2009 proved to be something of a vintage year for the electrical industry and despite a difficult trading environment the highest standards of product, service and innovation shone through at this year’s SELECT Electrotechnical Awards.
SELECT is Scotland’s trade association for the industry and its awards, held in conjunction with trade magazine CABLEtalk, now act as a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
Hosted at Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel, 350 guests filled the ballroom to hear the industry’s best firms lauded for their efforts and rewarded for their successes.
The event was hosted by David Wright, head of external affairs at SELECT with sponsors and partners for the evening including: Yell.com, Electricfix, Schneider Electric, Voltimum, Megger, SummitSkills, Electrical Safety Council and Thistle Generators.
Entertainment on the evening came from a pre dinner cooking demonstration from Nick Nairn, one of Scotland’s most celebrated chefs, which got the juices flowing for the fabulous fare that was then served up.
After dinner came the awards presentation ceremony before a festival of music from the Cairnside Ceilidh Band and the James McParland Band helped revellers dance the night away.
Newell McGuiness, managing director at SELECT said: “Our awards are all about recognising what is best in our industry and that includes enjoying the company of old friends, colleagues and associates. We have also seen a wonderful feast of commercial achievement this year and it is very exciting to see the industry make further progress even in a recession.”
In full the award nominees and ultimate winners were:
SJIB/Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award
Short-list:
- Marc Higgins from McDonald & Munro Ltd of Elgin
- John Miller from G & A Barnie Building Services Ltd based in Wick
- Dean Stevens from N D Barrett Electrical Contractor in Edinburgh
Winner:
- Marc Higgins
Wholesaler of the Year Award, sponsored by Megger
Short-list:
- Barwell
- Edmundson Electrical
- Trilight
- Universal
Winner:
- Barwell
Award for Best New Product, sponsored by CABLEtalk Magazine
Short-list:
- Aico’s Ei411H Remote Locate, Test and Hush Switch
- Marshall-Tufflex’ Bio Trunking Solutions
- The Metrel Multifunctional Tester
- Schneider Electric’s Compact NSX Circuit Breaker
Winner
- Schneider Electric
Award for Training sponsored by SummitSkills
Short-list:
- Brookfield Group Ltd
- C Dobbie Electrical
- Crown House Technologies
- Arthur McKay & Co (Electrical Contractors) Ltd
Winner:
- Arthur McKay & Co (Electrical Contractors) Ltd
Award for Electrical Safety, sponsored by The Electrical Safety Council
Short-list:
- RAS Crockett & Partners Ltd
- Fife Council
Winner:
- Fife Council
Award for Customer Service, sponsored by Thistle Generators
Short-list:
- N D Barrett Ltd
- McKissock Electrical
- Arthur McKay & Co (Electrical Contractors) Ltd
Winner:
- N D Barrett Ltd
Award for Marketing, sponsored by Voltimum
Short-list:
- McKissock Electrical
- Northern Light
- Thistle Generators Ltd
Winner:
- Northern Light
Small Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by yell.com
Short-list:
- RAS Crockett & Partners Ltd
- McKissock Electrical
- John Mutch Building Services
- Sleigh Electrical Ltd
Winner:
- John Mutch Building Services
Electrical Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by Electricfix
Short-list:
- All of the individual category winners
Winner:
- Northern Light
Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Schneider Electrical
Winner:
- Sir James Morrison-Low
For more information please contact David Wright, Head of External Affairs at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, tel. 0131 445 5577.