Latest:
Skyjack hijacks SED '97
00:00 28 May 1997
|
The SED '97 Supreme Gold Medal was won this year by Russon Access
for its Skyjack TK66 articulated knuckle boom.
The Silver Medals were taken by Holmbury Ltd., for its APM series hydraulic coupling valves; Atlas Copco, for its Series 6 portable compressor range; and Manchester Cabins, for its Bunkabin site accommodation units.
All in all a pretty eclectic bunch - but that is the essence of the Medal Awards at SED. It is the reason why they are valued so highly and the reason why entries keep rolling in before the show.
This year's judging team consisted of four industry experts, each one having detailed knowledge of a particular field but also knowledge of the wider industry. They were Bernard Lowery, md of AMEC Services, Eugene Lee, a director of Independent Access Supplies, Chris Barlow, marketing manager of The Dredging and Construction Company (and ex-editor of Construction Plant & Equipment) and Martin Knott, northern regional director of HSS. A pretty eclectic bunch too.
presentation
Each entrant judged 'in the metal' on the first day of the show gets just 10 minutes to present his/her case. No ifs buts or maybes - 10 minutes is it! So it has to be a well-rehearsed presentation - those USPs (Unique Selling Points)have to hit home with the judges. Just as importantly each judge dares not let his attention waver. Somebody's Medal may depend upon it.
There were 21 different products judged at this year's event and they ranged from fuel additives to directional drilling machines, from just a few pennies to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Which makes it hard for the judges but enables entrants to come from just about any discipline. So long as the product is used (and useful) in our industry.
Alan Russon, of Russon Access, is well-known as an achiever in the access business and a mighty cheer went up when his sales manager received the Supreme Gold Medal at the annual Lighthouse Club (London Branch) Dinner on Wednesday evening.
Knuckle boom
The Award was won by the Skyjack TK66 articulating knuckle boom from the USA. The judges were unanimous in their praise of its "innovative concept", its "terrific maintenance access", its "positive safety features" and its "good old value for money." High praise indeed and a well-deserved Gold Medal winner.
A Silver Medal went to Holmbury Ltd., for its unique (and uniquely useful) APM hydraulic coupler. The enthusiastic Holmbury md David French presented his own company's new product with typical verve and professed himself "delighted and surprised" upon receiving a Silver medal. It was actually Holmbury's third such Award at an SED which is believed unique for a component manufacturer. The APM coupler allows operators to change implements even when there is high pressure hydraulic oil flowing through the system. And it does it easily without drama and with no loss of fluid.
Atlas Copco makes air compressors of just about every type but it makes more portables "than anyone else in the world", according to its marketing message. And the Series 6 is a portable range which means it is pitched right at the mainstream market of our industry.
The judges listened to the story and then deliberated. Eventually the Series Six was adjudged a winner for its "innovative design", its "cost-saving maintenance features" and its "stylish yet practical canopy." Atlas Copco reports that it has already delivered more than 1,000 units in the first eight months of its life.
Bunkabin
Which brings us to a truly unique concept - the Bunkabin. The name tells you what it does but it does not convey the stunning simplicity of the thing. It is a normal-looking 2.8m square site unit from the outside but inside it's a small hotel for two operatives. There is a pair of roomy beds, a proper shower, mortice locks on the door, metal-reinforced windows and lots of storage space as well as a desk and chair. The whole thing is lined in Plastisol steel so it can be steam-cleaned at the end of a contract.
Frank Rothwell, md of Manchester Cabins dreamed up the idea, refined it in a brainstorming session with his team and launched it just few short months ago. He explains "Since then it's been bedlam, we cannot build them fast enough."
The judges were unanimous again "its simplicity is breathtaking", it is a "site manager's dream come true" and " how quick can you quote for delivery" (judges have real-world jobs too!) were just some of their comments. Frank Rothwell just smiled all that day - and most of Wednesday night too as he received his Silver Award at the Lighthouse Club dinner. I know because I sat next to him.
So that is it, the SED Silver and Gold Awards for 1997. Well done to the winners commiserations to those entrants who weren't successful. A big "THANK YOU" to our hard-worked judges who are now "excused duty" at least for a few years. And a plea to all of you out there - keep those entries coming in, we could not do it without you and there are four winners every year. The next one could be your product.
