April 2021 marks the 40th Anniversary of Thorworld Industries, the UK-based 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 changing industry developments and advancements.
We talk to John Meale, Managing Director of Thorworld Industries, about the history of the company and its plans for the future:
How did Thorworld begin?
In the early-1980s, a family friend in Canada asked me for advice on setting up a UK arm of his Canadian dockplates and dockboards business. Having managed manufacturing divisions of various companies during my early career, I could see the company’s potential. I considered the options, visited the Canadian operation, had multiple discussions with my wife – Geraldine, and decided to take on a 50 percent partnership in launching Thorweld Industries, as it was then called, in the UK.
We unveiled the new company at the ‘International Materials Handling Exhibition’ at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London in 1981.
At the time, Geraldine and I were the only employees and I did everything from the assembly of products and their distribution, to the marketing, administration and reception duties. We started in a 1,000sq ft unit on an industrial business park in Chesterfield. Today, we trade from the same business park within larger premises.
How did the company develop into the entity it is now?
In 1985, I identified a gap in the market and expanded our product range. As my Canadian partner did not have the same need, I bought the UK arm of the business outright, changed the company name to Thorworld Industries Ltd., and began the next phase of my journey.
We now operate from a 17,000sq foot manufacturing and office unit with 20,000sq feet of outside storage space. Our comprehensive product offering ranges from dock levellers, dock seals, and alignment curbs to lightweight platforms, mobile ramps, traffic lights and dock bumpers. We have also built a reputation for excellence in the design and creation of bespoke loading solutions and ramps for unique applications.
What do you credit the longevity and success of Thorworld to?
I’d say an ability to adapt and respond to changes within the industry. We ensure we are aware of any new developments within the materials handling, logistics and warehousing sectors, and stay one step ahead with solutions for customers to keep pace – I discovered early on that one way to do this was to join the relevant trade organisations.
In 1983, I joined ALEM, the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment, becoming president several times in the subsequent years. Being a member of ALEM also allowed Thorworld to join the British Materials Handling Federation (BMHF), again an organisation of which I have been president.
During my time as president of the BMHF, I attended the European Federation of Materials Handling (FEM) as a board member representing the UK. In 2010 I was elected president of the FEM, which made Thorworld a major participator in the European materials handling industry and I remained president of the FEM Product Group Elevating Equipment until January this year.
Being an integral part of these European organisations has been vital to ensuring Thorworld stays at the forefront of the industry with an in-depth knowledge of the sector.
I understand you also attribute much of the company’s success to the team you’ve developed?
Definitely. Our company ethos is to nurture staff and help them achieve their aims through relevant training and continued support.
Our longest serving member of staff is Elizabeth Brown, who joined us over 36 years ago to control all ramp sales and hires. She still performs that role today and we are eternally grateful for all her hard work. Steven Revill, our Works Manager, joined us 22 years ago as a Fabricator Welder Trainee apprentice. He became Works Manager in 2020 following the retirement of our long-serving Manager Roger Smith, further demonstrating our commitment to staff development.
Relationships are key to our development methodology, and around 25 years ago I began an association with Loughborough University, agreeing to take on one Engineering Graduate Trainee each year. Today, two of those graduates are still working for Thorworld – Mark James, Director of Administration, Quality & Safety, and Ian Langan, Technical & Engineering Director – both are now Directors and Shareholders. Needless to say, I am extremely proud of our entire, dedicated team.
How has Thorworld managed the challenges of the past year and what is your view for the future?
We are constantly looking to the future, and have once again demonstrated we can adapt to any circumstance with the creation of Thorworld Materials Handling Ltd; a company developed to meet the new requirements implemented by Brexit and enable us to continue meeting the needs of our many customers in mainland Europe.
It has been a tumultuous year; with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, added to the realisation of Brexit, which combined have led to uncertainty for many industries. We have been fortunate that the sectors we serve have continued operating, providing a frontline service to many. However, our ability to continue throughout these months has been due to the commitment of our amazing staff. I am confident that because of this, Thorworld Industries will continue to be just as successful for a further 40 years.
For information about Thorworld Industries and its range of services and products, visit www.thorworld.co.uk or call 01246 260 981.
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