In a celebration of pumping prowess, the BPMA staged its 18th Annual Pump Industry Awards Presentation Dinner at the tail end of March.
Held at the prestigious Heythrop Park Resort Hotel in the heart of Oxfordshire, this key industry event was attended by over 200 senior executives from across the pump manufacturing and distribution sector, along with their pump-using customers.
Hosted by Broadcaster and Journalist, Andrea Byrne, with a stunning musical performance by the vocal trio Skye, the evening proved once again to be a superb evening of reward and celebration for all those involved with this important sector of UK industry. The achievements and endeavours of some 34 Finalists were presented to the enthralled audience in an atmosphere of great anticipation, before the eventual winners were announced.
We have great pleasure in presenting those very worthy winners, as follows:-
Winner – Technical Innovation of the Year – Products
Sponsored by Process Industry Informer
Awarded to Wilo UK Ceram-Teflon Coatings
Winner – Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects
Sponsored by Wilo
Awarded to Xylem Water Solutions Foss Barrier Project
Winner – Environmental Contribution of the Year
Sponsored by SPP Pumps
Awarded to Danfoss Drives for its contribution to the Aarhus Water Project
Winner – Distributor of the Year
Sponsored by WEG UK
Awarded to Clyde Associated Engineers
Manufacturer of the Year
Sponsored by Siemens
Awarded to KSB
Supplier of the Year
Sponsored by Tomlinson Hall & Co
Awarded to ABB
Engineer of the Year
Sponsored by World Pumps
Awarded to Luke Gardener, Grundfos Pumps
This year, the Judging Panel decided to present an additional award for what it saw as an excellent example of how the correct selection of pumps and their associated systems can have a tremendous impact in improving energy efficiency across any given plant or project.
Judges Special Award
Sponsored by Flowserve SIHI
Awarded to Danfoss Drives for the holistic approach to energy saving across the Aarhus Water Project
The final award of the evening is always given to someone, who on the opinion of the BMPA is deserving of recognition for their ongoing efforts and commitment towards the progression of the pump sector. It was this year presented to a very notable recipient.
Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by the BPMA
Awarded to Chris Rea OBE, AESSEAL
Speaking after the event Chris summed up his pride in receiving this accolade by saying, “My wife and I were having a thoroughly enjoyable evening as guests of the BPMA at the 2018 Pump Industry Awards, which transformed into truly a memorable occasion when I was announced as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Both personally and professionally I have enjoyed the association with the British Pump Manufacturers’ Association for over 30 years. It is a great industry to be in and it is our fantastic customers, many of whom are part of the BPMA, that have fuelled the growth and development of the AESSEAL Group of Companies.
Most of us think recognition from our peers is really special so the Lifetime Achievement Award is already on the wall and will provide me many future fond memories of a great evening”.
Another happy attendee was long-time supporter, Colin Simpson, Business Development Director at Thomlinson Hall & Co who commented, “As both award sponsor of ‘Supplier of the Year’, and also nominated finalist in the ‘Distributor of the Year’, we thought the event this year was excellent.
Our guests for the evening commented on the “positive vibe in the room”, which we also felt. The number of new participants this year was noticeable and added a different dimension to the evening. Networking pre and post event was fantastic with a friendly feel of co-operation in abundance. Well done to all those involved”.
BPMA Director, Steve Schofield, said of the evening, “This year’s awards dinner was another triumph for both the BPMA and the industry it serves. I have received nothing but praise from sponsors, winners and finalists alike for a great evening of fun, celebration and networking. Our chosen Charity for this event, WaterAid, also enjoyed considerable success, with a record £6,000.00 being raised through the Raffle. This is a fantastic amount of money, which will go a long way in helping WaterAid carry out its fine work in some of the poorest countries around the world. Thank you to all those companies who donated prizes and of course to our guests who were so generous on the night”.
Full details on all the winners and finalists, along with images of the awards presentation ceremony can be found on the dedicated PI awards website – www.pumpindustryawards.com.
Entries for the 2019 awards programme will open in September, so if you know of a pump product, project, company, or individual that you believe is worthy of wider recognition, please do let us know.
