First Time Entrants Make Their Mark

London, United Kingdom, October 27, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The expression that ‘you have to be in it to win it’ is clearly demonstrated by this year’s Freight Service Awards organised by the British International Freight Association (BIFA) –as six first-time entrants make the finalist shortlist.

As ever, there was a high level of quality entries for judges to select from with keen competition from forwarding companies that had put themselves forward to be judged by the panel of industry experts.

Six first-time entrants have made it to the shortlist of 34 finalists comprising 27 different (BIFA Member) companies. The six first-time entrant finalists are: MacAndrews & Company, in two categories; Allseas Global Logistics; Global Logistics Management; Kamino International Transport; SBS Worldwide; and The Spatial Group.

This year also sees the return of the Environment award as a sign that BIFA continues to acknowledge and support its members’ drive to green the supply chain.

Robert Keen, Executive Director of BIFA, said: “As ever, these entrants show the strong interest in the Awards that have come to represent the best of British forwarding. I am especially pleased to see the return of the Environmental Award that can only add to the Awards’ position as the most widely respected and sought-after quality mark in the UK forwarding industry.

"I fully appreciate that entering the Awards takes time and effort. This is why I can only applaud the effort put into the entries that were, as ever, always of the highest quality. Whilst I congratulate all those that have made the finalists shortlist, I encourage those that have not succeeded to try again next year.

“Even if you didn’t enter, I would invite all BIFA Members to come along to the Awards Luncheon in January. This is more than just a lunch – I always consider it is a chance to put aside competitive pressures and meet with other forwarders to network, make friends and catch up with BIFA and its officers.”

The companies that have reached the final shortlist in the nine award categories are as follows:

Air Freight Award, sponsored by British Airways World Cargo:
Allport; OHL (UK); Uniserve (Airfreight); Woodland Group

Environment Award, sponsored by Maersk Line:
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics; MacAndrews & Company; Uniserve Group

European Logistics Award, sponsored by TT Club:
Aramex; GEFCO UK; MacAndrews & Company; Simarco International

Ocean Freight Award, sponsored by CargoWise:
Ideal Forwarding; Pantos Logistics UK; SBS Worldwide

Project Forwarding Award, sponsor to be confirmed:
Allseas Global Logistics; Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics; F.H. Bertling; Global Logistics Management

Special Services Award, sponsored by Forward Computers:
Bellville Rodair International; Kamino International Transport; RIF Worldwide; The Spatial Group

Staff Development Award, sponsored by Albacore Systems:
Aramex; Damco; GKN Freight Services; SDV

Supply Chain Management Award, sponsored by BoxTop Technologies:
Allport; CEVA Logistics; Damco UK; GKN Freight Services

Young Freight Forwarder Award, sponsored by Johnson Stevens Agencies:
Kristina Ahrens – Peters & May; Simon Beechener – Simpex Freight Management; Prad Bhowmick – Geodis Wilson UK; Carl Newton of CEVA Logistics

This year there is a taste of the beautiful game at the BIFA Awards as they will be hosted by former football referee, TV pundit and newspaper columnist, Graham Poll, one of the best known and most experienced English referees of all time.

The award winners will be announced at the BIFA Annual Lunch and Awards Ceremony to be held at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1 on Thursday 20th January 2011.

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