About Us
THE YEAR WAS 1976– WORLIFTS FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS
Company History
On the 18th October, 2021 Worlifts celebrated 45 years of supplying lifting and associated equipment across all sectors of industry. Operating from two locations in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Worlifts is a family-run business that now employs over 40 people.
The founder of Worlifts - Sam Worley can be seen in the picture displayed.
Humble Beginnings
1974
With humble beginnings, the company, which began it’s life in Smethwick, West Midlands as Worley Hydraulics, was founded by Mr Sam Worley just a few months before his 58th Birthday. In the start-up years, daughter Anita and son John worked alongside their father part time.
1976
The company changed its name to Worlifts Limited and in 1979 moved to larger premises in Hockley Birmingham and son John began to work full time. In these early years, the company manufactured a range of hydraulic jacking equipment but because of increased competition from imported products, the company gradually moved away from manufacturing into the distribution of high pressure hydraulic lifting equipment and added mechanical lifting equipment to its scope of supply.
1995
This year saw the passing of founder Sam Worley and son John became managing director whilst sister Anita had left the business to form her own retail giftware company.
Through expansion, the next 12 years would see the company move twice more and in 2007 has operated from two locations, just 1 mile from the M5 motorway, junction 4, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
1997
Worlifts were appointed as an authorised Distributor for Enerpac hydraulic equipment, a global market leader in high pressure hydraulics and are now one of Enerpac’ s leading UK distributors and authorised service centres.
21st Century Worlifts
2003
This year saw the launch of the first mobile inspection vehicle which was to be utilised to inspect, repair test and certify customer’s equipment on site in accordance with LOLER & PUWER regulations.
The company now operates a large fleet of these vehicles covering the whole of the UK from it’s Site Services Division in Bromsgrove.
2007
Worlifts were appointed as the sole UK authorised distributor for Hegenscheidt-MFD Re- Railing equipment and formed a new division called Wor-Rail (later to be changed to Worlifts Rail), which is dedicated to serving the railway maintenance infrastructure.
2010
After manufacturing a number of testing machines for use on the Companies dedicated on-site vehicles and in house, it became obvious that the Company had inadvertently manufactured a very marketable product and started the manufacture of various test machines which are used for testing both hydraulic and mechanical lifting equipment. Having manufactured these test machines for a number of years to the UK market, the Company moved into exporting test machines overseas.
2012
Worlifts were appointed as a specialised Enerpac Bolting Distributor to compliment the Enerpac industrial tool distributorship, with Enerpac supplying a dedicated on- site calibration vehicle combined with training at Enerpac in Holland for Worlifts staff.
2014
In this year Worlifts were appointed as a main Norbar torque tool distributor and an authorised repair centre.
2016
This year saw the launch of another new division, HydraHire, which specialises in the hire of Hydraulic cylinders, pumps, jacking and associated equipment as well as hydraulic/ pneumatic and electric torque tools.
2021
During difficult UK and worldwide trading conditions, Worlifts continued to build on the positive relationships with chosen world leading brands.
One notable achievement was being awarded the status of ‘Platinum Distributor’ by Enerpac thus cementing our position as the largest UK stocking distributor and service centre.
This new status was awarded to Worlifts because of our influence and commitment to promoting new to market innovative products. One example of this was the ZC-Series Battery Powered Rail Stressing Pump. Worlifts supported this thorough the approvals process and is currently leading the way in a drive for battery tools within the infrastructure.
2023
Following months of discussions & several on-site demonstrations by the Worlifts Rail Division, the Enerpac RP70A Rail Stressor received Network Rail Approval.
This innovative product is lightweight and fast to set up without having to dig out any ballast.
Each component is a genuine one or two man lift.
Worlifts delivered the very first units to the UK Rail Industry in January & continue to showcase this product.