SME Company of the Year: Below 50 Employees – Sponsored by BHIB Insurance
Winner: SAS Logistics
This Brackmills based business employs 34 staff and describe their success due to its engagement with global brands, customer focus and the ability to react to situations to get the job done. Re-locating the business to Northampton, followed by rebranding, saw turnover soar – going from £1.8million in 2016 , and for 2018/19 the company is on track for achieving £2.7million turnover.
SME Company of the Year: Above 50 Employees – Sponsored by Wilson Browne Solicitors
Winner: The NX Group
Since October 2018 The NX Group has seen a significant rise in the number of enquiries regarding stockpiling for Brexit, especially from European customers. This is something the company is reactive to – providing additional warehouse spaces and advice to customers.
As a result of customer feedback it has modified services and operations, now operating 24/7, five days a week, providing 24-hour turnaround.
Growth Company of the Year – Sponsored by Kingsley Consulting
Winner: The NX Group
Since the company launched in 2010, The NX Group has grown year on year. International trade has been the largest area of growth, with Brexit discussions driving additional work from both existing and new European customers. Close links with European hauliers has led to additional warehouse customers who are stockpiling for Brexit and also existing customers wanting more transportation work.
HGV Driver of the Year – Sponsored by Isotrak Group
Winner: Marcus Betts, Wincanton
Marcus was quickly promoted to a Driver Trainer and along with standard duties Marcus carries out additional tasks – carrying out delivery point risk assessments, writing and training the Safe System of Work, annual driving assessments, inductions, classroom training and health and safety training.
Logistics Temporary Staff Agency of the Year – Sponsored by Spectrum for Arcadia
Winner: NN1 Personnel
Although not one of the biggest agencies, NN 1 Personnel is proud of its 100% attendance, unique in the temporary supply of staff.
The company is an active member of Logistics Forum and the first agency to take part in the innovative SEATS program – a pilot aimed at improving HGV driver quality and the co-operation between client, agency and driver.
Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by Brackmills Industrial Estate BID
Winner: Christy Jones, Wincanton
Christy is passionate about the health and safety of her colleagues and ensures the company is always legally compliant. Her priority each day is to ensure that colleagues are safe at work and go home in the same way in which they came in – injury free.
Chairman’s Special Award – Sponsored by ACS Recruitment – three winners:
Kenneth Circuitt, C Butt
Ken is regularly in the yard by 4am, inspecting vehicles with his work colleagues in all weathers and securing the yard before climbing into the cab to spend the day delivering to customers. Ken will be 75 this year and it is because of drivers like Ken that this company is thriving.
Matthew Heald, Morrisons PLC
Matthew overcame challenges during his engineering apprenticeship, having initially struggled with electrical drawings. With assistance and the encouragement of colleagues he was able to get to a stage where he felt comfortable to interpret drawings.
Marisa Baker, Kingsley Consulting
Over the last 18 months Marisa has carried the ambassadorial flag for the logistics sector, merging her passion for the sector with support for a more vulnerable sector (ex-offenders, homeless, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed) to provide a pathway back to work and, in some cases, back into society.
Christy Jones, Health and Safety Manager at Wincanton, won Achiever of the Year, a category sponsored by Brackmills Industrial Estate BID. She also won, with her colleague Michael Price, the Inspiring in schools & Community, sponsored by Goodwill Solutions CIC…
Stepping off the stage with her award she told us: “It’s my birthday today, so what better present. I’m really delighted with this award and proud of all that we do at Wincanton. Congratulations too to all our fellow winners. What an incredible celebration of talent and determination in the logistics sector.”
Annie Carney is EHS Manager at Baxter Healthcare, who won the Health Safety & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Linde Material Handling …
Annie said: “I’m very happy and genuinely very proud of everyone I work with. When I put all these initiatives in place my colleagues take them, roll with them and do so well. Really happy.”
