About Us

From forklifts and storage systems to construction equipment and aftercare, we provide the equipment and support that will help give your operation a competitive edge.

history of Locators

Locators History Timeline

1985

Founded Locators

Founded by Brian Cowles, Locators secured an exclusive distributorship with Toyota and first settled in premises near Bournemouth.

1986

First Major Toyota Sale

Locators secured a principal order with Bacardi Martini in Southampton, helping the company grow through its partnership with Toyota.

1995

Sold First Articulated Truck

Locators became one of the first suppliers of articulated forklift trucks in the UK, marking a major milestone for the business.

1996

Opened Reading Branch

Locators secured additional Toyota territory and opened its Reading branch to cover the M4 corridor and West London.

1996

Launched Storage Department

The company launched its storage and racking division to offer customers a single-source turnkey solution.

2000

Moved Into Ferndown Premises

Following continued growth, Locators moved into its purpose-built facility in Ferndown Industrial Estate.

2001

Sold First Combilift

Locators joined up with Combilift and sold its first four-way machines for handling long loads.

2004

CFTS Accreditation

Locators became accredited and began offering independent CFTS inspections for customers.

2007

Became Still Distributor

After Toyota changed its UK route to market, Locators became a Still distributor.

2008

Became Manitou Distributor

Locators became an exclusive distributor of construction equipment for Manitou UK.

2010

Sold First Aisle Master

Locators began supplying the Aisle Master articulating forklift, another Combilift-manufactured product.

2010

Started SafePower Battery Care

Locators launched its battery topping service, which now supports more than 1000 customer batteries.

2015

ISO 9001 14001 18001

As part of its continuous improvement programme, Locators became accredited ISO holders.

2018

Re Joined the Toyota Network

Locators returned to the Toyota Materials Handling UK distributor network, covering central Southern England.

Locators' Green initiative

So far, we have generated over 350,000 kWh of clean, renewable energy.

installing workshop & office destractification fans

implementing energy efficient light sensors

moved to a 100% renewable electricity supply contract

why us?

Trucks in the field

Mobile engineers

Insured

Happy customers

iso accreditations

MEET THE Locators TEAM

Nick Hitchcock

Sales Director

Started as an Area Sales Manager in 1998 before becoming Sales Manager in 2010 and then Sales Director in 2016

Keith Stewart

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Started as an Area Sales Manager in 1990 before becoming Sales Director and then taking the helm as Managing Director in 2013.

Tony Stevens

commercial DIRECTOR

Started as Financial Controller in 1989 before becoming Finance Director in 1993 and then Commercial Director in 1999.

Gemma Williams

Head of Operations

Gemma joined Locators in 2025, she manages our office-based Customer teams as well as the workshop and field Engineering teams.

Philip Rushton ACMA, CGMA

Finance Manager

Phil joined Locators in 2019 in the finance department and became the Finance team manager in 2025.

Brian Cowles

FOUNDER & LIFE PRESIDENT

Founded Locators in 1985 and secured a distributorship with Toyota Materials Handling Equipment, becoming life president in 2024.

Locators FAQs

What services does Locators offer?

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Locators handle every aspect of material handling and storage; we give our customers a single, trusted source — from equipment sales, servicing and hire to full-scale warehouse outfitting. Whether you need a forklift and racking system or advanced safety and automation systems, we deliver everything under one roof. By delivering a comprehensive service, we save you time, reduce project complexity and ensure seamless integration — so you can stay focused on what matters most: running your business.

What industries does Locators serve?

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Locators supports a diverse range of industries, including warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, retail, construction, agriculture, and more, providing tailored material handling solutions to meet each sector's unique requirements.

Do you operate nationwide?

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Yes, Locators operates nationwide, offering comprehensive sales, servicing, and hire solutions to businesses throughout the UK, ensuring reliable and timely support wherever you're located.

Do you offer equipment maintenance?

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Absolutely. Locators provides complete equipment maintenance and servicing solutions. Our team of highly skilled engineers ensures your material handling equipment stays operational, efficient, and compliant with safety standards, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Explore Our Latest Projects

For over 35 years, we've worked with companies that cover everything from leisure to distribution and manufacturing.

Dexam International

Jun 5, 2026

Working closely with the Dexam Ops team, Locators specified a combined solution designed to lift warehouse safety, optimise aisle utilisation and streamline product movement across the facility. The brief called for a flexible articulated truck to work the racking and a compact counterbalance for loading bays and general yard duties.

ExxonMobil

May 8, 2026

ExxonMobil required a high-competency racking installation at their Fawley site, delivered to strict safety standards within a high-risk working environment. Locators designed, supplied and installed a gravity-fed FIFO roller bed pallet racking block, additional pallet racking and A-Safe safety barrier systems. The completed solution improves pallet flow, storage efficiency and

Private Estate Redevelopment

May 1, 2026

Locators supplied a specialist heavy-duty telescopic handler to support the unloading of imported trees for the redevelopment of a private estate. With large, high-value loads to handle, the project called for a machine with the lifting power, reach and stability to work safely and efficiently on site. The Manitou MHT

Top-Op Foods

Apr 8, 2026

Top-Op Foods in Dunstable have worked with Locators for over 20 years. With the business growing and a new unit recently taken on, they needed to refresh parts of their fleet and fit out the new space. Locators supplied a fresh package of Toyota trucks alongside racking for the new

Penton Ltd

Feb 8, 2026

Penton UK, an manufacturer of voice alarm and background music systems, were scaling up operations and needed an MHE partner they could rely on. After a full on-site demonstration with Combilift, Locators replaced their existing reach truck with an Aisle Master delivering greater efficiency, improved operator safety and smoother handling

Transform Arboriculture Ltd

Dec 17, 2025

Transform Arboriculture Ltd required a safer, faster and more efficient way to dismantle and process mature trees across a challenging site. Traditional climbing and chainsaw work carried significant risks, especially when working at height or near property. They needed a mechanised solution that would increase safety, reduce manual labour, and

UK Roofing and Plastic Supplies

Dec 16, 2025

The customer already uses an electric Aisle Master daily, but wanted a refurbished Toyota gas counterbalance forklift to support site handling in their yard.

Keysight Technologies

Sep 5, 2025 | Uncategorised

Keysight Technologies had been relying on a 1.5t 3-wheel capacity forklift for daily operations. While the compact design suited their tight working area, growth in their business meant heavier loads were becoming more frequent. Each time heavier materials arrived, the team had to hire a larger capacity forklift on a

Jewellery Company

Aug 20, 2025

Locators recently completed a compact but high-impact warehouse upgrade for The Jewellery Channel in Southall, West London. The brief was straightforward and familiar to many growing businesses. The customer needed more pallet spaces inside an already congested warehouse and they needed it on a tight budget. There was no need

Rug Doctor

Aug 12, 2025

By upgrading to modern electric and efficient equipment, Rug Doctor is now better positioned to handle their operational demands while reducing their environmental footprint. The move aligns perfectly with their international strategy for innovation and sustainability.

Aspen Pumps

Jul 17, 2025

Aspen Pumps originally operated a 2T electric Linde fork truck, but it was building up large repair bills prompting the move to a newer, more dependable truck.

Noble Commercial Truck Services

May 16, 2025

In the past, the Noble used a truck that struggled efficiently handling commercial truck parts and engines, resulting in operational difficulties.

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