Attended by more than 170 industry guests, this year’s Awards saw David Ewins from Cornwall-based Davanna Heating beat off stiff competition to pick up the title of Boiler Installer of the Year, with Stephen Owen of SC Owen in Reading receiving the award for Servicing and Commissioning Technician of the Year.
David Ewins who was also crowned Boiler Installer of the Year in 2007 and runner up in 2006, said: “Over the 20 years I have been running the business, I have always pushed for the highest professional standards and to be recognised for this by OFTEC means a lot. The award further strengthens the work that we do and will undoubtedly benefit the business going forward.”
Oil Tank Installer of the Year was won by Lee Stafford of LWL Heating in Brighton, while Daniel Pannell of Pembrokeshire Housing Association was named Trainee of the Year.
Daniel said: “Winning this award is massive. I didn’t know I’d been entered for it until my boss told me two weeks ago so it’s a real surprise and a confidence boost. I’m working towards becoming a fully qualified plumber and this will definitely help me along the way.”
Innovative Product of the Year was won by Irish firm Dunraven Systems for its OilPal web-enabled remote oil monitoring application.
For the first time since the Awards were launched in 2003, the categories included a Lifetime Achievement award which was presented to OFTEC founder Colin Sutherland MBE.
The remaining categories were won by:
Best Technical Support Worcester Bosch Group
Best Member Website Grant Engineering UK Ltd
Best Training Centre METAC Training
The Awards took place at Nailcote Hotel and Leisure Club near Coventry, as part of OFTEC’s new look Big Event which included a trade show, seminar programme and member mini conference.
Director general Jeremy Hawksley, added: “This year’s Awards proved bigger and better than ever before and the standard of entries reflects the abundance of talent we have in the industry.”
“Our industry undoubtedly faces challenges going forward but with the current competitive price of oil, which is predicted to remain low, and a revival in oil boiler sales, we remain optimistic about the future. OFTEC will continue its valuable work at all levels, from the government to the consumer, to safeguard and progress the oil heating industry.” www.oftec.co.uk