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Arnold Clark Vehicle Management and Coachbuilders Deliver Edinburgh Zoo Request

24 October 2012

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management (ACVM) was approached by Edinburgh Zoo and asked to supply a vehicle to meet current European legislation for the welfare of exotic animals being transported throughout Scotland. Arnold Clark Coachbuilders were commissioned to undertake the job of sourcing an appropriate vehicle in order to undertake a conversion to meet the needs of Edinburgh Zoo.

The vehicle had to allow for the safe transportation of various species, from all over Europe, with special attention considered from size of animal to climate within the cargo area.

A Ford Transit Jumbo was selected by the Coachbuilders team to meet the load space criteria, with adjustable load restraint poles and track fitted in order to allow for various sizes of transportation crates, this coupled with lashing rings mounted to the floor allowed flexibility in securing the load being carried.

An internal caged partition with doors was mounted inside the cargo area access doors as an added security measure, along with an infra red camera system with audio, displayed in the cab area of the van allowing instant monitoring of animal welfare during transit.

In order to control hygiene levels within the cargo section, Coachbuilders ensured the van was fully insulated, prior to having a seam free lining added. To meet hygiene requirements and durability, there was no hesitation in choosing Speedliner HC® with Ultra Fresh as the finishing material for the load space.

SPEEDLINER® HC resists deterioration, discolouration and degradation that could occur through the action of bacterial and fungal organisms. The inclusion of Ultra-Fresh™ antimicrobial system into SPEEDLINER® HC provides active anti bacterial and anti fungal protection. Ultra-Fresh™ ensures that the SPEEDLINER® HC coating protects against rotting, degradation, odours and spoilage that can be caused by microbial contamination. Most importantly Ultra-Fresh™ is effective in the fight against bacteria such as MRSA and E-coli and creates a hostile environment for such organisms which cannot survive on the SPEEDLINER® HC liner.

Climate within the load space was controlled using a combined refrigeration/heating system which allowed a temperature range from -3° to +25°, a temperature recorder and printer was also included for accurate record keeping. Standby electrics were also built in the event of prolonged periods when the vehicle would not be travelling.

The Coachbuilders designed the van so the extra flat unit was recessed into the van roof in order to maximise fuel consumption considering the mileage the vehicle would be covering. As a secondary option electrically operated inlet /extract fans were fitted in the roof alongside the flush fit LED lighting. Steve Maitland from the Coachbuilders division managed the conversion to ensure that the end product suited the needs to the zoo. The overall end result is something that the Zoo have informed us will enable the transportation of so many kinds of animals to take place.

 

Arnold Clark Uses Specialist Coach Building Equipment

14 April 2011

New legislation regarding all healthcare vehicles is expected to be passed and, as a result, all Health Authority fleet managers will have to ensure that vehicle interiors are resistant to any liquids including bodily fluids.

As vehicles are a potential source of infection and contamination from bacteria and microbial activity, the UKs Quality Care Commission is developing new legislation relating to the lining of vehicles used for transporting patients and also vehicles used for the movement of sterile equipment or medical supplies. Vehicles lined with materials such as carpet or cloth-based fabrics, and any interior liable to the ingress of liquids, will not be allowed to transport patients or any medical equipment or supplies.

In view of this, Arnold Clark Automobiles is Europes largest independent motor dealer with over 145 branches nationwide, and their specialist coach-building facility based in East Kilbride, Scotland, has recently designed and constructed a special project, providing the Dundee branch of the British Red Cross with a purpose-built vehicle that has been completely interior-lined with Speedliner HC, and Topcoat 6 HC gloss easy clean finish.

A Speedliner HC-lined vehicle creates a hygienic, safe interior surface for patients, equipment and clinical supplies.

