Freight stars recognised by the UK international forwarders' association

The UK’s most prestigious logistics and supply chain industry awards were given to the best of the British freight forwarding sector at a milestone awards ceremony – the 21st – hosted by author and broadcaster Mrs Frances Edmonds

Finalists, sponsors and industry figures attended the glittering ceremony, held in London on 21st January, to celebrate the 21st Annual Lunch and Awards Ceremony of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), which represents UK companies engaged in the international movement of freight by all modes of transport.

The BIFA Freight Service Awards 2009 Winners are as follows:

• Air Freight Award, sponsored by British Airways World Cargo: Activair UK
• European Logistics Award, sponsored by TT Club: Gefco UK
  Ocean Freight Award, sponsored by CargoWise: Eagle Cargo Services
• Project Forwarding Award, sponsored by BBC Chartering: Panalpina World Transport
• Special Services Award, sponsored by Forward Computers: Woodland International Transport Co
• Staff Development Award, sponsored by Albacore Systems: Gist
  Supply Chain Management Award, sponsored by BoxTop Technologies: Allport
• Young Freight Forwarder Award, sponsored by Johnson Stevens Agencies: Samantha Mitchell from World Transport Agency

Peter Quantrill, BIFA Director General, said: “In days past, you got the key to the door at 21 to show you were now mature.  It is now that moment for the BIFA Awards.  The 21st anniversary of the competition came in one of the most difficult business environments many of us can remember, yet this did not put off our members from taking part in the competition.

“This year, 30 finalists vied for the eight category trophies and the standard of all entrants’ submissions was extremely high. The achievements of the winners included the conversion of prime cargo from sea freight to air freight, provision of niche logistics services to the motorcycle industry, developing services to the publishing industry, as well as training and IT enhancements.

“I would like to extend particular congratulations to Samantha Mitchell at World Transport Agency for winning the Young Freight Forwarder Award.  At just 24, Samantha’s proud claim is to be the youngest manager ever at World Transport Agency.  She has developed from an export clerk to a multi-modal freight forwarder, delivering excellent customer service and exceeding targets.

“She impressed the judges with her all-round knowledge of freight forwarding and determination to succeed.  She has actively sought additional responsibility throughout her career and recognises opportunities to impress her employers and customers.  I wish her the best in her future career.”

Summing up another successful Awards competition and ceremony, Peter Quantrill added: “The judging process for this year’s awards gave us a clear demonstration of something I have said previously, that the forwarding industry has always shown great resilience throughout varying economic cycles, always showing itself adept at matching both its shape and service offerings to the changing needs of its customers.  Those characteristics came out loud and clear in all the entries and will stand us all in good stead for 2010.”

For further information, visit: http://www.bifa.org/

Published: 12/02/2010