Awards background - web

DPD was again the big winner in the 2020 Motor Transport Awards, coming out on top in five of the seven categories in which it was shortlisted, taking its tally of trophies to 34 and overtaking TNT.

Covid-19 forced the cancellation of the live show for the first time in 34 years, and in an online awards presentation broadcast last night (October 7) DPD was revealed as the winner of the Customer Care, Home Delivery, Urban Delivery, Clean Fleet Van Operator and Best Use of Technology awards.

DPD CEO Dwain McDonald said: "This is a fantastic result. These five awards represent everything we stand for. They epitomise our commitment to having the best technology, the best customer experience and the smartest and most sustainable operation in the industry.

"This is recognition for the whole team and every aspect of what they do, so I couldn't be prouder of our people. They make all of this work in head office, the depots and hubs and out on the road, and we will celebrate these awards together.”

Bibby Distribution won two awards, Safety in Operation and Technical Excellence, while Haulier of the Year went to Bradford-based Expect Distribution. Although narrowly missing out on the Haulier award, Fowler Welch did take the Training Award.

Expect MD Neil Rushworth said: “It’s the people that make Expect the company that it is today. I’m proud of each and every individual for the passion and professional nature with which they do their work. When I ask our customers what it is that they value most from Expect they often say that it’s the personal approach from the Expect team that helps them feel valued. I’m delighted to see their hard work come to fruition with this award.”

The John Lewis Partnership took the Low Carbon Award for its use of biogas while KNP Logistics was awarded Livery of the Year. Abbey Logistics took the Team of the Year title for its work with British Sugar, Wincanton picked up the Operational Excellence award for its Screwfix contract and Think Logistics and Career Ready were the winners of the Partnership Award.

Fleet Truck was won by the DAF XF, the 18th time the manufacturer has picked up this trophy, while the Clean Fleet Van title went to the Maxus EV80 and electric vehicle convertor Electra Commercial Vehicles picked up the Innovation Award.

Wren Kitchens followed up its first success in the MT Awards last year with the 2020 Business Excellence Award, while XPO Logistics took its first trophy with the 2020 Apprenticeship of the Year award.

The Service to Industry Award went to Thomas van Mourik, CEO of Culina Logistics, which last year collected the Haulier of the Year trophy.

The 2020 intake to the Motor Transport Hall of Fame was also announced during the awards presentation. They are: Peter Acton, chairman, Logistics Leaders Network and former editor, Motor Transport; John Harvey CBE, chairman, Keswick Enterprises and former chairman, Tibbett & Britten; and Tony Pain, business consultant and former marketing director, DAF Trucks.

The online awards presentation is still available to watch and for full details of the winners see Motor Transport’s November 23 issue.