William Paterson, General Manager of Arnold Clark Coachbuilders , says: Due to the development of new legislation, all healthcare vehicles must contain washable and wipe-clean surfaces that will leave carpeted vehicles obsolete. Following consultation with the end-user, we carried out a bespoke build of the British Red Cross vehicle including a spray-on application of anti-bacterial products developed by Speedliner Europe Ltd. Having successfully carried out a similar conversion for a local mountain rescue team, we had no hesitation in recommending the use of Speedliner for this application. If this new legislation is put in to action, all healthcare vehicles will need to be lined with an extremely tough and durable interior coating such as Speedliner HC and Topcoat 6 HC, which will help prevent contamination and reduce cross infection risks, he said.

Sample applications and testing has also been carried out by Speedliner Europe Ltd to successfully overcoat a range of existing vehicle interior cloth and fabric linings, including various carpet materials.

With this extra versatile application, we now have the potential to refurbish existing specialist hospital patient and personnel transportation, to meet the new legislation standards to give these vehicles a compliant and extended work-life , added William Paterson.

Coachbuilders to the Rescue

22 July 2009

Over recent years Arnold Clark Coachbuilders division has expanded to meet the growing needs of the industry. The facility based in East Kilbride provides a one-stop shop for all forms of conversion requirements, with a wide range of bespoke products to suit all customers needs, from small businesses to large fleets.

A recent conversion undergone for Killin Mountain Rescue highlighted the great lengths Arnold Clark Coachbuilders goes to in meeting the individual needs of its customers.

Willie Paterson, bodyshop manager comments, " When Killin Mountain Rescue contacted us, we were extremely happy to help. It was a large job but the mountain rescue team benefited greatly from the conversion and our main aim was to provide the team with a practical and functional vehicle suitable for all weather conditions."

The conversion took around 12 weeks to complete and the results were phenomenal; from a Renault Master Panel Van to a fully functioning mountain rescue van including a kitchen area with cooker and hot hand wash facilities. The vehicle is also equipped with a storage and work area containing removable and multi position seating for six personnel and SPEEDLINER® was also used to coat the inside of the vehicle ensuring it was suitable for all weather conditions.

Bill Rose of Killin Mountain Rescue team said, "The mountain rescue team was thrilled with Coachbuilders' work. The van not only looks extremely impressive but it has all the facilities we require plus a few more. The job was completed efficiently and the end result displays the amount of skill involved by Coachbuilders."

Arnold Clark Coachbuilders provide a range of products and services, including:

• temperature controlled vehicles
• luton vans and curtain sided vehicles
• dropside and tippers
• minibus and seat conversions
• welfare conversions
• vehicle transporters

An extensive selection of accessories is also available from advertising boards, reverse cameras to interior/exterior lighting and audio & video equipment.

For further information, please call 01355 243 378.

New Coachbuilder Premises

16 August 2008

Arnold Clark's comprehensive Coachbuilding facility, which has been based at our Kilbirnie Street location in Glasgow since 1982 is now moving to new premises in East Kilbride.

This move is a sign of the huge steps the Coachbuilding sector of Arnold Clark has taken to become a highly competitive area within the company.

The Coachbuilding facility is known for providing a range of light commercial repair and conversion systems, as well as being experienced in coordinating small to major repairs and complex vehicle modification.

Servicing small companies, major fleet contracts and Arnold Clark's own Hire Fleet, the workshop offers a range of services such as:

• Luton Vans
• Curtain sided vehicles
• Drop side vans
• Tippers
• All types of refrigeration vehicles
• Mini bus conversions
• And much more (please see link on the site for more details)

With the growth of the Coachbuilding function there is a need to move to larger premises in order to meet the growing demand.

In conjunction with Arnold Clark Finance and other sectors within the group, Arnold Clark Coachbuilding has been able to secure many large contracts. They pride themselves on being able to meet the needs and requirements of all customers large and small. The move to East Kilbride will aid in meeting the market demand for the bespoke products that the coachbuilders division provides. You can contact the new Coachbuilding Facility on 01355 243378 or click here to find your local repair centre.

