Warehousing “leading the way” in logistics

Speaking at the UKWA Annual Lunch and Awards at the Royal Lancaster London this week (June 27) Baroness Scott of Bybrook, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities, said warehousing is “leading the way within the wider logistics sector, with sustained growth, innovation and a diverse, inclusive workforce.”

The Baroness acknowledged the key issues facing the sector, touching on the need for reformed planning systems to allow for commercial development to support communities, and better electrical connections and networks, facilitating the generation of solar energy to save costs and enable sustainability for the future.

She referenced UKWA’s letter to Ofgem pointing out that outdated processes were holding back growth for an industry increasingly dependent on automation and robotics, and she noted that UKWA CEO Clare Bottle has been invited to join a governmental subgroup on solar power.

“It’s important for the government to hear – and listen to – this sector’s voice”, the Baroness continued. “40% of all young people in the logistics industry are employed in warehousing. There’s more than bricks and mortar at stake, it’s about investment in the sector that drives the economy and ensures that UK is provided with the goods it needs.”

After lunch journalist and broadcaster Ayesha Hazarika compered the presentation of the UKWA Awards for Excellence 2023, presenting winners in eleven categories with their trophies.

The winners (pictured above) were:

• Best new member, sponsored by Unipart Logistics - Communisis
• Digital innovation project (systems), sponsored by CPA - SEC Storage
• Technical innovation project (hardware), sponsored by Dexory - German Bionic
• Excellence in infrastructure, sponsored by Glamox Luxonic - Miniclipper Logistics
• Excellence in sustainability, sponsored by Zestec - Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK
• Excellence in customer service, sponsored by IMHX - ILG
• Excellence in value added services, sponsored by Nulogy - Omni Channel Fulfilment
• Logistics service provider of the year, sponsored by ASG Energy - Howard Tenens Logistics
• Young employee of the year, sponsored by SmartFreight – Joint winners: Dhinay Chohan, SEC Storage & Kathryn Sansbury, Unipart Logistics
• Warehouse manager of the year, sponsored by Aisle Master - Mike Ward, Wincanton
• Chairman’s award, sponsored by DP World – Jayne & Peter Masters, Miniclipper

Commenting on the day, UKWA CEO Clare Bottle said: “We had the most wonderful time at the Royal Lancaster London. It was fantastic to hear Baroness Bybrook pay tribute to our sector, our guests loved Ayesha and cheered our brilliant winners to the rooftops – my grateful thanks to our generous sponsors, to all who helped us raise over £2,400 for Transaid, and most importantly, big congratulations to those who represent the best of our industry and were recognised with an Award this year. It was certainly a day to celebrate the sector!”