2006-06-08 The search for Australia’s top forklift driver

In a collaborative effort for a safer working environment, Crown Equipment together with CHEP Australia, once again sponsored the Swire Cold Storage National Forklift Driver Competition for the second year running.

"Crown Equipment is very pleased to be a part of this great initiative for the second year in a row and will continue to associate with best practice companies committed to safety, such as Swire Cold Storage (SCS) and CHEP Australia. This year's competition has shown marked
improvement in participant skill levels nationally and an increase in competitor numbers, proving the event is becoming more popular with floor staff and increasing safety awareness in the process" says Craig Kenchington, Marketing Manager Crown Equipment.

The competition final, took place on the 24th of May at the SCS facility in Hemmant, QLD. Participants were flown in a day early and treated to one night's accommodation (courtesy of Crown Equipment) and celebratory dinner (courtesy of CHEP Australia). During the dinner,
state finalists were presented with commemorative plaques by Graham Brown (Key Account Manager Retail CHEP) and Greg Murcott (GM Operations, Crown). A brief description on each finalist's achievements was also given by Warwick Unsworth (Acting CEO, SCS).

During the final participants faced a challenging course, designed to test their driving and safety skills on a brand new CROWN SC4000 Counterbalance electric Forklift. While the overall skill level was high, George Glisic, winner of the 2005 SCS National Forklift
Competition, proved that he is still the one to beat, taking the title once more and vowing to return to defend it yet again in 2007.

"Last year's competition reinforced the skills required to operate a forklift safely. I will definitely be signing up again in 2007 and joining all state winners in actively promoting the competition to my workmates," says George Glisic winner SCS National Forklift Competition 2005-06.

"As a judge I saw great improvement in forklift operator skill levels and am very pleased with the outcomes. George's victory for the second year in row is testament to what can be achieved when you apply yourself and take safety on board in your daily work" says Graham Brown, Key Account Manager Retail CHEP Australia.

"The 2006 Swire Cold Storage national forklift driver competition was very successful and will only continue to increase in momentum and become a date of importance on forklift operator calendars. The competition is one medium already used to promote safety to our staff, specifically focusing on certain groups within the organisation.
Following on from this will be the inaugural Transport Driver Competition to take place later in the year focusing on what makes a safe driver. As an organisation we are committed to Safety First! and would like to thank Crown Equipment and CHEP Australia for their
continued support in making safety a priority" says Lou Gheller, SCS General Manager Human Resources.

George Glisic will receive return airfares for two people and two nights accommodation in the capital city of his choice within Australia.