The transportation and logistics industry in Ireland gathered at the Crowne Plaza in Santry on March 7th to honour industry excellence at the annual Irish Logistics and Transport Awards 2024. Now in its fourteenth year, the event hosted by writer and comic Colm O’Regan distributed 20 accolades across various organisations and individuals.
The top accolade was presented to BWG Foods, a retailer and wholesaler, that additionally bagged the award for the Own Account Transport Operator of the Year category. The esteemed Logistics and Transport Leader for 2024 was bestowed upon Philip Tracey, the CEO of private firm Ace Express Freight. Ace, one of Ireland’s major freight businesses, manages hundreds of trailers commuting weekly to and from the UK.
Statista reveals the sector’s significance, predicting the third-party logistics (3PL) market in Ireland to exceed €5 billion by 2024. This surge in growth rate, estimated at 4.7% annually, could foresee a market cap of over €6bn by 2028. The demand for specialised logistics services is increasing in Ireland’s thriving tech and pharmaceutical sectors. The government’s Logistics Week data estimates that the industry’s employment increased by 5% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2022, reaching 113,100, which equals 4.4% of the country’s workforce. With nearly 45 million tons of goods transported by road every quarter, the transport and logistics industry significantly powers the Irish economy.
The standard of entries was exceedingly high this year, according to Maura O’Toole, a judge at the Awards, and owner and chief trainer at Facilitrain, an organisational and presentation skills provider. She was particularly amazed by the four nominees in the Women in Logistics & Transport category, lauding their remarkable entries and the victor as exemplary role models for women in this male-centric field. She also commended the innovative technological applications demonstrated by finalists in the Best Use of Technology and Technology Provider categories, highlighting the exciting use of modern technology in an often viewed traditional industry.
Gareth Prendergast, who heads the logistics division of the Irish Defence Forces, was one of the adjudicators in the event. He affirmed his pleasure with the entire proceeding and operational experience, describing it as thoroughly professional from inception to conclusion.
The accolade for the most outstanding team in transportation and logistics was claimed by Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance. The company’s CEO, Brigid Derry, emphasised the expedience of perpetual advancement to stay ahead of the fickle market dynamics.
She said, “The landscape of the transportation and logistics sector is perpetually shifting. We foresee the onset of fresh border regulations, which is why we feel a compelling need to consistently deliver specialised shipping and customs clearance proficiency to propel the expansion of businesses.”
The awards ceremony was a significant occasion for the sponsors. Joey Whelan, the director of platinum sponsor AIB Corporate Banking, was in attendance with Nessa Devereux, who oversees AIB’s transport and logistics. Devereux commented, “AIB acknowledges the logistics sector’s critical contribution to the broader economy and its instrumental role in empowering individuals to establish a viable future. The ceremony provided an exceptional chance to engage with so many commendable businesses and witness their passion and zest first-hand.”
Edith Denieff, who works as the director of operational excellence at Crane Worldwide Logistics, received the ‘Women in Logistics & Transport’ award. Denieff handled the organisation’s operations in Shannon, Cork, and Dublin, Ireland before being tasked with handling the company’s operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Denieff has been acknowledged for her work with the Crane Cares programme, employing the firm’s logistics proficiency for societal advantage and the “Logistics for Literacy” initiative. She is frequently recognised for using her cross-border transportation expertise to help charities deliver aid in Ukraine. On this matter, Jack Lenihan, her director, had to add, “We are thrilled to toast to Edith’s win as the woman of the year in the logistics and transport industry 2024. Kudos from your colleagues.”
Also, Mike Fitzpatrick, the general manager at gold sponsor ISM Training & Recruitment (part of the Irish School of Motoring), said: “ISM takes pride in its longstanding support of the logistics and transport industry spanning six decades. The ILT Awards annually provides us with a unique opportunity to network with our clients, advertise our services, and commend the excellence in the transport and logistics sector.”
Numerous accolades were up for grabs at the ILT Awards, making the distinction of winners quite challenging. Those who made the shortlist also found success that evening. Marc Nixon, Transpoco’s marketing manager, and finalist, recounted how the awards effectively highlighted the industry’s talent. Making it into the shortlist was an honour for him as it denoted the critical function of artificial intelligence in propelling safety advancements in Irish transportation and logistics.
Spectrum’s general manager, Gary Owens shared similar sentiments, expressing pride in their finalist status for the Irish Logistics and Transport Awards’ customer focus achievement category. This feat was a testament of their continuous investment in technology and staff development, which bagged them excellent customer ratings the previous year.
Kevin O’Driscoll, Business River’s director of partnership programmes, acknowledged the awards’ sponsors at the event, expressing gratitude for the support provided by the 2024 sponsors and professional allies including Allied Irish Bank, ISM Recruitment, Driving Force, and Road Safety Authority. Their contribution symbolised their dedication to this crucial business sector.
The path to victory will consistently be plotted by the Irish Logistics and Transport Awards.
Judges for the night included Declan Allen, Technological University Dublin’s judging coordinator; Páraic Carroll, assistant professor at University College Dublin; Seamus Kavanagh, executive officer at Irish International Freight Association; Michael O’Callaghan, director at IPICS The Supply Chain Management Institute; Maura O’Toole, proprietor and lead trainer at Facilitrain; Gareth Prendergast, director of logistics at Irish Defence Forces; Efce Van Heerden, lecturer at Munster Technological University and Dr Jelena Vlajic, senior lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast.
Winners of the event were:
– Overall logistics & transport excellence award (sponsored by Driving Force): BWG Foods
– Logistics & transport leader 2024 (sponsored by ISM Recruitment): Philip Tracey, Ace Express Freight
– Women in logistics & transport award: Crane Worldwide Logistics – Edith Denieffe
– Logistics & transport SME company of the year: Road Truck Services
– Logistics & transport team of the year (sponsored by AIB): Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance
– Freight forwarding company of the year: Ace Express Freight
McCulla Ireland’s Sustainable Transport bagged the Green Impact award, sponsored by AIB. Musgrave was recognised with the Customer Focus Achievement award, while the Safety Award went to Iarnród Éireann. The Supply Chain Achievement award, supported by ISM Recruitment, was given to Bus Éireann, and Ace Express Freight claimed the 3PL Achievement award. Benjamin Barnes from Sysco was honoured with the Future Achiever Award.
McCulla Ireland also won the award for Excellence in Warehousing category for their Temperature-Controlled Storage & Distribution. Fastway was named the Courier Company of the Year, while the Best Use of Technology award was bestowed on APCOA Parking Ireland. Fleet Data was adjudged the Technology Provider of the Year.
Companies excelling in transportation services were also honoured, with BWG Foods earning the accolade for Own Account Transport Operator of the Year, and Corduff Travel bagging the Passenger Transport Company of the Year award.
In terms of employment, Ace Express Freight was chosen as the Employer of the Year. Clare Distribution Services rounded out the list, earning the title of Independent Transport Operator of the Year.