Managing Director John Meale steps down from loading industry trade associations
Thorworld Industries’ founder and managing director, John Meale, has decided to step down from his many key positions within the loading and onloading industry’s associations, believing that now is the time to pass on the baton to others.
At Thorworld, John has spearheaded a revolution in the development of loading bay equipment with an emphasis on efficient, effective and safe products – which continues to this day with our range of solutions.
Upon founding Thorworld in 1981, John realised the importance of being active within the industry’s trade associations. By allowing companies of similar mindsets to discuss industry-wide issues, they could come together for a common goal – for example, improvements to product safety, guidance documents to help users, changes to product standards, interpretation and understanding of legislation, or even awareness of planned changes to legislation.
In the last 42 years, John has held many key roles within these associations, including president, and Executive Committee member of the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM); president and director of the British Materials Handling Federation (BMHF); president of the European Materials Handling Federation (FEM) 2010-2012; member of the FEM Board 2005-2020; and president of the Elevating Equipment Product Group within FEM.
John commented on his involvement with these institutions:
“Over the past 42 years Thorworld Industries has benefitted significantly from our involvement and participation in the federations and associations which represent the materials handling industry, not only in the U.K. but also mainland Europe and beyond.
“Through the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment (ALEM) and the British Materials Handling Federation (BMHF) Thorworld has benefitted from the advice and guidance received over the years.
“Through our Membership of the BMHF we also qualified to be a member of The European Federation of Materials Handling (FEM), which represents all of the materials handling industry in Europe, the turnover of which is approximately 60 Billion Euros per annum. This involvement puts us and other member companies in a prime position of being able to ensure we are all aware of what is expected of our companies. As such I cannot stress enough the importance of being a member.
“Over the years in my roles as President of all three institutions, I have also been lucky enough to have met and worked with some wonderful people across the materials handling sector. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to everyone with whom I have had the privilege to work alongside in all my presidential rolls over the years.”
Olivier Janin of FEM has said of John’s influence:
"Personifying the richness and variety of innovative companies in the materials handling industry, John was amongst the pioneers who relocated FEM in Brussels and gave it a truly European dimension. Throughout his 15 years as a Board member – two of which as president – John tirelessly raised our industry's interests towards peers and policymakers. He was notably a strong advocate for efficient and effective market surveillance in Europe."
Richard Spinks, president of ALEM, added:
"John has been a uniquely knowledgeable and authoritative voice across the UK and European marketplace for many years. I know I speak for all ALEM members, and hundreds of other people who’ve had the pleasure of working with John, when I offer sincere thanks and best wishes for the future."
At Thorworld Industries, we remain dedicated to improving safety and efficiency within the industry. The company also remains committed to our involvement in industry associations, to build on the foundations laid down by John, and the many others who commit their own time to continually moving the industry forwards.
Mark James, Director at Thorworld Industries, said:
“John highlighted to me very early in my career, the importance of being involved with trade associations, not only from a business perspective, but also from a networking perspective.
“The industry wouldn’t be what it is without the involvement of its members, and the time and commitment that John has given to these associations over the years is second to none. John has been truly inspirational, and without doubt the reason I maintain such involvement in the wider industry today.”
Published: 11/05/2023
