Better-informed decisions: how awards help 

Seek out award winners. The materials handling sector is well served in that respect, with authoritative bodies using their skill and wisdom to point you to the best of the best. 

Since 1954, Red Dot has grown to become an internationally recognised mark of design excellence, highlighting those deemed to have excelled in product design, brand design, or concept design.

Run by the UK Material Handling Association, the Archies recently celebrated its 27th anniversary. The event – which has long been supported by this publication – focuses exclusively on the materials handling industry, putting equipment, services, and ancillary products under the microscope.

These trusted awards, backed by a history of objectivity and credibility, provide a reliable metric for identifying quality. As a result, relying on their judgment and expertise can significantly reduce the pain of evaluating equipment when you’re starting from a blank slate.

It’s no coincidence that Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has taken home an Archie on ten separate occasions and was the first manufacturer to walk away with the top honours in every one of the "big four" categories: Safety, Environment, Ergonomics, and Innovation.

Its total of five Red Dot Design Awards is the highest for any forklift truck manufacture outside of Germany.

Clearly, every awarding body will use different criteria, but well-established and demonstrably impartial awards will certainly offer you an efficient way to shortlist potential candidates.

For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk