On August 23, the SBS Group held the "8th SBS Group Forklift Operator Contest" at the Toyota L&F Customers Center Tokyo in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture.
With the aim of improving the driving skills and safety awareness of operators, selected drivers from group companies across the country gathered to compete in fierce battles.
<Contest group photo>
The participants consisted of 20 individuals, 10 counterbalanced forklift operators and 10 reach truck operators, selected from various group companies across the country.
The competition uses a 1.5-ton battery-powered forklift and consists of three events: driving operation, vehicle inspection, and written test.
<Scenes from the competition>
The judging criteria emphasized not only operational skills but also safety awareness and the precision of basic movements. The athletes showcased the results of their daily training and received warm support from those involved.
As a result, Hirokazu Nishida (SBS Logister Nasu Sales Office) won first place in the counter division.
<Nishida, the winner of the counter-attack category (second from the left)>
In the reach truck category, Miwa Akizuki (SBS Flecknet Oita Sales Office) became the first woman to win the competition. This is a first in the history of driver contests and other competitions as well.
<Akizuki, the winner of the Reach division (second from the left)>
Akizuki expressed his delight, saying, "Through this competition, I was able to learn more about forklifts, and I would like to put that knowledge to good use in the future."
