THE HEAVIES TO RELAUNCH IN 2024, BIGGER AND BETTER!

They say that bad luck comes in threes, first came the Coronavirus outbreak, second we were hit with operational restrictions, and now Peterborough Arena, the previous home of the Heavies Awards, has closed for events pending planning permission for a leisure development.

Sadly, this means that our planned Heavies Awards on 10th November has to be postponed yet again.  The Heavies Awards, since its inception in 2015 has celebrated excellence across the heavy transport and abnormal load industry. From our beginnings, our judges have delivered industry recognition to operators across the UK, an honour we hope to continue to deliver for many years to come.

That being said, unfortunately, due to the uniqueness of The Heavies awards, good (truck friendly!) venues are hard to find, and we can’t simply rehome our industry celebrations at the drop of a hat.

With this in mind, we’ve taken the decision to press the pause button whilst we work behind the scenes to find our beloved Heavies Awards a new home.  Throughout the heavy haulage and abnormal load industry, operators work exceptionally hard to deliver awe-inspiring transport projects, and  we believe that our event and our industry deserve the best.

The Heavies will re-launch in 2024, bigger and better than ever and entries will open early next year.  For those entries already submitted, we’ll happily roll them across to the 2024 awards, or accept new submissions.  We will contact entrants individually in due course.

Alongside these awards, we were also planning to finally reveal the winners of the 2020 awards, which we never got to celebrate due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  All the lucky winners have long since been chosen by our panel of judges – we just haven’t been able to celebrate!  So, rather than roll this over for yet another year, we’ll be announcing the winners via our social media channels over the coming weeks, and we’ll send our lucky winners their silverware directly.

So, for the time being, watch this space and rest assured, The Heavies will return, bigger and better than ever!

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Andy Adams, or a member of the team on +44 (0) 1572 504006.
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ENTRIES FOR 2024 WILL OPEN SHORTLY

WILL YOU BE A WINNER?

The abnormal load movement family are an industry within an industry. While the vanilla-flavoured 44-tonne tractor-trailers are sailing up the motorways with everything from baked beans and teabags, to breeze blocks and bricks, yes, they are keeping UK plc moving. But it’s you, the specialists who move the nation’s infrastructure into place, who lay the foundations for it all. You more than deserve recognition for that effort, expertise and professionalism, and ‘The Heavies’ awards is where you’ll find it.

The Heavies awards prides itself in seeking out effort and excellence, regardless of size. Our judges have handed out the gongs, not just to the headline names we all know in the industry, but to some of the less well-known operators who are raising standards, and showing that small can be beautiful too.

The Heavies 2017

All industries have their premier event, where they get together and meet their peers and friends. The Heavies is that opportunity for you. It’s a chance to make new business contacts too, and whether you are a winner, you’ve been shortlisted, or you are at the event as a guest, it’s the evening this sector of the industry is now talking about.

It’s also a great way to entertain clients and reward staff for their efforts over the past year. It’s important to remember that last year’s winners cannot rely on submitting the same projects for an award, and neither can they assume that their title is safe from an operator they might never even have heard of.

There are a total of fifteen awards that aim to seek out the innovators and the best performers in the widest range of operations; after all, it’s a hugely diverse sector. If you are dithering about entering, a comment from last year’s judges is worth bearing in mind. They said, “Entries do not need to be full of glitz and snappy presentations. We can see through that, to the essential value of the submission.” That philosophy means that the door is truly wide open to large and small companies alike.

The Heavies is proud to announce the return of two legends of BBC radio royalty, Ms. Sally Boazman and and Mr. Jon Harle: your evenings hosts. Sally better known to BBC Radio 2 listeners as ‘Sally Traffic’, is certainly no stranger to the sector, as her 2018 welcome address quipped “Your industry keeps me in a job”!

Meanwhile, keeping Sally in check is regular HeavyTorque contributor Jon Harle. Again, Jon is no stranger to our industry having spent 10 years at Pickfords Heavy Haulage before picking up his microphone and then latterly his pen. Between them they will bring sparkle and glamour to the event, whilst helping to celebrate the achievements of the industry’s premier operators, escort operators, industry figures, policy makers, manufacturers and suppliers.

