50 years of engineering expertise

The oldest survivor celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and even more unusually it is still in the same family ownership.

Sidetracker Engineering was started by Peter Dobson after working for the Production Engineering Research Association in the 1950s on projects to improve productivity within manufacturing industry. Having seen a need for more efficient materials handling equipment, particularly for long loads, he patented designs for a multi-directional transport system and in 1963 formed the company.

The first trucks were unpowered models with a multi-wheel design that allowed them to move sideways as well as forwards and backwards. The first powered truck – a battery-powered four-way model with a load capacity of 1.5 tonnes – was completed in 1969 and sold to Chesterfield Transport Department for its maintenance workshop.

In 1976 the company, now in a purpose-built factory, produced its first fully multi-directional model with the ability to rotate about its own axis – not just in four directions – which remains a key feature of Sidetrackers today.  Ten years later, with a BSc in Production Engineering, Peter Dobson’s son David joined the company and took over as managing director in 1998, with his father becoming chairman.

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Since 1976 the model range has expanded greatly. Reach trucks, which provide versatile handling capabilities for pallets and long loads within a standard aisle, are available with load capacities up to eight tonnes and masts up to ten metres high. These models are the narrowest of their type currently on the market.

Alongside the reach trucks Sidetracker has developed its range of multi-directional sideloaders in a variety of specifications from compact three-wheel models to four-wheel machines with an articulating chassis for operating on more difficult terrain. They are available with load capacities up to ten tonnes, lift heights up to 15 metres and aisle widths as little as 1500mm.

Despite the now extensive product range, some features have been retained – for example, the use of electro-hydraulics instead of electronics, since electronics can still be adversely affected by poor surfaces and rough treatment. Since many Sidetracker customers only have one machine, reliability has been one of the most important considerations for the company from the start. Hence also the inclusion of dual power systems, which enable a truck to operate successfully with only one functioning power unit, allowing the warehouse to continue operations while a repair is carried out. 

While the company has avoided innovation for its own sake, many technical advances have been developed and incorporated over the years. Three-wheeled machines are fitted with automatic wheel alignment, again provided by hydraulics. And LPG-powered trucks are now offered as an alternative to electric models.

Masts are manufactured by Sidetracker in single, duplex, triple or quadruple designs and in special configurations to meet customers’ requirements. A stability indicator shows the operator the effect of load weight and load centre in relation to the truck’s maximum safe capacity.

More recent developments include man-up order-pickers, compact multi-directional counterbalance lift trucks and heavy-duty platform trucks. With these models, as throughout the last 50 years, all manufacturing takes place in the UK and most components are also of UK origin. It is just one aspect of a successful strategy that has won Sidetracker a secure and continuing place in the UK materials handling sector.