U.K.-based aerial specialist Lavendon Access Services was named “Tool, Equipment and Plant Hire Company of the Year” and also won the “Effective Health and Safety Management” award at the Hire Awards of Excellence 2010, in an award ceremony last week at The Landmark Hotel in London.

The Hire Company of the Year award for companies with more than five outlets was open to any company that demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism within the tool, equipment and plant sector. The judges’ criteria for the health and safety award included proof of improved health, safety and wellbeing of its workforce and customers and proof of recent innovation in products and services.

“This is excellent news for us as a company,” said Andy Wright, chief executive of Lavendon Access Services.

Graham Arundell, managing director of HAE said Lavendon “impressed the judges with the quality and commitment they demonstrated towards improving the customer experience and developed their staff through their TechX program.”

Lavendon is based in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, U.K.