Narrative read by Sally Traffic during shortlist announcement: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time for The Heavies to pay tribute to one of the UKs greatest heavy hauliers by way of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
To present this coveted award, we welcomed to the stage our 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Mr. Peter Searson – who graciously presented the award on behalf of Category Sponsors, HeavyTorque.
This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to the founder of a haulage business that has earned universal respect for customer service and innovation. He started the company in the 1950s, with a single five-ton wagon transporting livestock between farms and to local auctions, and has overseen its growth to a fleet that now includes 50 tractor units and 100 specialist trailers. From its roots in the local farming community, our award-winner has taken the firm into the heart of the heavy rail and steel sectors. And, during a career of over 60 years, he has embraced innovation, consistently winning awards for specialist trailers designed for the rail sector.
Despite ill health in recent years, his passion for the industry and his company has not diminished. Even when illness made it difficult to communicate, he would find the strength to ask his family for an update on the day’s works, whether jobs had gone ok, what some of the drivers were doing and whether all the cranes were out. Thankfully, he has made a remarkable recovery, and is now back in the yard giving orders and planting his much-loved potatoes.
Our Lifetime Achievement Award went to a man – a gentleman – whose grit and determination to provide a quality service to his customers still continues. A man who has always worked seven days a week and would willingly work an eighth day if there was one.
The very worthy recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was the founder of Lawsons Haulage: Jim Lawson.
Jim collected the award from non-other than our 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Peter Searson – who kindly presented our final award on behalf of HeavyTorque – the Category Sponsors. He was joined on stage by his daughter Pauline and son Raymond Lawson.