A touch of romance and plenty of Hollywood glamour set the tone for a night of pleasant surprises at the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence 2009.

A packed audience, including materials handling's leading figures, was in a party mood for the Valentine's Day celebration of achievement at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, and eager to see the coveted Archies handed out.

The ceremony was hosted by FLTA President Paul Nichol and Vice-Chairman Martyn Fletcher, who took the stage to warm applause following a swinging introduction from The Rat Pack's Back.

As ever, the evening's four major product Awards were decided by an open vote throughout the materials handling community.

Yale Europe Materials Handling won the Environment prize for its unusual MP16S low-noise pallet truck, while Hubtex UK collected the Archie for Ergonomics with its detachable picking platform. STILL Materials Handling's FM-X laser guided reach truck won the Safety vote, while Combilift picked up the Innovation award for its Combi-CB four-way counterbalance.

The evening's warmest cheers, however, were reserved for the announcement of individual winners. Richard Baxter of Crown took an Archie for his Services to the FLTA, while Brendon Sparks received the Services to the Fork Lift Industry award for his work at Nissan, BITA and CFTS.

In a fitting and emotional climax to the evening, Scottish forklift dealer Douglas Gillespie became only the ninth recipient of the FLTA's highest honour: the Lifetime Achievement award, while "Peggy" Sue Smith of Huntingdon's Genesis Forklift Trucks was a popular choice as Employee of the Year.

The judging panel was so impressed by the calibre of nominations for the Apprentice of the Year category that it honoured a runner-up, Adam Turner of United Forktucks (1992) Ltd, as well as a winner, David Cooke of C & D Fork Trucks.

Now in its second year, the hotly contested Safe Site Award was taken home by the City of London Corporation for its safe operations at London's New Spitalfields Market, while B&B Attachments was named Supplier of the Year.

Following the ceremony, love was in the air as wandering guitarists Andalus serenaded the dining guests and presented them with flowers.

The romance continued, as the The Rat Pack's Back returned to bring a touch of Amore, wooing the audience with some of the world's best known love songs.

Versatile seven-piece band Vice Versa delivered a highly polished performance, keeping the audience dancing until well after midnight, when – back by popular demand – Awards favourite Amanda brought the evening to a suitably intimate conclusion.

"Awards 2009 has been a resounding success," said FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison. "The many great achievements we have spotlighted tonight show how innovative and vibrant the materials handling sector can be.

"The Valentine's theme, in particular, has added a certain something. The room looks sumptuous, the entertainment has been first class, and there has been a wonderful atmosphere all night. A fantastic evening."