In a glamorous ceremony in London, with over 600 guests in attendance, the winners of the 2015 European Suppply Chain Excellence Awards were revealed.

Taking the overall award was Waterstones, with its logistics partner UTL. The book company was praised for transforming its supply chain to strengthen its competitiveness in a market that has experienced tremendous flux in recent years; with the growth of online retailing and the advent of the ebook. Waterstones and UTL were also awarded in the Retail Supply Chain category.

The Individual Contribution Award was won by Birgitte Stalder-Olson, the head of logistics at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Birgitte played a key role in ensuring that humanitarian aid reached its destinations in some of the most inaccessible and dangerous locations in the world.

 

Winners by Category:

 

Overall Winner

Waterstones with UTL

Individual Contribution Award

Winner: Birgitte Stalder-Olsen

Hi Tech, Communications & Electronics

Winner: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH Co KG

Extreme Logistics

Winner: 84 Medical Supply Squadron, 9 Regiment RLC, British Army

Joint Highly Commended: 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Vanguard Enabling Group (HQ 104 Brigade)

Public & Third Sectors

Winner: Department for International Development with Crown Agents and International Procurement Agency (CAIPA)

Highly Commended: National Grid PLC

Automotive, Aerospace & Industrial

Winner: Suzuki GB PLC with Bespoke Distribution Aviation (BDA)

Retail and e-tail

Winner: Waterstones with UTL

Consumer Products

Winner: Philips Consumer Lifestyle with flex

Innovation in Supply Chain

Winner: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (FOX) with Cinram

Team of the Year

Winner: Firebox.com with arvato UK & Ireland

Training & Professional Development

Winner: NOVUS

Highly Commended: Whirlpool UK Appliances Ltd

Supply Chain Strategy & Design

Winner: Diageo PLC

Highly Commended: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH Co. KG

International operations

Winner: Department for International Development with Crown Agents and International Procurement Agency (CAIPA)

Sourcing & Procurement

Winner: Nottingham Trent University

Customer Service & Support

Winner: Telefónica UK with Redeem

Supply Chain Operations

Winner: National Grid PLC

Environmental Improvement

Winner: Spirit Pub Company (acquired by Greene King)

Logistics & Distribution

Winner: Waterstones with UTL

Warehouse Initiative

Winner: Dixons Carphone

SME of the Year

Winner: Scandinavian House with Proximity

Highly Commended: Firebox.com with arvato UK & Ireland

Technology

Winner: Booths with RELEX Solutions

3PL of the Year

Winner: UTL

Rising Star

Winner: Vincent Hall