Irish Logistics & Transport Awards celebrated ninth year

On April 12^th, The Irish Logistics & Transport Awards celebrated its ninth year as a long-standing benchmark for those demonstrating excellence in the industry. For example, when we examine just one subsection of the sector, 52 per cent of Irish retail companies' turnover is now coming from ecommerce, meaning the demands on logistics and transport businesses are larger than ever. We can also see this in the recent Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) report, highlighting a 6 per cent increase in freight traffic at Irish ports in 2017.

19 awards were handed out on the night to teams and individuals who are leading lights within the industry. Among the winners were Eurobase, JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Kuehne + Nagel and DHL. BWG took home two awards, namely the Overall Logistics & Transport Excellence Award and the Logistics Company of the Year. Speaking after the win, Joanne Mellon, logistics director for BWG Foods said:

“We in BWG are delighted to have received these awards on the back of the busiest year yet for our National Distribution Centre. Our extended team have been working tirelessly towards this level of excellence, and this recognition proves that we have created a logistics network that is up there with the best in the world.”

DHL were awarded the prize for Transport and Logistics Team of the Year, and Dermot Walsh, head of operational excellence at DHL Global Forwarding Ltd, was proud of the win:

“We are delighted to have been voted transport and logistics team of the year. This complex project utilised the vast resources DHL Ireland possess and highlights the adaptability and unity our teams hold. Winning this award welcomes the opportunity to showcase our capability in front of industry peers and gives us more incentive to continue to work hard as a team. We strive to be a market leader and the ILTA is the perfect industry KPI to ensure we stay on track. Thanks again for a wonderful event and we look forward to meeting again in 2019.”

On an individual level, John Tuohy, co-founder of Nightline, was one of those honoured. After winning the Irish Logistics and Transport Award Leader of the Year, he said, "It was a great honour and privilege to accept the Logistics and Transport Leader Award this year. I'm so proud of what Dave Field and I achieved with Nightline / Parcel Motel Group over 25 years prior to it being acquired by UPS in 2017. My sincere thanks to CILT and our industry colleagues and peers."

CBRE returned as a sponsor of the awards for a third year, with executive director, Garrett McClean saying, "CBRE are delighted to sponsor the Irish Logistics and Transport Awards for the third successive year, as we believe in recognising and rewarding excellence in what is becoming an increasingly important sector of the economy and property market."

Peter Levins is head of sales and marketing at Rohan Holdings, another sponsor on the night. He felt the awards were a great opportunity to network with those in the industry. "Rohan's support of the ITLA Awards provides us with an opportunity to thank an industry sector that is core to the growth of our own business. It also helps us to engage with decision makers in many leading domestic and global companies."