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Cartwright Conversions has supplied more than 130 patient transport vehicles to Falck UK for a major contract that will operate in the South of England.

In just under three months the North Lincolnshire-based converter designed and built over 80 patient transport vehicles and 12 high dependency units – all on MAN TGE – and a further 34 wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) on Renault Trafic.  

The vehicles will be operated by Falck Ambulance UK, the UK division of Falck, a global provider of ambulance services across Greater London on behalf of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 

Each PTS vehicle has been designed with universal floor tracking so the seats can be removed when needed and replaced with a stretcher or restraints for a wheelchair. This gives Falck greater flexibility in deploying its fleet on a daily basis.

For maximum efficiency the vehicle also has space for a carry chair and a powered stair climber with a separate storage pen next to the driver for folded wheelchairs. 

Simon Thwaites, Head of Fleet, Falck Ambulance UK said: ““These new cutting edge conversions, all equipped and built using the latest patient transport healthcare practices, will help us deliver not only a greater level of operational excellence, but a more efficient and modern level of service throughout the cycle of patient care.”

Finished with Falck’s striking branded bump pads and red piping on the seats, this vehicle certainly looks the part but it is also one of the safest vehicles on the market. Every PTS vehicle delivered in this contract has European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA).      

Steve Shaw, Managing Director of Cartwright Conversions added: “These vehicles are the first we have undertaken in our new premises so it is something of a milestone for us.

“The 28-acre site in North Lincolnshire gave us the capacity we needed to design and build over 130 vehicles in a short space of time. This is a fantastic achievement made possible due to the great relationship we have with everyone at Falck Ambulance.”

Cartwright Conversions will exhibit two of its vehicles at this year’s CV Show, including a restyled Ford-approved seven-seat welfare vehicle that will be shown for the first time.

Built on a Ford Transit the welfare conversion has been modified with a Webasto diesel-powered hydronic heating system that provides hot and cold running water quickly and cheaply.

The redesigned messing area includes a microwave, hot water boiler for drinks and cleaning facilities all housed in a new floor to ceiling cabinet.

Cartwright has Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) status for its welfare conversion on the Transit which recognises a converter’s high manufacturing standards and consistent quality.

Only a handful of converters hold this position for a welfare vehicle.

Although a new design it retains the patented rear facing toilet which is accessed separately to the storage area in the back of the vehicle through its own independent door.

The Ford Transit welfare conversion will be built to National Small Series Type Approved standards at Cartwright Conversion’s new premises. The recently acquired 26-acre site in North Lincolnshire, is being redeveloped for the rapidly growing converter.

Cartwright will also showcase its popular eight-seat welfare conversion on a MAN TGE – making them one of the first converters in the Country to offer a MAN welfare van.

Managing Director, Steve Shaw, said: “We are very excited to be launching two new vehicles at the CV Show this year. This is an opportunity for us to showcase our innovative designs on two incredibly versatile and robust LCVs.

“It comes at an exciting time for us as we prepare to move into bigger premises to house our fast-growing range of vehicle conversions.”

Visitors can see the Ford Transit welfare van on the Webasto stand in hall 5 (5C10) and the MAN TGE on the Eberspacher stand in the same hall (5D70).

They’ve got a school, a hospital and what was once the longest airport runway in the world.

Now people living on Ascension Island, a remote British Overseas Territory in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, have finally got a state-of-the-art civilian ambulance.

The population of just under 700 – including 90 children – will benefit from a new vehicle supplied by Cartwright Conversions more than 4,400 miles away in Doncaster, UK.

Until it arrived at the island’s port of Georgetown the only medical transport available was a “very basic” military-style Land Rover with no medical equipment on-board.

Cartwright Conversions won the contract to supply the vehicle, complete with a defibrillator and oxygen supply, after the Ascension Island’s Government put out a tender asking for the equivalent of an NHS frontline ambulance.

They supplied an ex-demonstration model with extra equipment and a well-proven powerful engine that could cope with the climb from the island’s port of Georgetown to the inland settlement of Two Boats which is home to the school.

Nathan Millington, Director of Operations and Facilities, for the Ascension Island Government, said: “We’re more than happy with it – it’s a very, very impressive bit of kit. It’s a quantum leap forward from what we had before. It’s nice to have something that’s of such a high standard.

“I was in the UK before Christmas and I went to meet the guys at Cartwright Conversions and I was really impressed with the amount of effort they have put into this, considering that we were just purchasing one vehicle whereas typically an NHS trust would replace an entire fleet.

“Cartwright went over and above to get this on the road and they kept us updated with what they were doing. They went the extra mile and I can’t recommend them highly enough.

“As you can imagine, it’s really hard work getting anything here but this project pretty much ran itself.”