 

Arnold Clark introduces Speedliner®

28 August 2008

Synonymous with new and used car sales, Arnold Clark also has an extensive range of additional services, including servicing and repairs, car, home and travel insurance, car and van rental and fleet management.

Aside from the hugely successful non-commercial side of the organisation, Arnold Clark has further diversified to offer an excellent range of fleet vehicles to its commercial customers. Whether it's a pool of company cars or a fleet of transit vans, Arnold Clark has the solution.

In addition, Arnold Clark has a comprehensive coach building facility based in Glasgow, which offers an extensive range of light commercial repair and conversion systems. Experienced in coordinating small to major repairs and complex vehicle modification, Arnold Clark's Kilbirnie Street site, for many, is the first port of call when looking for any vehicle alteration.

Servicing small companies, major fleet contracts and Arnold Clark's own hire fleet, the workshop offers an extensive range of bodies from tippers, dropsides, minibus conversions, temperature control vehicles, Luton and box vans which can be built on any manufactures' chassis. This facility, along with the bespoke conversions specific to customers needs, make an excellent addition to Arnold Clark's range of services.

Having been approached by a major fleet customer looking for a product which would protect the floors of their vehicles, Arnold Clark trialled Speedliner® and it ticked all the boxes of the client's requirements. Its strength, colours, anti-fade and grip properties ensured that the customer was getting the best the market had to offer.

With the range of light commercial vehicles that Arnold Clark provides, it seemed natural to introduce Speedliner® as an addition to the workshop's list of services, ensuring an even more inclusive approach to vehicle maintenance and protection.

Once applied, the Speedliner® spray system guarantees a durable, anti-slip, waterproof surface, ideal for van floors, trailers, boats and industrial equipment.

An industrial strength spray liner which can combine genuine Du-Pont Kevlar® KE2000 fibre additive to create an exceptional cut and tear resistance, Speedliner provides a tough 4,600 - 4,900 psi. tensile strength protective coating that can be applied to any
thickness.

Quick to praise the benefits of Speedliner®, Jeffery Clark General Manager of Arnold Clark Car and Van Rental has seen a marked improvement in the quality of its fleet of pickups since introducing the protective spray. Where previously hire vehicles had been badly affected by hirers transporting heavy equipment, rubble and waste, Speedliner® has significantly reduced the effect on its vehicles.

Jeffery states, "The load area of the pick-ups goes to the next customer in as good a condition as they did with the first. This gives both us and the hirer peace of mind when it comes to loading a vehicle of this type".

Similarly, having subjected Speedliner® to its own rigorous tests, Mitsubishi Motors UK has formally added the product to its catalogue of accessories. Mitsubishi UK product planner, Jon Sage-Rossiter cites the quality of Speedliner® as the main reason for accreditation.

He comments, "Its simplicity of application, choice of colours and most importantly the exclusive Du-Pont Kevlar® fibre option provides our customers with the highest possible bed liner protection available."

Ideal for protecting trucks, vans and animal transport vehicles, Speedliner's latest innovation, Speedliner® Hygiene Coat (HC), could play a crucial role in the fight against bacterial and fungal invasion.

By incorporating Ultra-FreshTM antimicrobial system into Speedliner® HC, Speedliner® guarantees protection against bacteria, fungi, mould and mildew. Ultra-FreshTM ensures that Speedliner® HC is resistant to the rotting, degradation, odours and spoilage that can be caused by microbial contamination.

If applied to the load carrying bays of vehicles operating within the health, hygiene, laundry, refuse and food industries - contamination and the spread of bacterial infections such as MRSA and E-coli could be prevented, as Speedliner® HC is too hostile an environment for such organisms to survive.

A versatile product, Speedliner® is available in 18 high quality stock colours to compliment your chosen application.

As an authorised dealer of Speedliner® and Speedliner® HC, Arnold Clark will be happy to discuss your vehicle and fleet needs. Please contact 0141 429 4773 for further details or log an enquiry online .