Some of the team at Europa Warehouse at Midlands Logistics Park, Corby recently had the opportunity to swap their daily duties and participate in a “dancing” forklift video in aid of safe lifting.
The Forklift Team
Two hand-picked individuals were selected from Corby to feature in the dance video which featured six drivers in total, performing an originally choreographed routine by Andrew Kay, Warehouse Operations Manager, which was also filmed in Corby in July.
Andrew and his team worked hard to create the dance which featured high-tech forklifts, normally used for transporting and carrying goods in the warehouse – ranging from wine and spirits to apparel.
Europa Warehouse hand selected by UKWA
The Europa Warehouse site was specially selected by Clare Bottle, Chief Executive at leading logistics trade body United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA). Clare visited the Corby facility, she recognised its impressive operations and skilled team and chose the location for the Global Lifting Awareness Day, GLAD, promotional video.
GLAD is a global worldwide campaign focused on celebrating the innovations and incredible work of affected industries – including anyone with an interest in lifting and working safely at height.
Andrew Kay, Warehouse Operations Manager, said:
“The project was a great experience; it was brilliant to watch the team’s enthusiasm, offering them a chance to get creative. I have never been part of something like this, on such a massive scale.”
Europa’s Corby Warehouse
Corby’s unique narrow aisles and 9-tier towering racks made the warehouse a perfect location, providing a variety of lifting equipment – including very narrow aisle (VNA) forklifts, for the video.
Corby team representatives
The Corby team were represented by Ewelina Brzezinska and Anthony Fahnbulleh in the GLAD video, plus support team including Sonal Patel, Connor Piper, Sally Watson.
Arron Delamare, Head of Operations at Europa Warehouse in Corby
“We were honoured to be specially chosen as the location for the UKWA video – a fantastic project to have taken part in, promoting one of our core values of working safely and responsibly”
Recent research findings
Research shows that 1,500 injuries are caused annually by forklifts and other industrial vehicles. These statistics show the importance of the video to promote the seriousness of lifting safely.
Anthony Fahnbulleh, a Reach Truck Driver, has worked at Europa in Corby for 2 years said:
“It was fascinating to be involved in such a great production – having the opportunity to use my skills in a new and exciting way. I think it’s great that individuals outside of the warehouse industry are able to see our level of skill.
“This is my first-time as part of anything like this, it felt like a great achievement. It was especially good that we got to work with the team from other Europa sites, who are not used to seeing our high-tech equipment, as it gave us a rare chance to work together and share experiences.
“My favourite part of the video was synchronising with the other drivers; this was a challenging element but looked really great in the finished video and showed our level of precision.”
Ewelina Brzezinska, VNA Driver at Corby added:
“I’m grateful that I was chosen as one of the drivers for this video. I have been driving VNA forklifts for 2 years at Europa, but this was the first time I have been part of anything like the GLAD video, so this really was an exciting opportunity for me.”
Europa’s Corby facility
Europa Warehouse in Corby opened in 2020, employs a team of 300 and is part of Europa Worldwide Group. Europa Warehouse also operates award-winning warehouse sites in Dartford and Birmingham. This £60m Corby facility is Europa’s largest site and provides services for blue chip and ecommerce clients.
Europa Worldwide Group
Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with three divisions, Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, and Europa Warehouse, and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the third time. The Group employs over 1,300 across the UK, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and had a turnover of £300m last year.
