Nominees invited for 'Lodar Innovation Award' 2019

From the beginning, over 35 years ago, the focus of the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR) has been to improve safety within the recovery industry by championing the need for structured, uniform and measureable training.

Although the majority of the modules created have been instigated by the Institute some came as direct requests from the industry – following an incident or an idea of how a procedure could be improved or enhanced. To recognise and reward new ideas and methods of working the IVR is introducing the ‘Lodar Innovation Award’. 

The ‘Lodar Innovation Award’, which will be presented at the AGM Dinner in March, is very much aligned with the fundamental values of the IVR and will recognise improvement, modernisation and originality of working procedures and practice. It will be presented to an individual, company or organisation that can show;

·         A new and innovative idea or the creation of a new device/method of working

·         Development and/or enhancement of current methods/teachings/working practice

The priority for both categories must be that the innovation assists and improves safety for those working within the UK recovery industry and nominees are not required to be a member of the IVR as this is an industry-wide award.

Richard Halford, brand director at Lodar explained;

‘Lodar has been at the forefront when it comes to innovation in its field. When the opportunity to sponsor this award arose it was an easy decision. Often innovation can be greeted with scepticism and we only have to look at the past for examples. Twenty five years ago electric winches were operated by hard wired controls and hydraulic winches controlled by levers but the necessity to innovate and improve methods of working showed radio was the future. Like many new ideas some people embraced the technology quickly while others took a little longer to accept change. However as we know, the persistence of a few radio control manufacturers slowly convinced the market to embrace this concept. It was the need for safer working methods that drove that innovation forward.’

Names and details of nominees plus a short overview of why they should be considered for the award should be emailed to mail@theivrgroup.com no later than 31 January 2019. Judging will be carried out jointly by representatives of Lodar and the IVR, and as previously confirmed the award being presented at the AGM Dinner on 2 March 2019.

Please note - This award is for initiatives already in place, not for potential ideas yet to be proven.