SPP Pumps have done it once again at the Pump Industry Awards 2021

The well-known pump event of the year has been and gone and the team at SPP Pumps are still chatting about their wonderful Gala Dinner at the 20th Anniversary 2021 Pump Industry Awards (PIA) at Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick. A super evening was had by all with many renowned pump manufacturers in attendance enjoying the ambience and successes through 2020/2021. There is no denying that the last eighteen months have been somewhat a trying time for many industries yet the pump industry came together once again and supported one another, and this was demonstrated at the biggest pump awards of the year.

PIA Awards Gala Dinner 2021 - SPP Pumps Team Table

Established in 2000, the PIA Awards act as a platform to acknowledge excellence in the industry and is hosted in association with the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA). This year, we were proud to sponsor The PIA Awards once again and specifically sponsor the category Environmental Contribution of the Year Award; showing the significant contribution to environmental issues such as energy savings, emissions control and noise reduction or life cycle costs. We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate winners, Wilo UK on their hard work with the River Severn Water Management Scheme.

“SPP Pumps Ltd is proud to be a long-standing member of the BPMA and appreciates the support given to the U.K. pump industry” said Bob Tichband, CEO of SPP Pumps”

Our Dedication and Commitment Paying Off 

This year the PIA was a little more special for us than usual. As a leading centrifugal pump manufacturer, we were shortlisted as finalists for both the Manufacturer of the Year Award and the Contribution to Skills & Training Award. The Manufacturer of the Year award is primarily a recognition from both contractors and customers for their success in areas such as technical product expertise, tailor-made services, on-time delivery and thorough after-sales service. Whereas, the Contribution to Skills & Training is a specific award that is given to a company that can demonstrate a dependable contribution to the delivery of professional training and skills development within the pump industry.

Taking this into account, both awards are prestigious and ones we were most appreciative to be shortlisted for. With our continued hard work and commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning and development over the years, we were over the moon when we heard our name called out as winners demonstrating our partnership with The Innovation Lab as STEM Ambassadors. We were truly delighted with this honourable achievement and it recognises our team’s sheer hard work over the last two years.

A snippet from one of the STEM Ambassadors:

“SPP are committed to lifelong learning, investing in all levels of STEM, from Primary education to PHd. Working in partnership with The Innovation Lab, SPP opened the first Innovation Lab in the county, providing STEM and Digital Workshops for primary schools, including sponsoring transport to ensure accessibility for all. SPP Stem ambassadors have delivered pump related workshops and provided access to 3D printers and Virtual Reality to inspire young people into the field of Engineering”.

As mentioned above, we are proud to say that we opened the first Innovation Lab in the county of Gloucestershire providing STEM learning and digital workshops to help inspire, engage and up-skill people of all ages to have fun as well as build confidence through virtual reality in the field of engineering.

Laura Hurcombe, Operations Manager for SPP Pumps, said: “We are so pleased to have received national recognition for the workshop programme in collaboration with the lab - our STEM ambassadors have all learned new skills, motivation and inspiration as a result of the partnership. Sadly, most young people in our community believe that they need to leave the area in order to have a successful career and future, so it’s been fantastic to be able to showcase who we are and what we do to the engineers of the future.”

Our award demonstrates that our hard work is providing solutions to the industry where it matters most and is considered to be part of a widespread learning solution where people can decide which career path they wish to take as they continue their learning journey.

Contribution to Skills and Training Winner - Broadcaster and TV Presenter, Philippa Forrester presented the 
award to Laura Hurcombe, Operations Manager and Debbie Harris, Innovation Lab Manager - Brand Development & Communications.

We also received fantastic feedback from the Innovation Lab organisers themselves which makes it all worthwhile:

Jane Everiss, Head of Library and Registration Services, said: “Our partnerships and community networks are integral to Gloucestershire Libraries and their labs – this fantastic achievement really highlights the importance and value of forming and maintaining such strong partnerships.”

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries, said: “It is so important to teach children the skills, knowledge and experience they need to be successful in future careers. We are really grateful to SPP Pumps for supporting this initiative – showcasing local opportunities and enabling us to reach even more young people in the Forest of Dean.”

Our CEO Bob Tichband had some proud words to say about the gala event:

“We are pleased to sponsor the Environmental Contribution of the Year award as this is closely aligned with our own core values regarding sustainability and the environment. This year’s winner was worthy of the prize and we offer our congratulations to Wilo UK / Environment Agency: River Severn Water Management Scheme. SPP were also honoured to be a finalist in the Manufacturer of the Year category and also to be the first winner of the prestigious Contribution to Training prize in association with the Innovation Lab. The awards ceremony was eagerly anticipated and didn’t disappoint. A great evening was had by all and we look forward to next year’s event.” All the team at SPP are looking forward to next year’s Gala.”

We look forward to how 2022 transpires and what it brings and continue to create market-leading solutions for the varying environments we work in. For more information on our award or any of the above, please contact our Marketing Manager Kim Gardner on 01189323123