UK freight forwarders take the plaudits

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has revealed the winners of its Freight Service Awards competition 2015.

The winners of the ten General, Modal and Specialist categories in the Awards, which has established a benchmark of quality for the British freight forwarding industry for more than a quarter of a century, are: Greenshields Cowie & Co; Dynamic International Freight Services; 512 (Sheffield); The Woodland Group; Unsworth Global Logistics; Transglobal Freight Management; PSL Freight; Panalpina World Transport; Kuehne + Nagel; and, Moto Freight.

In the Individual category, the winner of the Young Freight Forwarder Award was Liam Byrne, part owner of ACC Freight Management.

As freight generates revenue for BIFA members when it is on the move, it was appropriate that this year's Awards luncheon was hosted by Sally Boazman, otherwise known as 'Sally Traffic', the BBC Radio 2 travel reporter. Her travel reports have helped keep UK freight forwarders on the move on Britain's roads since 1988.

BIFA President Sir Peter Bottomley MP again welcomed guests to the 27th BIFA Freight Services Awards luncheon ceremony and, along with Sally Boazman, presented all the finalists with their certificates.

Robert Keen, BIFA Director General, says: "I know that every year BIFA members look forward to attending the Awards luncheon as I do. It has always been a great way to start a New Year in business.

"The luncheon represents more than just fine dining in a splendid location. It is also about conviviality and networking, cementing existing relationships between Members and guests, and making new ones. I congratulate every company and individual who took the time and trouble to enter our Freight Service Awards competition 2015. I continue to believe that the very act of entering allows Members to improve their business systems and learn a great deal about themselves.

"It is sometimes hard to realise that we have been hosting this Awards for more than a quarter of a century. Much has changed in the technological and business environments for the freight industry, both here and abroad during the life of these awards. But two things have remained the same. The venue of the Brewery – one of the best in London – and the need for the personal touch in business. We again celebrate these enduring qualities of the latter in this Awards luncheon."

The finalists and winners in the 11 Awards categories were as follows:

General categories

The Project Forwarding Award - sponsored by Peter Lole Insurance Brokers

Winner – Greenshields Cowie & Co – The company demonstrated its whole company coming together to provide logistics services for a significant humanitarian aid project. The team handled the continuing high pressure extremely well, and responded quickly to the requirement to deliver frequent charters under a closed borders situation.

Finalists – CEVA Freight (UK); Expeditors International (UK); Worldwide Energy Logistics

The Specialist Services Award – sponsored by Forward Computers

Winner – Dynamic International Freight Services - The judging panel considered the company put forward an excellent presentation detailing the development of its specialised carnet service which it offered in tandem with the movement of goods. This has proved particularly attractive in the film and television industry, as well as to participants in overseas events where time is of the essence.

Finalists – Customs Clearance; Priority Freight; World Transport Agency

The Staff Development Award – sponsored by Albacore Systems

Winner – 512 (Sheffield) – The judges felt that 512 showed commitment to staff development with the implementation of a significant graduate and management training scheme. The scheme encouraged staff to meet customers on a face-to-face basis, leading to staff growth and fulfilment, as well as bringing new blood and fresh ideas into the forwarding industry.

Finalists – Espace Europe; Uniserve Group; Unsworth Global Logistics

The Supply Chain Management Award - sponsored by BoxTop Technologies

Winner – The Woodland Group – The judges were impressed with the company's innovative approach of simplifying the supply chain within the sports industry. Having identified a clear gap in the market, Woodland Sports Logistics offers its customers a one-stop-shop, from sourcing ethically-produced products to managing the shipping, storage, and fulfilment process.

Finalists – Ligentia UK; MIQ Logistics; Uniserve Group

The Sustainable Logistics Award – sponsored by Red Recruit

Winner – Unsworth Global Logistics – This company was chosen as the winner for its dedication and flexible approach to developing 'greener' solutions for its customers. By identifying and implementing an ingenious car racking system it has created an innovative shipping method which improves efficiencies, with greater cost-savings, whilst saving the environment through a reduction in carbon footprint.

Finalists – Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics; Estuary Waste Management; Priority Freight

Individual category

The Young Freight Forwarder Award - sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo

Winner – Liam Byrne of ACC Freight Management – In four short years he has firmly established himself in the international freight industry, particularly in European road transport. Responsible for both sales and operations, Liam has sought to ensure continuous improvement in both his own, and his teams', service delivery. Liam now prides himself as part-owner of ACC Freight Management.

Finalists – Daria Banks of Banks & Lloyd (Shipping); Nicolas Barrois of World Transport Agency; James Mears of Ital Logistics

Modal categories

The Air Cargo Services Award – sponsored by IAG Cargo

Winner – Transglobal Freight Management - The judges considered the company's commitment to increase efficiencies and services through technology by embracing the XML format in the production of electronic documents to be worthy of an award. The investment both in time and staffing is offering tangible service benefits to its customers, and has put the company at the vanguard.

Finalists – 512 (Sheffield); Brunel Air Cargo; Greenshields Cowie & Co

The European Logistics Award – sponsored by TT Club

Winner - PSL Freight – The company invested in both its staff, and in quality systems to deliver a new rapid response offering. As well as providing an improved service, with much faster turnaround times for existing customers, it has also generated new routes and new customers.

Fnalists – ACC Freight Management; Eurogate Logistics; Ital Logistics

The Ocean Services Award – sponsored by Cargoguide International

Winner - Panalpina World Transport – The judges considered that the company demonstrated a successful five year strategy for expansion of its ocean services division in specific industry vertical sectors. Through a successful implementation of its plan, this mode of transport has grown to a level where it has become a vital component of its total solutions offering.

Finalists – 512 (Sheffield); Brunel Shipping; Ideal International

Specialist categories

The Cool Award – sponsored by American Airlines Cargo

Winner - Kuehne + Nagel – Through its K.N.PharmaChain programme, Kuehne + Nagel has shown a commitment to the cool chain that adds true value not only to its customers, but also to the whole supply chain. Its use of cutting edge technologies to provide wireless temperature monitoring for pharmaceutical shipments has provided greater reliability, reduced delays, less wastage, and real cost savings.

Finalists: IJS Global (UK); James Cargo Services; Panalpina World Transport

The Extra Mile Award – sponsored by Descartes

Winner – Moto Freight – Its approach to customers demonstrated an ethos throughout the company to go that extra mile, right down to the individual level. By providing an extremely personalised service 24/7, whether locally or overseas, especially as a small company, shows a real commitment to customer care.

Finalists: DSV Road; Ital Logistics; PSL Freight