Together they will be recognising innovation, outstanding service, efficiency and quality. To win, or just to be shortlisted, is evidence of the highest achievement in the industry, as judged by an international panel of industry experts.

OUR CHOSEN CHARITY

transid
The Heavies are proud to support Transaid, an international development charity that identifies, champions, implements and shares local transport solutions which improve access to basic services and economic opportunity for poor people in developing countries. Through combining the expertise of the UK Transport and Logistics industry with our experience in international development, we partner with local community organisations, governments, institutions and donors to achieve our aims. This collaborative approach enables Transaid to provide innovative solutions to some of the key challenges facing transport and development today. Transaid was founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and our Patron is HRH The Princess Royal.

THE HEAVIES 2024: SPONSORSHIP AND ATTENDANCE

Becoming a Heavies sponsor allows your company to reach this niche market. Providing a powerful complement to other marketing programs, whilst delivering dramatic influence on customer relations both new and old. The audience is made up of key decision makers, operators, policy makers, manufacturers and suppliers representing the entire heavy and abnormal load industry. You will also reach our website visitors with your brand messages.

Supporting the awards demonstrates your industry leadership and active commitment to a professional and high quality industry. In 2016, and as a bold move to innovate this high profile event, The Heavies provided the opportunity for one trailer manufacturer to gain front-of-house exposure: Your trailer as the main stage! In 2024, the Headline Sponsor will receive this and many more sponsorship benefits. Who will it be?

TESTIMONIALS

The Heavies 2017 proved to be yet another glittering success for the event organisers, Nimble Media and Volvo Trucks. To win the ‘Innovation of the Year – Vehicle Manufacturer’ was wonderful and further recognition for I-Shift with Crawler Gears and its unique and outstanding benefits for the heavy haulage sector. It was great to see so many high profile heavy haulage and crane operators in a social environment, discussing industry issues or just simply having fun. The amazing atmosphere in Peterborough was superb as it’s not often you get to dine with so many great trucks in the room. It all proved that this event continues to go from strength to strength and we look forward to the next event in 2018.

John Comer , Head of Product Management at Volvo Trucks

As a world market leader we are very proud to obtain the ‘Trailer Manufacturer of the Year’ award at The Heavies 2015. Thanks for the great ceremony and excellent event! (2015 Testimonial)

Mirjam Weber , Marketing & Social Media Manager at TII Group

In all honesty I found the evening fantastic. Very well organised with a great ambiance! What I particularly enjoyed was the perfect balance between the official proceedings and ample networking opportunities. The speeches were short but with enough content, and the winners were certainly given their moment to bask in the glory. We look forward to adding this exciting event to our event calendar in future years! (2015 Testimonial)

Han Rekers , Sales Director at Nooteboom

Since it’s beginning in 2015 The Heavies continues to go from strength to strength and the 2017 event was no exception. The Collett team once again had a fantastic evening surrounded by colleagues and industry professionals celebrating the brightest and best achievements in heavy transport logistics. Collett were delighted to be awarded Operator of the Year, an amazing accolade to add to our awards cabinet. The Heavies is an event’s must for the haulage industry and we eagerly await the next instalment!

David Collett , Managing Director at Collett & Sons Ltd

Yet again it was another great evening. Making our industry and our people glitzy is quite an achievement! A great charitable cause and an extremely well run event: thoroughly enjoyable.

David Allely , Director at Allelys Group

Congratulations to all involved in the organisation of The Heavies 2017, which yet again proved to be another successful year recognising the hard work by all in the UK heavy haulage sector. For ALE to be recognised for its launch of widening axle technology is a proud moment for all concerned in the project and underlines our commitment to leading the way in bringing innovative solutions to the market. We look forward to participating in future events.

Matthew Rushton , Senior Sales Manager at ALE

Many congratulations to Andy, and the HeavyTorque team who worked on the organisation of The Heavies 2017. The venue was absolutely perfect with an atmosphere to match. It goes without saying that the awards were presented with accurate, ample content and true professionalism. What better way to spend a Friday evening than being surrounded by friends and colleagues of which many were recognised for their hard work and dedication within the heavy haulage sector. A very big thank you to all concerned for a truly fantastic evening. May we wish you continued success for many years to come.

