About Us
The South’s leading material handling & storage system company
LOCATORS CAN GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A COMPETITIVE EDGE
Today at Locators
Locators are the South’s leading fully integrated material handling and storage system company. Staffed by 75 dedicated team members, including more than 20 mobile field engineers, we work with some of the largest companies in our area as well as many small ones too. Thanks to strong succession planning, Locators will be around for many years to come. So, if you would like a partner with the resources and capability to help your business grow or become more efficient, please contact us today. You can be assured of expert impartial advice and high-quality service.
LOCATORS HISTORY
Founded in 1985 by Brian Cowles, Locators secured an exclusive distributorship with Toyota. It first settled in premises near Bournemouth. Locators’ first large order came soon after with Bacardi Martini in Southampton. The company quickly grew in partnership with Toyota, a relationship that would last decades. Locators took a bold step in becoming one of the first-ever suppliers of articulated forklift trucks and also Combilifts in the UK. Shortly after this Locators Storage Systems was formed to work alongside our materials handling team. In 2000 Locators moved into purpose-built facilities in Ferndown Industrial Estate. The final key step was becoming an exclusive Distributor with Manitou construction equipment.
MEET THE TEAM
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Brian Cowles
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN
Founded Locators in 1985 and secured an exclusive distributorship with Toyota Materials Handling Equipment, Salesman and Managing Director until becoming group chairman in 2014.
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
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Started as Financial Controller in 1989 before becoming Finance Director in 1993 and then Commercial Director in 1999.
Nick Hitchcock
SALES DIRECTOR
Started as an Area Sales Manager in 1998 working from the Reading office before becoming Sales Manager in 2010 and then Sales Director in 2016.
Allen Sturt
GROUP ENGINEERING MANAGER
Joined as Group Engineering Manager in 2019 with a wealth of experience in the British Army, having served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Caroline Atherton
CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER
Started as Credit Controller in 1997, before managing order processing and hire and then becoming Customer Support Manager in 2007.
Allan Whitehead
Joined as Assistant Accountant in 1996, becoming Group Accountant in 2000 and Company Secretary in 2003.
The locators Green initiative
implementing energy efficient light sensors
Installing workshop & office destratification fans
Moved to a 100% renewable electricity supply contract
THE LOCATORS TIMELINE
Watch the locators intro video
Founded in 1985 by Brian Cowles, Locators secured a distribution deal with Toyota. Soon after, we claimed our first major deal with Bacardi Martini in Southampton. Since then, the company has bloomed in partnership with Toyota. Due to significant growth, we widened our reach and in 1996, established a branch in Reading. This gave us greater coverage of the M4 corridor and West London. Our storage systems division works to support our existing materials handling customers across the South alongside seeking new projects.
