Throughout lockdown earlier this year, Tuffnells was tasked with delivering manufacturing parts for vital pieces of life-support ventilators that were, and still are, needed to treat and save the lives of those in a critical condition from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Their corporate client was noted as saying: “Your delivery network is helping to distribute our materials for the manufacture of these life-supporting ventilators – you are part of the worldwide action in fighting this pandemic.”

For this, the company won the 2020 Corporate National Courier Award for Covid Contribution.

In addition, two members of the Tuffnells team won Courier Spirit Awards; Steve Taylor was recognised by a customer for going the extra mile, by noticing the significance of their issue during COVID. While making a collection from a customer, he overheard a conversation about issues and costs associated with next-day delivery of parts for ventilators, so offered to deliver them on his way back to the depot. Furthermore, Dave McGregor went into the depot on his day off (Easter Friday) to help a customer access vital PPE required for a COVID ward, that was desperately needed at a hospital within the region.

Earlier in the ceremony, Tuffnells Executive Chairman and CEO Michael Holt was recognised by his industry peers, receiving the IoC’s highest accolade, the Services to Industry Award. This award is reserved only for those who have made lasting and positive change in the industry as a whole and recognises Michael’s long career and leadership in the parcels industry.

Those attending the virtual awards ceremony heard that Michael had reached out to former colleagues via LinkedIn during lockdown earlier this year to see if he could help them in any way, from assisting them to connect with other people and companies, to supporting a recommendation or endorsement.

Michael Holt, Executive Chairman and CEO of Tuffnells, commented:

“The Services to Industry award is truly an honour and I am delighted that Tuffnells has won three National Courier Awards, all as a result of our fantastic team doing everything possible to help deliver vital supplies during a tricky year.”