Countdown team winners for 2015

Countdown team winners for 2015

Store Manager, Fork Lift Driver, Truck Driver and Checkout Operator of the Year winners announced at awards ceremony
Countdown last night recognised stand-out members of its 18,000 person team at the annual Countdown Supplier of the Year awards, held in Auckland.

Among the titles awarded last night were Store Manager of the Year, Truck Driver of the Year, Checkout Operator of the Year and Fork Lift Driver of the Year.

The winners of each title are:

Store Manager of the Year – Shaun Wall of Countdown Stratford
Forklift Driver of the Year – Fraser Coulthard of Christchurch Distribution Centre
Checkout Operator of the Year – Marliena Kerapa of Countdown Bureta Park
Truck Driver of the Year – Burt Veerendaal of Linfox Palmerston North

Each of the winners were selected through either testing or through nomination.

For example, regional competitions were held across each of Countdown’s four distribution centres testing skill areas associated with safe and efficient forklift driving. Competitors were given a theory test, a test on their pre-operation safety inspections of equipment and then a final practical driving skills and ability test.

Forklift driver of the Year, Fraser Coulthard says the competition was hard work, but rewarding to take part in.

“This is my third time reaching the national finals, but my first time winning. I’ve been working really hard to make it to the top over the past year and winning is an awesome confirmation that the hard work has paid off.

“I really enjoy my work and love being out on the floor with the boys. Ultimately, I’m working towards becoming a manager, so this sort of recognition will really help me get there,” Mr Coulthard says.

Another big winner on the night was Countdown Stratford’s Shaun Wall who took out the title of Store Manager of the Year.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic about the recognition, the award and also to be able to represent Countdown Hawera and my area group. I’m accepting the award on behalf of the store team because without their hard work, sacrifice and support I wouldn't have been nominated,” Mr Wall says.

Countdown’s Acting Managing Director Pat McEntee says the awards give a great opportunity to sing about some of the unsung heroes within the business.

“Countdown is incredibly diverse with over 18,000 team members across our stores, distribution centres, meat plants and support office doing a range of different and important roles.

“I’m really proud of the fantastic team we have here and these awards are an important opportunity to recognise those people across our business doing great things for our customers every day,” Mr McEntee says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media