Now in their third year, the awards were established to celebrate excellence in piling and, in particular, young technicians and professionals committed to learning and personal development. They also are designed to applaud piling companies that have gone the extra mile to demonstrate safety innovation or the application of technology that has improved quality, productivity or any aspect of their business. This year's awards attracted 32 individual award entries judged by Pam Rigby (United Utilities), Chris Harnan (MD of Ceecom Consult Limited) and Rachel Monteith (Associate Director at Buro Happold UK), all leading figures within construction.
The winners at this year's Federation of Piling Specialists Annual Awards were:
- Dawson-WAM, which was awarded the Safety Innovation Award (sponsored by John Laurie Tubulars), for its Safelane Check Point an audible alarm system making the work area safer
- Keller, which was awarded the Technology Award (sponsored by Casagrande UK), for its 3 into 2 Initiative reducing the number of lorries required to mobilise equipment to site
- Luke Morris, Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering, was awarded the Early Career Technician Award (sponsored by Dywidag-Systems International)
- Blake Murray, Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering, took the Early Career Professional Award (sponsored by Cementation Skanska)
In addition, Mark Pennington, Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering, was awarded the prestigious FPS Chair's Award (sponsored by Cleveland Steel and Tubes), in recognition of his contribution to the piling sector. Mark has worked for over 20 years in ground engineering and has led the initiatives to improve the FPS Rig Bearing Pressure spreadsheet and to improve industry piling platform safety performance. Mark has also been a driver behind the development of FPS BIM Guidance documents, to support members to develop their own digital management systems and was part of the team that set up the Crossrail Lessons Learned conference. Most importantly, he has chaired the FPS Technical Committee since 2011.
