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Following the success of previous events, the 2023 Pump Industry Awards presentation evening was held on 16th March at the famous St George’s Park in Staffordshire – the Home of English Football.
Credited as being another huge success by all those in attendance, the event once again celebrated business and professional excellence right across the pump industry. In keeping with the chosen venue, football icon Kevin Keegan OBE provided the after-dinner entertainment before helping to conduct the main awards ceremony. The entire event reflected the resurgent enthusiasm for live ‘in-person’ events and provided a wonderful opportunity for pump people to once again unite and connect with friends, colleagues, and clients.
David Binge, Commercial Manager, World Pumps Magazine, summed up the feeling of all by saying: “Thank you for another great night celebrating the hard work and achievements of the pumps industry. The awards give us the perfect opportunity to catch up with industry friends and make new connections. As ever, it was a pleasure to sponsor and present the Rising Star Award, and we look forward to coming back next year.”
Long standing supporter, Colin Simpson, Business Development Director, Tomlinson Hall, commented: “It’s always a pleasure to be part of such a fantastic evening, and this year’s event will rank as one of my personal favourites. The atmosphere created by the venue was fantastic and to have Kevin Keegan as the guest speaker was inspired. Everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed the event, which was reflected by the networking that continued long after the formalities had been concluded.”
He continued: ”I would encourage anybody involved in the pump industry to consider this BPMA backed awards programme as an integral part of their marketing plans for the future.
That sentiment was further echoed by Bob Tichband, Chief Operating Officer, SPP Pumps, who said: “We are a proud member of the BPMA and appreciate the support it gives to UK pump manufacturers and associated companies. We were honoured to win the coveted “Manufacturer of the Year” award and our team enjoyed a fantastic night celebrating this success at the excellent awards dinner. We were also very pleased to sponsor the Environmental Contribution of the Year Award, of which AES Engineering were worthy winners.
Event Director, Andrew Castle, said after the event: “Selecting a new venue for an established event is always challenging, but the Hilton at St George’s Park served us extremely well, and allowed us to bring a number of other developments into play for the evening. Our thanks must again go to our Sponsors, who’s support and commitment enables us to stage such an event, and of course to all the Entrants, who’s high calibre submissions made for another demanding judging panel session.”
Recognising significant achievements which took place in the period up to December 2022, the eight category winners were revealed, as follows:
- Product of the Year Sponsored by Process Engineering
ARO – EVO Series Electric Diaphragm Pump
- Project of the Year Sponsored by Stuart Turner
Sulzer – Retrofit of five membrane feed pumps for a desalination plant
- Environmental Contribution of the Year Sponsored by SPP Pumps
AES Engineering
- Manufacturer of the Year Sponsored by WEG UK
SPP Pumps
- Distributor of the Year Sponsored by Stuart Turner
Seal & Pump Engineering
- Supplier of the Year Sponsored by Wilo
WEG
- Contribution to Skills & Training Sponsored by Crest Pumps
AESSEAL
- Rising Star Award Sponsored by World Pumps
Lewis Wilkes – Salamander Pumps
Special Recognition
After some 48 years spent in the pump industry, with a little under half of that time working for the sector’s trade body, Steve Schofield, CEO of the BPMA, will shortly be enjoying a well-earned retirement. As such, the BPMA Board and Council could not let the event pass without saying a public and heartfelt thank you to Steve, for all the hard work and dedication he has given to both the association and the members it serves. Steve was presented with a number of gifts which he can take with him and enjoy in his retirement.
Charitable Donation
WaterAid is the chosen charity for his event, and in keeping with previous events a game of ‘heads or tails’ was conducted with the lucky winner receiving a bottle of whiskey donated by BPMA, a £100 John Lewis Gift Voucher donated by WEG UK and a signed England Football Shirt donated by Kevin Keegan. A total of £1620.00 was raised on the night for WaterAid via the JustGiving page.
2024 Awards Programme
With advancing technology and innovation a constant entity across the sector, we are already seeking nominations and entries for the 2024 Pump Industry Awards. Maintaining our usual Spring timeline, the gala dinner and presentation ceremony will again take place in late March.
The online entry forms, which seek entries for activities and achievements that will have taken place throughout this year will be available on the website – www.pumpindustryawards.com – from Thursday 1st June, with the entry deadline set for Friday 5th January 2024. Please make a note of these important dates, and begin considering which key developments, activities, and successes you will be putting forward for industry recognition and reward. The awards are free to enter and are open to any company operating within the pump sector.
