George Alexander Rotinoff
George Alexander Rotinoff (1902-1959) of Rotinoff Motors
1959 Obituary [1]
WE record with regret the sudden death, after a heart attack, of Mr. G. A. Rotinoff, A.M.I.C.E., on May 2.
George Alexander Rotinoff was born in Russia on February 11, 1902, and was educated at Eton, proceeding to Cambridge to obtain his M.A. He served his apprenticeship in the oil fields of Rumania, and commenced his creative career with service in many parts of the world with his father's firm, driving the piling that carries his name.
During his service with Dowsett-McKay he initiated the work of that firm on prestressed concrete railway sleepers and on open-cast coal mining. Subsequently he established his own construction company, followed by other firms which now constitute the Rotinoff Group: in later years he devoted himself largely to mechanical engineering, establishing a general engineering workshop during the war.
After the war he undertook the design, development and manufacture of prime movers larger than any previous British vehicles. The tractors culminated in the 400 h.p. "Super Atlantic," the most powerful road vehicle in the world, while the "Viscount" truck is in service on long hauls in Australia.
Up to the time of his death, Mr. Rotinoff was taking an active part in engineering work: he had himself demonstrated his vehicles in the tank transporter role in Switzerland and other countries. Just twelve months ago he was present at the haulage of the heaviest load moved by road in this country, when Sunter Bros. beached the first heat exchanger for Bradwell nuclear power station: in our photograph of this event he can be seen standing beside his prototype "Atlantic." He is survived by a widow and an orphan daughter.