Transport Management 75

You can read all about it in our next edition, but I can't wait to reveal the names of the winners of Best of TRANSPORT 2013, the top event for transport professionals that took place on 12 June in the Koloniënpaleis in Tervuren. Super Best Dealer. After Kant (Volvo Trucks), Cammaert (Iveco) and Frederix (MAN Truck & Bus), Aerts Trucks (DAF Trucks, Bornem) can add the title of 'best dealer of all brands' to its list of achievements. This thoroughbred family business is now in its 2nd ^generation and has managed to further increase its turnover, despite the declining sales since the crisis of 2008, thanks in particular to an expansion of its workshop activities. Best Innovation. DPD won last year with its Total Zero programme, but who will succeed the parcel service provider? It was DHL Global Forwarding Belgium that won the coveted prize with its brand-new logistics hub in Brucargo. The hub brings all of the group's air freight activities under one roof on an impressive 23,000 square metre surface area and stands out for its resolutely green approach. For example, a number of environmentally friendly technologies are used on the site, including on-site electric vehicles and water recovery. Furthermore, the goods handling is fully automated. Safety Award. The three nominees were impressive: Tanktransport Peeters, Wim Bosman and Vervoer Verbessem. The jury (the three federations, BIVV, VSV and myself) had a difficult task ahead of them, that much was clear. Verbessem won by a nose and was allowed to receive the award this year. Some of the assets that convinced the jury were the complete equipment of the vehicles (including Active Brake Assist and Lane Guard System), the in-house training for drivers with a specially equipped truck (3 seats), the excellent accident statistics and the extensive driver's manual. The award ceremony in the presence of over 400 guests was once again an excellent opportunity to highlight the positive developments in the road transport sector by putting some of its most beautiful representatives in the spotlight. This 'upgrading' will continue in 2014 with an even grander edition of Best of TRANSPORT. Next year, Best of Transport and TLV (Transport and Logistics Flanders) will join forces in the context of the Trailer trade fair (Kortrijk, April 2014). The organisers have already prepared a special gala evening, something we are eagerly looking forward to in our next editions.