VCS, the UK’s leading manufacturer of emergency services vehicles, will invest more than £5m in a new manufacturing facility for ambulances, police, and specialist vehicle conversions in Bradford.
The factory will futureproof the UK’s supply of world-class emergency vehicles by creating the country’s largest dedicated manufacturing facility and trebling VCS’s current production capacity to nearly 1,500 vehicles a year.
Mark Kerrigan, managing director of VCS, said: “This is an extremely-exciting milestone in VCS’s history, demonstrating our continued position as market leaders in the emergency services sector.
“The company continues to exceed expectations, not only of what VCS can do as a business, but our ability to deliver high-quality, low-emissions, advanced emergency vehicles.”
VCS’s new facility will help protect the UK’s emergency services fleet, with a new dedicated R&D facility that doubles its engineering capability.
No compromise
This builds upon the company’s reputation for creating the lightest vehicle conversions available – in turn aiding fuel efficiency and reducing emissions – without compromising on vehicle quality and reliability.
And the investment follows a period of exceptional growth for VCS, which posted a 30% increase in turnover over two years.
The company currently sits in first place on the NHS framework for ambulance convertors, while it also plans to target new international markets in the coming years.
Further news on the new facility will be announced in due course.
We’ve taken this responsibility incredibly seriously, ensuring that our next-generation DCA offers significant efficiency gains as well as tangible benefits to crews and ambulance fleet managers alike
The news comes just a few months after VCS unveiled its next-generation Dual Crewed Ambulance (DCA).
The new Fiat Ducato-based DCA, which will become a mainstay of NHS ambulance fleets across the country, focuses on reducing weight, simplifying systems, and further embracing technology.
Significant weight savings have been achieved with the introduction of a low-mass loading ramp, while lightweight composites have also been utilised in the vehicle’s interior cabinets, panelling, and flooring.
The investment by VCS comes just a few months after it unveiled its new Dual Crew Ambulance
Efficiency gains
And lightweight ABS linings and ceiling panels also the interior finish quality, while proving harder wearing and offering better impact resistance.
Further reductions in mass come from replacing standard-fitment OEM exterior glass with a lightweight alternative.
In addition, revisions to the DCA’s electrical systems have yielded gains in lightweighting, as well as vehicle and manufacturing performance and a new modular electrical harness not only saves weight, but also reduces assembly time.
And lithium-ion technology and revised battery management systems further reduce weight while also improving performance.
Kerrigan said: “Our Dual Crewed Ambulance makes up a significant proportion of the UK’s ambulance fleet, meaning that any updates to this vehicle can have a profound effect on our emergency services.
“We’ve taken this responsibility incredibly seriously, ensuring that our next-generation DCA offers significant efficiency gains as well as tangible benefits to crews and ambulance fleet managers alike.”
The vehicles are already being used by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
