There was a touch of nostalgia about the launch of this year’s Northamptonshire Logistics Awards – one that demonstrated just how far the event has come since it was established in 2016.
The John Lewis warehouse at Grange Park, Northampton – which was the venue for the awards finals seven years ago – saw organisers, sponsors, past winners and special guests gather to declare the 2023 awards officially open.
Long-time headline sponsors MHA were in attendance, as were representatives from the town’s newest logistics centre Active Ants on the Brackmills Industrial Estate. New sponsors Rushlift, Route1 Group, More Driver Solutions, BADGP and Commsave Credit Union were announced, joining existing sponsors All Things Business, Barclays, C Butt Logistics, Logistics Solutions Group, RHA, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Dachser, Northampton College, Barclays and UKWA.
Those who’ve seen the benefits of entering and winning the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards spoke about their experiences. Kevin O’Brien, Director of Compliance at C Butt, sponsor of this year’s Logistics Temporary Staff Agency of the Year award, said:
“The Northamptonshire Logistics Awards has a fair, transparent process throughout judging that opens the door for new businesses while retaining traditional logistics businesses. We are all striving on a daily basis to satisfy customers, and being nominated is the icing on the cake. While most remember the winners, even being nominated or shortlisted is a measure of success.”
Jim Wright, from Wright Logistics Services, who won last year’s Community Engagement Initiative of the Year award, said:
“Winning awards at the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards, including my first in 2016 and the most recent last year for work in the community, makes all the hard work worthwhile. Having worked in logistics for over 50 years as well as mentoring advising others, I have been able to support several local organisations and I felt very honoured not only for myself but others that have worked for me or with me, and I am equally as proud to be recognised by my peers and the logistics sector in Northamptonshire.
“It is not very often that we in logistics and distribution get recognition for our work, and this made me feel very humble, proud and excited, and each trophy sits with pride in my office. The Northamptonshire Logistics Awards are a massively important event, I would encourage anyone in the logistics arena to apply.”
Justyna Sodel from NN1 Personnel said:
“Winning at the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards was a huge accomplishment and a milestone for NN1 Personnel. It made us proud of our team and the hard work we all put in. This recognition boosted our reputation and recognised us a trusted partner in the logistics industry. Winning the award opens up new opportunities to grow and work with new clients.”
Entries and nominations are now open for the 13 categories in this year’s awards, closing on August 25. The finalists will be announced on September 8, at which time tickets will go on sale for the awards ceremony at the Northampton Town Centre Hotel, on Friday, October 13.
Tony Bellott, Chairman of the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum, said:
“We are very excited to see the launch of this year’s awards, with some new sponsors on board as well as welcoming back some that have supported it for some time now.
“Having the launch event took us back to John Lewis at Grange Park where the first awards ceremony was held. It was quite nostalgic to look back to the 2016 event, when we didn’t really know how it would be received, and it is testament to the support we’ve had from the business community, and the enthusiasm of the logistics sector, that this has grown into the event it is today.
“We believe passionately that the hard work in the logistics sector should be recognised, and I’m sure it will be again this year when we gather in October to celebrate those inspirational companies and individuals that play such an important part in Northamptonshire’s business economy.”
Find out more about the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards 2023 at nlawards.co.uk
