It was a clean sweep for PEME at Maintec 2013, as personnel from the engineering company won the top slots at the inaugural Maintec Maintenance Professional Awards.

PEME’s Tom Cosgrove was awarded Maintenance Apprentice of the Year, and the company’s managing director, Ashley Maile, was announced Maintenance Professional of the Year.

The new awards, which are run in conjunction with EMS magazine, have been created to recognise and reward those who through the maintenance process have delivered real commercial benefits to their organisation. These benefits could be in the form of improvements in performance, such as greater output or reduced downtime, or financial gains such as energy savings.

The judges, Dr Steve Lacey from Schaeffler UK ltd, Mike Brook from Eriks and Paul Sacker from Crimson Industrial Vision, applauded Tom Cosgrove for his commitment and ability, despite his young age.  Tom has been described by colleagues as an exceptional 22 year old mechanical technician experienced in a range of industrial manufacturing environments with a proven ability to deliver maintenance-related tasks.

The judges said “Tom is an excellent role model for any young person considering a career in engineering and specifically within the maintenance field.”

Ashley Maile was voted Maintenance Professional of the Year because under his leadership,  PEME has made a significant investment in a maintenance initiative which is delivering a greatly improved Plant Maintenance performance for clients.  PEME provides maintenance services and engineering asset management to companies in a number of industries. It was Maile’s emphasis on working with clients and delivering a tailored solution for them which impressed the judges.

As he presented trophies to the winners, Jake Morrison, Maintec event manager said:

“It is wonderful to be able to applaud maintenance professionals as they are too often the unsung heroes of industry. The way an organisation manages its maintenance process can mean the difference between commercial success and failure.  So it is right to recognise and encourage both the young talent entering the profession plus those leaders who are encouraging their organisations to achieve extraordinary things.”

The Maintec  Maintenance Professional Awards are an annual event, with the winners announced at the show.   Maintec 2014 will take place at the NEC in Birmingham on 11 -13 March 2014.