Delivering the ambulance to the far-flung island, a strategically important air base for the Americans in World War II, the British in the Falklands War and NASA which earmarked it as an emergency landing spot for the space shuttle, was another challenge.

Due to its remote location one thousand miles off the coast of Africa and even farther – 1,400 miles – from South America, the ocean swell can make it one of the most dangerous cargo landings in the world.

The vehicle was sent out on a cargo ship that anchors off Ascension on the way to the Falkland Islands, then had to complete the last sea mile on a flat barge before being lifted by crane onto shore.

Steve Shaw, Managing Director of Cartwright Conversions said: “This was definitely one of our more unusual requests and we were delighted to help out the people living on Ascension Island by supplying them with a fully-equipped ambulance.

“We are proud of our conversions and the ambulance has a robust design that should serve them very well for many years to come.”

The ambulance was funded by the Global Britain Fund and the UK Government.

Cartwright Conversions produces a number of specialised vehicles including ambulances, patient transport, police and security, welfare and other bespoke conversions.

Cartwright Conversions has achieved official Ford converter status for two of its mid-sized wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) from its popular mobility range.

The converter has been part of Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program since 2017 and already has approval for its Ford Transit welfare vehicle.

A place on the QVM program shows that a vehicle converter can build to Ford’s high manufacturing standards and maintain consistent engineering and quality control. Only a handful of converters hold this position in the UK.

The latest vehicles to be assessed by Ford are rear passenger wheelchair accessible vehicles built on the high-roof Transit Custom and the lowered floor Tourneo Custom.

Cartwright launched its range of mobility vehicles into the retail market in 2017 and continues to grow in popularity as an approved provider of WAVs and vehicle adaptations on the Government-backed Motability Scheme.

The high-roof Ford Transit Custom is Cartwright’s best-selling WAV with a fully automatic fixed platform lift and four-point wheelchair restraints. The Tourneo Custom has a lowered floor and a manual folding ramp.

Cartwright’s range of Ford-approved conversions are guaranteed in line with the manufacturer’s warranty on the base vehicle.

Led by Managing Director Steve Shaw, the converter is to expand into new purpose-built premises in Belton, North East Lincolnshire. Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment and extension of the 28 acre site.

It is expected that the number of jobs will increase from 72 to 250 over the coming months.

Cartwright Conversions produces a number of specialised vehicles including ambulances, patient transport, police and security, welfare and other bespoke conversions such as mobile bank branches and optometrist vehicles.

Find out more about Cartwright's range of wheelchair accessible vehicles on their dedicated site for mobility: www.cartwrightmobility.co.uk

Cartwright Conversions’ Head of Manufacturing has won an award from LEX Autolease for Customer Service for the outstanding levels of service provided to Lloyds Banking Group’s new fleet of mobile bank branches.

Jason Barker leads a team who have converted 49 Iveco Daily vans into mobile branches both for Lloyds Bank and its subsidiary Bank of Scotland which are now in use from one end of the UK to the other.

As well as meticulously carrying out the conversions at Cartwright Conversions’ base in Doncaster, Jason and his team provide a 24/7 support service UK-wide to ensure the vehicles perform to their optimum capabilities.

The finished mobile branches, complete with comfortable waiting areas equipped with sofas (pictured right), are supplied to the banks through LEX Autolease, another part of Lloyds Banking Group, which has now honoured Jason.

He was presented with an engraved glass trophy at a gala dinner organised by LEX Autolease in Cheshire which he attended with Steve Shaw, Managing Director of Cartwright Conversions.

Jason said: “I am delighted to have received this award – it makes all the hard work worthwhile! And of course it reflects the hard work of everyone on the production team, I couldn’t have done it without everyone behind me.

“The mobile bank conversion was one of our more technically challenging projects, it involved liaising with a lot of different stakeholders and has been re-designed along the way to allow banks to offer more services.

“For example, we created private areas where customers could discuss their accounts behind acoustic curtains.”

From the outset Cartwright Conversions worked closely with the banks, LEX Autolease, BT and G4S which operates the vans.  Prototypes went on the road late in 2016 and the design was adjusted in response to customer feedback.

The vehicles were first rolled out in remote, rural areas where access to banking has traditionally been difficult and then to small towns where banks no longer have a physical presence. Initially offering basic services, they proved so popular that the range of services was extended.

Cartwright Conversions is part of Altrincham-based Cartwright Group, which in recent years has expanded beyond being the second-largest manufacturer of trailers in the UK to become a true one-stop shop for trailer needs, with thriving rentals, fleet services and finance operations. It has diversified into conversions and into aircraft ground support equipment.

Since being established Cartwright Conversions has grown to have a staff of 75, including apprentices, and is renowned for its conversions to blue-light vehicles, welfare vehicles for remote workers, and ambulances. Planning permission on Cartwright’s new premises has just been granted to allow for the redevelopment and extension of the site at Belton in North Lincolnshire.

