EXPORT & FREIGHT > News

Seven years on, and the annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards just keep on attracting more entries, bigger audiences and top names from right across the Irish transport and logistics industries.

Now a premier event in the transport calendar, this year’s awards ceremony was held against the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, but as one prominent guest told us: “It’s a powerful reflection on the value and importance of these awards that we have another sold out event.”

Here at Export & Freight, we couldn’t agree more. All the leading players from the industry were there at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast to support the occasion, many coming from afar, including mainland Europe and beyond.

The morning’s proceedings were compered as usual by one of Northern Ireland’s top actresses and comediennes, the lovely Nuala McKeever, who certainly added to the glamour and great atmosphere of the event.

Once again the quality and quantity of the entries for all 16 categories were amazing, with many of our top operators and organisations vying for one of the coveted trophies, and although there was only one winner of each award, we have no hesitation in saying that everyone who entered deserves the highest commendation.
Certainly, our independent panel of expert judges had their work cut out, spending long and challenging hours reading and studying the entries before reaching their final conclusions, and to them we say a big Thank You.

Of course, the event couldn’t continue without the huge support of our sponsors. It is they who make it all possible through their invaluable contributions, financial and otherwise, and we look forward to their continuing support into the future.

If you weren’t among the winners this year, start planning for the 2009 event now!
In the meanwhile, over the following pages, we reflect in words and pictures on those who won what and why....

Award Winners & Sponsors:

Irish Shipping Agent/
Freight Forwarder of the Year
Sponsored by Stena Line
WINNER: BECK FREIGHT LTD

Irish Port of the Year
Sponsored by Norfolkline
WINNER: PORT OF BELFAST

Irish Sea Shipping Line of the Year
Sponsored by Dublin Port Company
WINNER: STENA Line FREIGHT

Safety Award
Sponsored by Michelin
WINNER: COUNTRYWIDE FREIGHT

Temperature Controlled Best Practice Award
Sponsored by Thermo King
WINNER: McCULLA IRELAND

Irish Technician of the Year
Sponsored by DAF Trucks
WINNER: SAM DAVIDSON, DENNISON COMMERCIALS

Irish Driver of the Year
Sponsored BY Scania
WINNER: JOSEPH ROONEY,
BEATTIES DISTRIBUTION SERVICES LTD

Irish Transport Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Sponsored by Volvo Trucks and Dennison Commercials
WINNER: MICHAEL TOHILL, PRM Group

Irish Van Fleet Operator of the Year
Sponsored by Ford
WINNERS: MOVIANTO

Irish Chilled Operator of the Year
Sponsored by Schmitz Cargobull
WINNER: HENDERSON WHOLESALE LTD

Top Fleet Livery Of The Year
Sponsored by Topaz Energy
WINNER: McBURNEY TRANSPORT

Irish Own Account Operator of the Year
Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz
WINNER: CAMDEN GROUP

Irish International Haulier of the Year
Sponsored by Iveco and NI Trucks
WINNERS: CARNA TRANSPORT LTD

Irish Haulier of the Year
Sponsored by Renault Trucks UK
WINNER: BLAIR INTERNATIONAL

Irish Logistics Operator of the Year
Sponsored by MAN Financial Services
WINNER: IFS GLOBAL LOGISTICS LTD

Transport Personality of the Year
Sponsored by P&O Irish Sea
WINNER: WILLIE OLIVER, OLIVER TRANSPORT