CAM Fork Lift Trucks celebrate 21 years of success

July 1st 1994, Mac Mason opens up the gates at Sorby Street in Sheffield and CAM Fork Lift Trucks is born. Fast forward 21 years and CAM have established themselves as Yorkshire’s complete materials handling partner. The company has progressed considerably since that day in 1994, now employing over 30 people across two sites. Still undoubtedly synonymous with forklifts, however their level of expertise has been extended further, to one where the company can now offer a whole host of services ranging from operator training to racking as well as mezzanine floors and floor care.

Through building relationships with global companies such as Nissan, TCM, Logitrans & Hako, CAM have been able to deliver an exceptional service to the Yorkshire region year on year.

As the authorised TCM dealer for the Yorkshire region CAM offer an extensive range of new materials handling equipment. This includes LPG and Diesel forklifts from 1.5 to 10.0 tonnes capacity and three and four-wheel electric models from 1.25 to 3.0 tonnes. Their range is further enhanced by the innovative articulated and side loader trucks by Combilift, to offer their clients a solution to any problem.

Mac in the early years started with nothing. He had no car so had to travel to sales appointments on the bus or borrowing his wife Anne and daughter’s car when they weren’t busy. He also used his late friend Brian’s van.

His first premises were in Sorby Street; Brian introduced him to the landlord. Mac told him his requirements for the premises and a unit on Sorby Street was mentioned as a suitable business venture.

As a determined business man, Mac was not satisfied with the first rent valuation so ‘did a deal’. They shook hands and the following Monday moved into Sorby Street.

CAM employed 3 engineers and outgrew Sorby Street quickly. Mac heard of premises that were to become available and moved to Carlisle Street in 1997, a site 3 times bigger than the one they had started in, it was on one of Sheffield’s main arterial roads. The engineers found using all of the space available an issue at first but soon got used to utilising the site to its potential.

As the business was expanding CAM was on the lookout for even bigger premises which incorporated offices. The search was completed in 2010, moving to Clay Street, Attercliffe, to cope with the demands of customers and the better road links to widen the area that the company covered.

Mac sold his first new Nissan truck in August 1994 to a Fireplace company in Holbrook, Sheffield.

He built an affinity with Nissan products; it’s a great name and very reliable! Mac always tries to be honest with the customers and gain their trust which has always been CAM’s ethos.

‘Too many people in this industry promise the earth and don’t deliver’. A memorable moment in the history of CAM is the sale of a Forklift truck to a local company. A representative of the company came to CAM and was looking around the yard, Mac went over, a price was agreed and in less than a minute the truck was sold.

Mac had a loyal customer base from his previous employer. Kevin Tyree from another local company continued dealing with Mac when CAM was launched; he was the first customer of the company and is still a valued client to this day, having had around 10 trucks on contract hire over the years, whilst continuing a social friendship with Mac.

In 2005 CAM were increasing in size and Mac looked at introducing new directors to the company. Paul Freeman sold Nissan products and was assigned to CAM’s account as the Nissan distributor for Yorkshire. Paul knew of CAM’s ethos and how the company worked. They both came to an agreement and Paul joined the company in September as a director. Paul together with his wife Joy introduced the racking side (CAM Handling Solutions) to the business.

CAM Handling Solutions, the new and used pallet racking division launched in 2005 illustrates perfectly just how far the company has come from the ‘one man band’ back in 1994. Offering tailor made storage solutions on a nationwide scale, they ensure that you not only benefit from the most effective use of space but that your premises stay safe and hazard free.

In 2012 Nissan Forklift, TCM Forklift & Atlet joined forces to become UniCarriers Corporation. Up until now, all equipment was branded as Nissan, with some products using the Atlet name. However, it was recently announced that TCM had become the face of UniCarriers, taking over from Nissan & Atlet to be at the forefront of the organisation. As a result, CAM will no longer be known as the approved Nissan Dealer for the Yorkshire region and now have become Yorkshire’s approved TCM Dealership.

All equipment remains with the exact same specifications as before, the only noticeable difference being the image. Upon purchasing new TCM equipment you will have the choice of either ‘Classic Yellow’ or ‘Performance Silver’.

Since 1st April 2015 CAM have been taking orders for the TCM branded equipment.

It has been an eventful 21 years with the company moving premises, employees taking on different roles to fulfil all of their customers’ needs and requests. CAM has enjoyed the challenges that have been set and look forward to introducing themselves to new customers as well as looking after their loyal customer base.

Here’s to another 21 years.

Tel: 0114 243 3332

Email: sales@camforklifts.co.uk

www.camforklifts.co.uk