The 2006 Bibby Distribution Fork Truck Driver of the Year contest was as keenly fought as ever with twelve challengers driving Atlet trucks to compete for the coveted award.
Previous contestants were joined by new faces for the eight-hour challenge to test skills in both the theory and practice of lift truck operation.
Atlet provided its UNS Tergo reach trucks and counterbalance trucks for the competition and Atlet service engineers assisted with invigilation and judging the rounds. Contestants took part in a written theory test, pre-operative and maintenance checks as well as the practical tasks of stacking and de-stacking pallets and loading a curtainside trailer. The time-limited obstacle course was - in the opinion of the competing drivers - as usual just a little tougher than the previous year's.
The Fork Truck Driver contest was again held at the MOD's driver training base at Leconfield and the contestants were drawn from Bibby sites across the UK. This year the weather, which hasn't always been kind in the previous five years of the competition, was fine with only a light wind.
Awarded title of Bibby Distribution Fork Truck Driver of the Year was Steve Seymour from the Scunthorpe site, with Rob Fagg from Bicester coming second in the competition and Lee Jacklin, also from Scunthorpe, a close third. Paul Foster from Bicester came first in the circuit section, Craig McArthur from Belfast took the award for stacking, Davison Chitandwa from Leeds triumphed at lorry loading while Matthew Mansfield from Crewe excelled at maintenance and Gary Leigh from Avonmouth at the theory section.
All competitors attended a celebratory awards ceremony and dinner. The overall winners were presented with their prizes by Sir Michael Bibby, Managing Director of the Bibby Line Group, who announced further
celebrations to be held for the Bibby Line bi-centenary in 2007.
Commenting after the awards Martin Howard, Personnel Director at Bibby Distribution said, "The competence and skill of Bibby drivers operating some of the finest of trucks in the world is something to be celebrated as materials handling is at the centre of our business. Since the competition was established in 2001, with Atlet's assistance, we've built a challenge
which gives the most talented of our drivers the recognition which is due to
them. "
contact:
Paul Forster
Atlet Limited
Tel: 01844 215501
Fax: 01844 219220
website: www.atlet.co.uk