Motion Control Industry Awards success

28 April, 2016

Supported by some of the biggest names in the motion control arena, and with some 250 people in attendance, the event was heralded a great success by all those involved.

The evening commenced with a Drinks Reception, sponsored by Bosch Rexroth, with guests being invited through to a four-course meal dinner at 8.00pm.

The event was formally opened with a Welcome Address given by both Andy Jones, president of British Compressed Air Society (BCAS), and Chris Buxton, director and CEO of the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA), incorporating the British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA). They took the opportunity to offer some background on the formation of the UK Motion Control Alliance, and pointed out that the awards programme was one of the first initiatives to evolve from the formation of the UK MCA.

Event host, comedian and writer Simon Evans, took to the stage directly after dinner for a bout of entertainment before launching into the main awards ceremony. This was followed by some further networking in the bar, where guests enjoyed a fun casino into the small hours.

Supporters and sponsors

The sponsors of this inaugural event were:

1. Motion Control Alliance.

2. BFPA/BFPDA/BCAS

3. Beko Technologies.

4. GAMBICA.

5. ABB.

6. Beaumanor Engineering.

7. Bosch Rexroth.

8. Parker Hannifin.

9. Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine.

10. MTA/MACH.

Award categories – sponsors, finalists and winners

The following list details each of the award categories and their respective sponsors, with a breakdown of all of the finalists and winners.

Technical Innovation of the Year

Sponsored by Beko Technologies

Presenter: Martin Potter, general manager

• ABB Air Gap Inspector.

• Lenze Smart Motor.

• Phoenix Contact PSR Mini Safety Relays.

• Pirtek Fluid Power Glove.

• Rockwell Automation iTRAK System.

• Webtec Products Portable Hydraulic Tester (DHM 4 Series) with Bluetooth and QuickCert App.

Winner: Rockwell Automation iTRAK System.

Environmental/Energy Efficiency Award

Sponsored by GAMBICA

Presenter: Graeme Philp, chief executive

• Bosch Rexroth Sytronix.

• Danfoss Drives FC 103 VLT Refrigeration Drive.

• Danfoss Drives for generating surplus power from wastewater treatment.

• Donaldson Filtration for significant energy savings with heat generated HRS 2750 (Enersave).

• Hydrovane TO2 Transit Compressor.

• Ing. Enea Mattei SpA Xpander.

Winner: Danfoss Drives for generating surplus power from wastewater treatment.

Project of the Year

Sponsored by ABB

Presenter: David Hawley, LBU manager, motors & generators

• Danfoss Drives for generating surplus power from wastewater treatment.

• Mattei Compressors for supplying reliable, flexible and highly energy efficient compressed air to the CEMEX South Ferriby site.

• Wrekin Pneumatics for building and installing chiller units and heat exchangers.

Winner: Mattei Compressors for supplying reliable, flexible and highly energy efficient compressed air to the CEMEX South Ferriby site.

Manufacturer of the Year

Sponsored by Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine

Presenter: Ryan Fuller, commercial director

• Kawasaki Precision Machinery.

• PI.

Winner: PI

Distributor of the Year

Sponsored by Beaumanor Engineering

Presenter: Adrian McGreevy, managing director

• Brammer.

• Oddy Hydraulics.

• Thorite.

• Wrekin Pneumatics.

Winner: Brammer

Contribution to Skills & Training

Sponsored by Bosch Rexroth

Presenter: Alastair Johnstone, managing director

• Gregg Bordiak, British Compressed Air Society (BCAS).

• Kawasaki Precision Machinery.

• Parker Hannifin and The JCB Academy for the new hydraulic engineering training facility.

Winner: Parker Hannifin and The JCB Academy for the new hydraulic engineering training facility.

Young MC Engineer of the Year

Sponsored by Parker Hannifin

Presenter: Martin Eldridge, general manager

• Ashley Paley, Countersales UK.

• William Broome, Derek Lane & Co.

• Graham Fick, Zikodrive Motor Controllers.

Winner: William Broome, Derek Lane & Co.

Lifetime Contribution

Sponsored by BCAS

Presenter: Vanda Jones, executive director

(No finalists)

Winner: Greg Bordiak, BCAS.

Lifetime Contribution

Sponsored by BFPA

Presenter: Paul Dunlop, president

(No finalists)

Winner: John Savage, National Fluid Power Centre (NFPC).

Andrew Castle, director of Motion Control Industry Awards organizer, Touchwave Media Ltd., commented: "Having spent the best part of a year planning and promoting the inaugural Motion Control Industry Awards, we were delighted with both the attendance on the night, and the overall reaction to the awards ceremony. The response from all those involved has been nothing short of excellent, ensuring that we now have a strong mandate to produce the awards on an annual basis.”

Castle continued: “Our congratulations must go to all of the finalists, and of course to the eventual category winners, all of whom are richly deserving of the accolade. It was a pleasure to see some of the MCIA trophies and certificates on display at the co-located exhibitions throughout the week, which will no doubt have helped to encourage others to prepare and submit entries for the 2017 awards programme. Of course, the support and commitment of our sponsors must also be acknowledged; without whom an awards programme of this type would not be possible.”