2021 marks the 40th Anniversary of Thorworld Industries, the leading designer and manufacturer of materials handling solutions. This significant milestone has been credited to the hard work and dedication of the Thorworld team, together with a willingness to adapt to new developments and advances in the industry.
The company began in the early 1980s when founder and managing director John Meale partnered a UK arm of a friend’s Canadian dockplates and dockboards business.
“Thorweld Industries” – as the UK branch of the company was originally known – was unveiled at the International Materials Handling Exhibition at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London in 1981 and Mr Meale hasn’t looked back since.
Today as a much larger entity, Thorworld operates from a 17,000ftÇ manufacturing and office unit with 20,000ftÇ of outside storage space in Chesterfield. The company offers a comprehensive product offering ranging from dock levellers, dock seals, and alignment curbs to lightweight platforms, mobile ramps, traffic lights and dock bumpers. It has built a reputation for excellence in designing and manufacturing bespoke loading solutions and ramps for unique applications.
However, a key element of the company’s success has been the prominent federation positions Mr Meale has held over the course of his career.
In 1983, he joined ALEM, the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment, becoming president several times in the subsequent years. Being a member of ALEM allowed Thorworld to join the British Materials Handling Federation (BMHF), again an organisation within which John has held presidential positions.
This influence has enabled Thorworld to stay at the forefront of the industry and continue to harness its in-depth knowledge of the sector.
Throughout Covid-19, the Thorworld team has supported sectors that have continued operating a frontline service to many, supplying loading equipment using socially distanced means and often at short notice. The realisation of Brexit has led Thorworld to look to the future, and once again demonstrate its ability to adapt to any circumstances with the recent launch of Thorworld Materials Handling – a specific division capable of meeting new requirements implemented by Brexit regulations.
From commencing that early Canadian partnership, to the company becoming a leading authority in materials handling solutions and a prominent FEM influence, Thorworld is a company equipped to deal with the multitude of challenges the modern logistics sector affords for a further 40 years.
t: 01246 260981 | thorworld.co.uk