Pump Sector Celebrates Excellence Once More

Heralded as another great success by all those in attendance, the event once again celebrated business and professional excellence right across the pump industry. Hosted by ITV’s Andrea Byrne, the awards dinner reflected the huge enthusiasm for live ‘in-person’ events and provided a wonderful opportunity for pump people to unite and connect with friends, colleagues, and clients.  With entertainment provided by the incredible mindreading double act DNA, the atmosphere was one of real enjoyment and networking.

Chris Powles, Head of Business Development - Services Division, Sulzer, summed up the feeling of all by saying: “Last Thursday’s event was excellent - our table consisted of a mixture of Sulzer staff and customers, all of which thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Here’s to next year!”

First time participant, Megan Brownsell, Marketing Communications Manager, Atlas Copco Power Technique UK & Ireland, commented: “This was Atlas Copco Power Technique’s first time at the BPMA Pump Industry Awards, and we were lucky enough to be nominated for both Manufacturer of the year and Supplier of the Year. We were delighted to have been nominated for not just one, but two awards, and although we didn’t win, we enjoyed a wonderful evening surrounded by other professionals within the industry.”

That sentiment was further echoed by Ann Boardman, Head of Marketing & Product Management at Saniflo who said: “As a relatively new member, Saniflo were delighted to be one of the sponsors of the BPMA Pump Industry Awards this year. It is important to recognise the essential work and product development within the industry and to celebrate its successes. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening, and we look forward to future events.”

Event Director, Andrew Castle, said after the event: “Bringing the 2022 awards to market so soon after staging the postponed 2019 ceremony was no mean feat.  But with the fantastic support of our sponsors, and the strong desire of entrants to have their efforts over the past two years recognised, the 21^st outing of this BPMA initiative was one of the best yet.

He added: “The quality of this year’s entries was extremely high, and it is testament to the strength of the British Pump Industry that the awards are so well supported. Congratulations to all those involved in its delivery.”

Recognising significant achievements which took place in the 24-month period up to December 2021, the nine category winners were revealed, as follows:

• Product of the Year Sponsored by Process Engineering - DAB Pumps - Esybox Max
• Project of the Year Sponsored by Stuart Turner - SPP Pumps for the Re-Engineering of a Large 53-Year Old Splitcase Pump
• Environmental Contribution of the Year Sponsored by SPP Pumps - The Wilo K Series - Broken Scar (Northumbrian Water)
• Manufacturer of the Year Sponsored by WEG UK - Apex Pumps
• Distributor of the Year Sponsored by Particle - Flowtech Water Solutions
• Supplier of the Year Sponsored by Wilo - ABB
• Contribution to Skills & Training Sponsored by Tomlinson Hall - Ken Vance - Salamander Pumps
• Rising Star Award Sponsored by World Pumps - Jack Sheard - Fluid Water Solutions
• Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by BPMA - Steve Schofield

Special Recognition
Having spent the best part of 47 years in the pump industry, with a little under half of that time working for the sector’s trade body, Steve Schofield, CEO of the BPMA, was acknowledged for his hard work and tireless support for the pump industry, through the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Having spent the first part of his career enjoying various roles at Mather and Platt, Durco, Flowserve and Hayward Tyler, Steve joined the BPMA as its Technical Officer in 1998. Making that role very much his own, he became actively involved in many European Commission energy efficiency programmes including the much-valued Pump Life Cycle Costing initiative. Assuming the role of Secretary for a host of European standards based working groups, he has been heavily involved in the creation of various international guides in areas such as variable speed pumps and system efficiency in Rotodynamic pumps.

Over the years he has worked closely with several UK Government departments, such as DEFRA, DECC and BEIS, on numerous initiatives including the development and introduction of the Certified Pump Systems Auditor Scheme (CPSA) as well as becoming Convener for the ISO TC115 Pump System Assessment standard ISO 14414.

In 2013, he took over the role of CEO at the BPMA, and throughout his tenure has continued to engage both directly and indirectly with many other trade bodies and organisations and has maintained a strong and influential involvement with Europump, the Association of European Pump Manufacturers, of which BPMA is a founding member.  He still holds the position of Secretary to the Marketing Commission and is an active member of its Technical and Standards Commissions.

Steve was overwhelmed to receive this accolade, which was a complete surprise to him on the night, as it remained a closely guarded secret by just a handful of people.  In fact, Steve thought the awards would be going to someone else, and so was completely shocked when it was his name that was announced.

2023 Awards Programme
With technology ever advancing and innovation a constant entity across the sector, we are already seeking nominations and entries for the 2023 Pump Industry Awards.  Maintaining our usual Spring timeline, the gala dinner and presentation ceremony will again take place in late March.

The online entry forms, which seek entries for activities and achievements that will have taken place throughout this year will be available on the website - www.pumpindustryawards.com – from Wednesday 1^st June, with the entry deadline set for Friday 6th January 2023. Please make a note of these important dates, and begin considering which key developments, activities, and successes you will be putting forward for industry recognition and reward. The awards are free to enter and are open to any company operating within the pump sector.