Built by Family, Made for You
Hippo Carts is a small family business born from a passion for crafting and fabricating high quality metal products. Founded by Alex Marler, a design engineer with over a decade of experience turning ideas, even from a simple napkin sketch, into tangible products, we combine skill, creativity, and hands on expertise to bring unique solutions to life.
Alex’s experience in the TV and SFX industry, building all sorts of inventive contraptions for filming, gives us inside knowledge of what makes a cart functional, durable, and practical, all while keeping costs reasonable.
The idea for Hippo Carts came from a friend in the lighting industry who needed new carts but couldn’t justify the inflated prices from existing suppliers. Together, we redesigned and improved the carts, adding innovative features that streamlined his work and Hippo Carts was born.
As a family-run business, we prioritise thoughtful design, British manufacturing of the highest standard, and excellent value for your investment. We offer both ready made solutions and personalised design services, ensuring every trolley we build is perfectly suited to your needs.
TV & Film Projects
Behind the scenes and on set — highlights from TV shoots and projects Alexander Marler has helped bring to life.
Alexander Marler
Founder/ Lead Design Engineer
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take to make my cart?
We’re a small family business and don’t have the resources to keep standard carts sitting on shelves. Every cart we produce is made to order, which can mean a slightly longer delivery window, but it also ensures each cart is handmade to the highest quality.
All products are crafted to your specifications, allowing us to be very responsive to your needs. Most standard cart orders take 1–2 weeks to manufacture, while bespoke cart lead times depend on the complexity of the design. Delivery time is additional to the manufacturing period.
How do Hippo Carts create bespoke carts at reasonable prices?
We keep our costs low by being a small family business every cart is made to order, with no expensive stock sitting on shelves. Click the Bespoke tab at the top of the website to find our contact form. Send us a message with your ideas and requirements, and we aim to respond within 24 hours.
From there, we work closely with you to design the perfect cart that meets your needs, high-quality, custom-built, and priced fairly.
How expensive is a bespoke cart?
At Hippo Carts, you decide your budget, we can design a cart that’s as premium or as cost-conscious as you like. Our free design service means we tailor every plan around your requirements and budget.
With both design and manufacturing under one roof, we can offer competitive pricing. Each bespoke cart is priced individually, and we provide a no-obligation quote so you know exactly what to expect.
Does my bespoke cart have to be for Lighting or Film use?
We design and make carts for all needs. We are currently in the process of designing industrial carts which will be added to our website soon.
Where do you deliver to?
We deliver anywhere in Mainland UK. For international orders, we can arrange delivery on a case-by-case basis — please email us to discuss shipping options and pricing.
How quick is delivery?
All Hippo Carts are made to order in our UK workshop, so delivery times include both manufacturing and shipping. Once your cart is complete, it is shipped via next-day delivery, and most orders arrive within two weeks.
As a small, family-run business making each cart to demand, lead times can vary depending on your specific order. Please contact us for a detailed delivery estimate tailored to your purchase.