Adam Hayes and Kristian Sherratt, forklift operators from builders merchant Travis Perkins, are among the 12 finalists in this year's Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) Forklift Operator of the Year competition.

There are usually 10 operators in the final but the standard was so high among the 40 operators at the four-day eliminating event held during the International Materials Handling Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, in September, that it was decided to allow a dozen through to the final this time.

The two Travis Perkins drivers battled it out against forklift operators from across the UK, USA and India to win their places in the finals, which were going to be held early this year but, owing to the high level of interest in the event, have now been put back to June. They will be held on 22 June at the RTITB centre in Telford, Shropshire.

Qualifying for a place in the final involved tests including a theory assessment and practical challenges. The practical challenges included taking an open case of 4,000 balls out of a high level rack with a rotator attachment. They then had to tip all the balls into a new case. Adam and Kris were the only two competitors who achieved this without losing any of the balls.

Adam said: "Qualifying is an amazing achievement in its own right, but I’m already looking forward to being put through my paces later this year and giving it my all in the Grand Final. The support from colleagues has been incredible and I’d like to thank everyone involved."

Kris, who has been driving forklifts for more than 10 years, said: "I was ecstatic to hear that I had made it through to the finals, this being the first competition I have entered where I’ve been driving the trucks. I just want to do all the Travis Perkins PLC team proud in the finals.”

Mike Seddon, instructor and trainer at Travis Perkins, said: "The competition celebrates the skills, safety and professionalism of forklift operators globally and as a business that puts safety first we are very proud that Adam and Kris were able to demonstrate this in practice. They both impressed the judges with their knowledge and outstanding manoeuvring skills. We wish them the best of luck in the rest of the competition."