The Silver Medals were taken by Holmbury Ltd., for its APM series hydraulic coupling valves; Atlas Copco, for its Series 6 portable compressor range; and Manchester Cabins, for its Bunkabin site accommodation units.
All in all a pretty eclectic bunch - but that is the essence of the Medal Awards at SED. It is the reason why they are valued so highly and the reason why entries keep rolling in before the show.
This year's judging team consisted of four industry experts, each one having detailed knowledge of a particular field but also knowledge of the wider industry. They were Bernard Lowery, md of AMEC Services, Eugene Lee, a director of Independent Access Supplies, Chris Barlow, marketing manager of The Dredging and Construction Company (and ex-editor of Construction Plant & Equipment) and Martin Knott, northern regional director of HSS. A pretty eclectic bunch too.
ADVERTISEMENT
presentation
Each entrant judged 'in the metal' on the first day of the show gets just 10 minutes to present his/her case. No ifs buts or maybes - 10 minutes is it! So it has to be a well-rehearsed presentation - those USPs (Unique Selling Points)have to hit home with the judges. Just as importantly each judge dares not let his attention waver. Somebody's Medal may depend upon it.
There were 21 different products judged at this year's event and they ranged from fuel additives to directional drilling machines, from just a few pennies to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Which makes it hard for the judges but enables entrants to come from just about any discipline. So long as the product is used (and useful) in our industry.
Alan Russon, of Russon Access, is well-known as an achiever in the access business and a mighty cheer went up when his sales manager received the Supreme Gold Medal at the annual Lighthouse Club (London Branch) Dinner on Wednesday evening.
Knuckle boom
The Award was won by the Skyjack TK66 articulating knuckle boom from the USA. The judges were unanimous in their praise of its "innovative concept", its "terrific maintenance access", its "positive safety features" and its "good old value for money." High praise indeed and a well-deserved Gold Medal winner.
A Silver Medal went to Holmbury Ltd., for its unique (and uniquely useful) APM hydraulic coupler. The enthusiastic Holmbury md David French presented his own company's new product with typical verve and professed himself "delighted and surprised" upon receiving a Silver medal. It was actually Holmbury's third such Award at an SED which is believed unique for a component manufacturer. The APM coupler allows operators to change implements even when there is high pressure hydraulic oil flowing through the system. And it does it easily without drama and with no loss of fluid.
Atlas Copco makes air compressors of just about every type but it makes more portables "than anyone else in the world", according to its marketing message. And the Series 6 is a portable range which means it is pitched right at the mainstream market of our industry.
The judges listened to the story and then deliberated. Eventually the Series Six was adjudged a winner for its "innovative design", its "cost-saving maintenance features" and its "stylish yet practical canopy." Atlas Copco reports that it has already delivered more than 1,000 units in the first eight months of its life.
Bunkabin
Which brings us to a truly unique concept - the Bunkabin. The name tells you what it does but it does not convey the stunning simplicity of the thing. It is a normal-looking 2.8m square site unit from the outside but inside it's a small hotel for two operatives. There is a pair of roomy beds, a proper shower, mortice locks on the door, metal-reinforced windows and lots of storage space as well as a desk and chair. The whole thing is lined in Plastisol steel so it can be steam-cleaned at the end of a contract.
Frank Rothwell, md of Manchester Cabins dreamed up the idea, refined it in a brainstorming session with his team and launched it just few short months ago. He explains "Since then it's been bedlam, we cannot build them fast enough."
The judges were unanimous again "its simplicity is breathtaking", it is a "site manager's dream come true" and " how quick can you quote for delivery" (judges have real-world jobs too!) were just some of their comments. Frank Rothwell just smiled all that day - and most of Wednesday night too as he received his Silver Award at the Lighthouse Club dinner. I know because I sat next to him.
So that is it, the SED Silver and Gold Awards for 1997. Well done to the winners commiserations to those entrants who weren't successful. A big "THANK YOU" to our hard-worked judges who are now "excused duty" at least for a few years. And a plea to all of you out there - keep those entries coming in, we could not do it without you and there are four winners every year. The next one could be your product.
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Viewed Articles
ADVERTISEMENT