Load cell manufacturer Straightpoint won the inaugural Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) Safety Award, presented in front of over 260 guests at a gala event staged on the first night of LiftEx trade show in Milton Keyes, UK.
Sponsored by lifting and rigging equipment provider Rigging Services, it was one of eight trophies to be given out on the evening as LEEA, the leading authority in the industry, used its flagship event to make a definitive move to recognise member companies and individual representatives for their success against specific judging criteria.
Straightpoint was also shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, Sustainable Solution of the Year, and Unsung Hero categories. Customer Service, Manager of the Year, and the Kevin Holmes Award (a memorial accolade developed to reward companies, teams and individuals who display excellence in people development) completed the list of honours.
Doug Price, technical manager at Rigging Services, presented David Ayling, director of Straightpoint, with the hefty piece of silverware. Celebrity guest speaker Matt Dawson, a retired England rugby union player and now a familiar face on UK television, joined them on stage. The evening was also notable for raising over £2,000 ($3,534) for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“The concept generally was well received and from a member’s perspective, the evening was a great success, befitting of an excellent LiftEx in totality,” Ayling said.
“To emerge victorious in the safety category was overwhelming given LEEA’s stature in the industry and the extent to which safety is in our company’s DNA.
“We underscore our work with the mantra ‘making the lifting industry a safer place’ and what stronger endorsement could there be that we’re meeting that objective?”
According to Paull Fulcher, director of Rigging Services, safety has always been a number one priority at the company and for employees, that’s inoculated in them from their first day.
“Sponsorship of this award was therefore natural in that it encapsulates our own ethos and we would likely find ourselves kindred spirits with the eventual winners,” Fulcher continued.
“We’re honoured to be associated with LEEA – the awards concept, which defines its work and the safety-centricity of this particular category.
“I had two reasons for offering my congratulations to David and Straightpoint – one with my company hat on and the other as a representative of the association.
“The identity of the awards must be absolute. Beyond that, with regards to the Safety Award, it can’t be subjective; there are objective measurements.
“A single nominee wouldn’t guarantee a winner, nor would the judges have bestowed the honour upon the best of a bad bunch. Thus, it must have been the opinion of the panel (comprising senior LEEA management and honorary life members) that Straightpoint were truly deserving – and that warrants sincere commendation.”
Dr Ross Moloney, CEO of LEEA, said the Awards is all about recognising the excellence of its members and showcasing it to the global lifting industry and to end-user markets.
“The response has been overwhelming positive – from the high number and impressive standard of entries to an outstanding turnout for an incredible evening,” Moloney added.
“I thank all of those companies and individuals that took the time to enter. Congratulations to all the finalists and, of course, the winners and special thanks to our sponsors for their outstanding support.”