JP Searson , Chairman at Heanor Haulage Ltd

Volvo Trucks were delighted to be part of the inaugural ‘The Heavies’ event, in support of the HTA. From an organisational standpoint the whole event proved an excellent showcase for the industry and one that was enjoyed by invited customers and staff alike. We look forward to “The Heavies 2016” (2015 Testimonial)

Nigel Hanwell , Press Officer at Volvo Trucks

The Heavies was met with eager anticipation and did not fail to impress. The venue was amazing, with vehicles and trailers surrounding diners in the spectacular Hangar 42. Heavy haulage remained the main focus of the evening, enabling me to meet with fellow hauliers and exchange stories and business cards. (2015 Testimonial)

Simon Griffiths , Director at Smiths Heavy Haulage

Well organised and a nice location to pass a diverting evening.’ The Heavies 2015’ was a nice experience for Faymonville and our partners in the United Kingdom. To win the prize for the ‘Innovation of the Year – Manufacturer’ was further recognition of our CombiMAX and its outstanding and unique character for the transport sector. This event was a proof of the moving transport business in the UK – a market where Faymonville Trailers occupy the leading position. (2015 Testimonial)

Marco Andres , Press & Communications Manager at Faymonville Trailers

Once again, credit to Andy and the HeavyTorque team, the Heavies Awards proved to be an excellent evening! We’ve been attending the event since it’s inception in 2015 and each year it’s grown from strength to strength. It provides a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the excellence in the heavy transport industry and for companies to showcase the talented employees who seamlessly undertake these amazing projects. We are truly honoured to collect the Job of the Year CAT3 award at this year’s event and we’re already counting down to the next!

David Collett , Managing Director at Collett & Sons Ltd

Rydam Universal Ltd were once again delighted to be part of the ‘The Heavies’ 2017 event – Even more so after receiving industry recognition amongst our peers, through the winning of ‘Project of the Year’ category. Both the team and our guests had a fantastic night in the new venue, which looked amazing surrounded by a range of vehicles and trailers. Congratulations to Andy and the team! The whole evening once again proved an excellent showcase for the industry and we look forward to “The Heavies 2018”!

John Green , Managing Director at Rydam Universal Ltd

The first ever Heavies awards was a resounding success, the Collett team had a fantastic evening and our congratulations go to Andy, Vicky and everyone else involved in the planning, organisation and execution of the event. The Heavies is a welcome addition to the industry’s calendar and we look forward to its continued success in the coming years. (2015 Testimonial)

Michelle Grieves , Marketing & PR Manager at Collett & Sons Ltd

Finally an awards dinner for the hard working UK heavy haulage companies! Long overdue, but definitely worth the wait. A fantastic evening was enjoyed by Faymonville representatives and their guests. We look forward to next year’s event which we sincerely hope will be even bigger and better. (2015 Testimonial)

Peter Dougan , Director at Traffco Ltd (Faymonville UK)

I believe that a lot of hard work went into the evening and I would like to congratulate Andy and Vicky on a wonderful event. From the moment I walked in – surrounded by the industries finest equipment and a unique venue, I knew it would be a great night. (2015 Testimonial)

Stuart Rawcliffe , Director at JB Rawcliffe & Sons Ltd

Once again, another fantastic evening at The Heavies! The move to Peterborough Arena allowed for an increased turnout, adding to an already great atmosphere at this much-anticipated event. Many well-deserved awards were presented during the evening, to both high achieving individuals and companies. This marvellous evening, organised by Nimble Publishing (HeavyTorque), really set the tone for future events as the place to be for the abnormal load industry.

Chris Palmer and Ian Franklin , Keith Rhodes Machinery Installations Ltd

An extra special awards event with a professional atmosphere. The Heavies provides a great opportunity to network with potential and existing customer, colleagues and even competitors. It’s a very sociable evening with good food and great entertainment, richly rewarding our niche industry. We look forward to being with you again in 2018.

Arnold Luxen , Sales Director at Faymonville Group

A high quality of guests attended with great networking opportunities throughout the night. New and old faces to heavy haulage filled the venue. With special thanks to our represented customers: Charles Russell Transport, Herbies Haulage and Ford & Slater. We will be back next year! (2015 Testimonial)

Chloe Hignett , Marketing Manager at King Trailers Limited