Moreton Bay-based Mobicon Systems is celebrating 30 years of designing, manufacturing and innovating light-weight straddle carriers.

The business was founded in 1994 when Tom Schults, who had been working in the logistics sector, determined there must be a better way of moving shipping containers than the use of side-loading trailers.

Schults developed the first Mobicon portable post-lifter which raises the container so that the trailer of the truck can be driven under it to load or unload. The lifting unit then fits under the trailer and is transported to be used for unloading at the destination.

Continuing to innovate, Schults quit his day job to focus on the business and set to work to develop a new light-weight straddle carrier, the self-propelled 2T, which transports the container into and out of warehouses.   

This was followed in 2012 by what Mobicon describes as “its biggest innovation yet”, the 2HL light-weight straddle carrier which can stack containers two high, while maintaining the flexibility and manoeuvrability of the 2T.

That year was pivotal for Mobicon, as it secured a 15-year contract with the US Navy to design and supply 20 light-weight straddle carriers.

Mobicon general manager Jesse Schultz, reflecting on the history of the business, cites the long-standing relationships with the US Navy and Australian Border Force as Mobicon’s biggest achievement as a business.

Mobicon has significantly grown its footprint with partnerships and clients across the US, UK, Asia, Africa and Europe.

The company has a work force of 30, with half of those employed with Mobicon for five years or more and several more who have been there for 10 to 15 years.

Jesse Schultz says while the company’s success was achieved while Mobicon stayed “true to our code of ethics”.

“We view all major business decisions through the lens of 'can I lie straight in bed tonight’,” he adds.

And looking to the future?

“Our plans are to continually develop our range of lightweight straddle carriers and bring new products and solutions to market.”