Official N.Z. contest for forklift drivers

Press, 4 October 1982, Page 38

Official N.Z. contest for forklift drivers

The bid to win the coveted title of New Zealand's best forklift driver begins for a number of South Island drivers in Christchurch this week-end.

Drivers from throughout Canterbury. South Canterbury and Westland will put their skills on the line during the first round of the Bth National Forklift Drivers' Championship, being held in conjunction with the Southern Machinery Show. The winner will go forward to a national final in Te Puke in January, where the cream of the country's 20.000 drivers will battle it out for a $4OOO trophy and a trip to Japan. Loadlift Equipment. Ltd. a Ceramco subsidiary, introduced the idea of the contest some years ago. and has organised and part-sponsored — with the Accident Com-

pensation Commission - the event ever since.

It is now generally recognised as the official national contest for forklift drivers.

"we will continue to sponsor the event but we believe that its true importance to our'trading structure and the national economy is buried somewhat under the commercial implication." Loadlift's South Island manager. Mr Graeme Hancox. said "The forklift has a far greater impact on the economy than most people realise. Goods storage and handling is a multi-million dollar facet of our commercial endeavour and it employs 20.000 people to drive forklifts.

"Consequently, the forklift has an impact right throughout our commercial structure. and it is vitally important that we obtain the maxi-

mum operational efficiency from both. The cumulative effect on costs, productivity and safety can be enormous. "That is why this cham- • pionship is so important to

the country. It encourages greater expertise, greater efficiency and greater safety throughout a critical part of our economy." Mr Hancox says.