Demolition's big night in Amsterdam - the World Demolition Awards

Friday 5 November saw the world demolition industry gather at the Hotel Okura, where the winners of the 2010 World Demolition Awards were announced.

Two demolition contractors in particular had a great deal to celebrate during and after the night, with both Despe and Erith Group scooping three awards apiece, with the former winning the top award for the Contract of the Year while the latter took away the award for Demolition Contractor of the Year.

Both companies shared the spotlight during the event when they were both awarded trophies in the Confined Space/Uban Demolition category, with the international judging panel being unable to separate their individual entries.

Despe's third award was the Demolition Safety Award, and Erith picked up the Industrial Demolition Award to complete its trio.

But the night was not just about Despe and Erith. Other contractors from around the world had reason to celebrate. Two US contractors were recognised by the judges, with Advanced Explosive Demolition picking up the Explosive Demolition Award and Cherry Demolition being awarded the 2010 Environmental & Recycling Award.

Two other UK contractors also picked up 'gongs' on the night, with Armac winning the Civils Demolition Award and Maylarch Environmental the Demolition Training Award.

D&Ri decided this year to make an Award that recognised the individual efforts of a leading figure who's contribution to the industry has been outstanding. As a result, Howard Button, chief executive of the NFDC, was awarded the 2010 D&Ri Achievement Award.

Well known to the industry around the world, Howard has been unflagging in his efforts to raise standards and ensure safety, and D&Ri believes he richly deserves this accolade.

In the manufacturers' categories, two companies each picked up two awards. Liebherr was awarded the Innovation Award for Custom Product, with the Innovation Award for Series Product going to Powerscreen. Both Liebherr and Powerscreen jointly shared the Service & Support Award.

As was the case last year, a number of entries were deemed by the judging panel to be of sufficient note as to deserve recognition in the form of Highly Commended certification. These were:

Cantillon (Contractor of the Year);

Despe (Industrial Demolition Award);

Erith Group (Demolition Training Award);

General Smontaggi (Company of the Year, Industrial Demolition Award and Confined Space/Urban Award);

Interior Removal Specialist (Environmental & Recycling Award);

Liebherr (Innovation Award for Series Product);

Lloyds Construction Services (Demolition Safety Award);

O'Rourke Wrecking (Demolition Training Award);

SG Loewendick (Confined Space/Urban Award).

The 2011 Demolition Summit, once again in conjunction with the European Demolition Association, will take place on November 4 2011, at a venue to be confirmed.

Full guidance on the submission process, including an outline of the detailed information required by the judges for each of the individual categories, will be available on www.demolitionsummit.com.