BPI.VISQUEEN REACHES NATIONAL FINAL

Robert Watson, a forklift truck driver from bpi.visqueen, has taken part in the all-UK Grand Final of the RTITB Operator of the Year competition 2011 – an event designed to recognise the importance of accredited training for operators.

Robert, who works at bpi.visqueen’s Ardeer factory and who was trained by John McWhinnie Forklift Training, qualified for the grand final after winning the Scottish national competition in May 2011.

The all-UK Grand Final, which took place on 16th September in Telford, saw ten competitors from across the UK take part in a series of tests designed to assess their driving skills and safety awareness. This included the hook a duck competition to test accuracy and manoeuvrability, a crazy ghost duel involving operating in restricted conditions and an event known as smash ‘em alley, which tested the contestants’ accuracy as they attempted to achieve a strike.

Finalists also took part in a number of safety tests such as a complete pre-use inspection of the truck and a carousel conundrum – where the contestants had to navigate themselves around the carousel by correctly answering questions on operator safety and techniques.

Commenting on the competition Alan Harris, Business Director at bpi.visqueen, said: “As a business, bpi.visqueen is entirely committed to promoting the importance of health and safety in the workplace. The RTITB did a great job in highlighting this issue and in recognising the work of forklift truck operators across the UK. To have made it to the grand final was a great achievement and we’re all extremely proud of Robert’s performance.”

Robert, who narrowly missed out on winning the competition, added: “As Scottish Champion, I was delighted to have the opportunity to compete in the grand final. Although I was disappointed not to win, I was competing against some of the best forklift operators in the nation and the standards were extremely high. It was a fantastic experience and I’m looking forward to entering again next year for a second shot at the national title.”

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IMAGE & CAPTION: RTITB Grand Final.jpg: Grand finalist. A forklift truck driver from bpi.visqueen has taken part in the grand final of the RTITB Operator of the Year competition.

For more information please contact Wayne Mohammed or Emma Macey at PRECISION on 0161 638 8714 or email: wayne@precision-online.co.uk or emma@precision-online.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• British Polythene Industries (BPI) plc is a European leader in the manufacture of polythene film products and a leading global supplier of agricultural and horticultural films.

• bpi.visqueen, a division of British Polythene Industries, operates from a network of sites across the UK, including production facilities in Ardeer, Greenock and Swansea.

• bpi.visqueen’s extensive product portfolio includes heavy-duty sacks, pallet protection products and speciality wide width films. These products are employed by some of Europe’s biggest names in agriculture, horticulture, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

• bpi.visqueen complements its broad range of products with high quality flexographic printing capabilities, advanced conversion processes and in-depth technical experience to deliver leading-edge film solutions/formats.

• As a result of its commitment to operating in a sustainable way and to minimising the environmental impact of all of its activities, BPI won the Best Green Large Company category at the 2010 Scottish Green Awards.

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