A South Jersey company is the first customer for Airtrax's Sidewinder ATX-3000, which the company says is the world's first omnidirectional forklift.

The Courier-Post reported Bill Wahl, of Bill Wahl Supply Inc, became the first buyer of the Sidewinder, which was developed in South Jersey.

Airtrax is proud of its forklift with unique-shaped patented wheels that permit the forklift to turn 360 degrees in its own footprint.

The company boasts: "If lift trucks were automobiles, this would be like the first Ford motor vehicle put on the road."

Airtrax CEO Peter Amico and Bill Wahl demonstrated the Sidewinder's capabilities at Wahl's warehouse on Sicklerville Road, Blackwood, New Jersey. Amico was present to answer questions about the technology and its implications for manufacturing and industry.

Amico said Airtrax was shipping four more Sidewinders - one each to Philadelphia and California and two to Canadian customers.