Climate, skills and environment top another successful PIA Awards

A record number of entries was received for the eight categories up for grabs for the event hosted by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) at St George’s Park in Staffordshire.

Bedford Pumps, a longstanding participant, won Project of the Year for its Indonesian Flood Mitigation Project, while the Contribution to Skills and Training Award went to the John Crane Discover Graduate Engineers Program. Meanwhile, Ben Warren of SPP Pumps scooped the prestigious early career trophy, the Rising Star Award.

BPMA Director  and CEO Wayne Rose commented: “It was another great night celebrating the hard work and achievements of the pump industry. I was again impressed by the quality of entries, and I am so pleased to have this fantastic annual showcase as part of the BPMA’s support package for the pump sector.”

SPP Pumps enjoyed the most successful night with not only the Rising Star Award for Warren but also repeating its previous Distributor of the Year win.

Chief operating officer Bob Tichband remarked: “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 collect the coveted Manufacturer of the Year trophy for the second year in succession, as well as the Rising Star accolade for one of our brightest talents, Ben Warren.”

He went on to praise Bedford Pumps for their Environmental Contribution of the Year trophy, which was sponsored by SPP.

Dale Croker, MD of KSB in the UK, and President of the BPMA opened the event with an acknowledgement for the winners’ professional endeavour, product innovation, skills development, engineering prowess and service delivery before a review of the work carried out by the association.

Speaking after the evening, event director Andrew Castle cited the support of industry sponsors as well as the high calibre submissions. Guest speaker was England and British & Irish Lions rugby legend Martin Bayfield and this year’s charitable donation recipient was WaterAid which received a collection total of £1461.

The full list of PIA winners and category sponsors is:

• Product of the Year Sponsored by DFA Media Group

       CREST PUMPS - Assoma AVF-C Pump 

• Project of the Year Sponsored by AESSEAL

       KSB and Cornish Metals - South Crofty Tin Mine

• Environmental Contribution of the Year Sponsored by SPP Pumps

       BEDFORD PUMPS - Indonesia Flood Mitigation Project

• Manufacturer of the Year Sponsored by WEG UK

       SPP Pumps

• Distributor of the Year Sponsored by Caprari & Calpeda

      Anglo Pumps

• Supplier of the Year Sponsored by Wilo

            EMiR Software

• Contribution to Skills & Training Sponsored by Crest Pumps

      JOHN CRANE - DISCOVER Graduate Engineers Program

• Rising Star Award Sponsored by World Pumps

      Ben Warren - SPP PUMPS