Cartwright Conversions’ Head of Manufacturing has won an award from LEX Autolease for Customer Service for the outstanding levels of service provided to Lloyds Banking Group’s new fleet of mobile bank branches.

Jason Barker leads a team who have converted 49 Iveco Daily vans into mobile branches both for Lloyds Bank and its subsidiary Bank of Scotland which are now in use from one end of the UK to the other.

As well as meticulously carrying out the conversions at Cartwright Conversions’ base in Doncaster, Jason and his team provide a 24/7 support service UK-wide to ensure the vehicles perform to their optimum capabilities.

The finished mobile branches, complete with comfortable waiting areas equipped with sofas (pictured right), are supplied to the banks through LEX Autolease, another part of Lloyds Banking Group, which has now honoured Jason.

He was presented with an engraved glass trophy at a gala dinner organised by LEX Autolease in Cheshire which he attended with Steve Shaw, Managing Director of Cartwright Conversions.

Jason said: “I am delighted to have received this award – it makes all the hard work worthwhile! And of course it reflects the hard work of everyone on the production team, I couldn’t have done it without everyone behind me.

“The mobile bank conversion was one of our more technically challenging projects, it involved liaising with a lot of different stakeholders and has been re-designed along the way to allow banks to offer more services.

“For example, we created private areas where customers could discuss their accounts behind acoustic curtains.”

From the outset Cartwright Conversions worked closely with the banks, LEX Autolease, BT and G4S which operates the vans.  Prototypes went on the road late in 2016 and the design was adjusted in response to customer feedback.

The vehicles were first rolled out in remote, rural areas where access to banking has traditionally been difficult and then to small towns where banks no longer have a physical presence. Initially offering basic services, they proved so popular that the range of services was extended.

Cartwright Conversions is part of Altrincham-based Cartwright Group, which in recent years has expanded beyond being the second-largest manufacturer of trailers in the UK to become a true one-stop shop for trailer needs, with thriving rentals, fleet services and finance operations. It has diversified into conversions and into aircraft ground support equipment.

Since being established Cartwright Conversions has grown to have a staff of 75, including apprentices, and is renowned for its conversions to blue-light vehicles, welfare vehicles for remote workers, and ambulances. Planning permission on Cartwright’s new premises has just been granted to allow for the redevelopment and extension of the site at Belton in North Lincolnshire.

Planning permission for the demolition, redevelopment and extension of Cartwright’s recently acquired site in North Lincolnshire has been approved.

The Cartwright Group, one of the UK’s leading trailer, commercial vehicle body and conversion manufacturers has bought a 26 acre site in Belton to expand and relocate Cartwright Conversions. This includes the former Brickworks and adjoining land.

It is expected that the number of jobs will increase from 72 to 250 over the next 18 months.

North Lincolnshire Council’s Economy and Growth Team has been supporting the business for some months while they acquire the site.

A jobs fair will be held on 15 and 23 January 2019 in Belton where people will be able to find out about working for Cartwrights and the jobs available at the new base in Belton. Further details will be available in the New Year.

Planning permission has been given for the demolition, redevelopment and extension of the site. Work will start on site in coming weeks with the aim of Cartwright Conversions being fully operational in the new facility in spring 2019.

Led by Group MD, Mark Cartwright, the Cartwright Group currently build trailers and commercial vehicle bodies at its 38 acre site in Altrincham and Cartwright Conversions operates from Doncaster. The Group which includes Cartwright Rentals, Cartwright Fleet Services and Cartwright Finance has increased turnover from £89m to £150m over the last four years and predicts almost £170m in 2018/19.

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“It is fantastic that the Cartwright Group has chosen North Lincolnshire as the ideal location for them to expand and relocate their base for Cartwright Conversions. Now planning permission has been given they can get started on transforming the site in Belton.

“Bringing new investment and jobs to North Lincolnshire is a top priority for the council. We are always on the lookout for and working with businesses to encourage investment in North Lincolnshire.

“This major investment will create hundreds of jobs and training opportunities, which is always a key focus for us.

“I’d like to welcome Cartwrights to North Lincolnshire and look forward to seeing their plans becoming a reality.”

Steve Shaw, Managing Director of Cartwright Conversions said:

“We are delighted that planning permission for expansion of the site at Belton has been agreed. This is the continuation of an exciting journey for Cartwright Conversions and with the support of North Lincolnshire Council we are looking forward to bringing new opportunities to the area in the New Year.”

Established in 1952 and now under the banner of Better, Built in Britain the Cartwright Group employs a workforce of over 1,000 highly skilled and trained staff who design, engineer and build the widest range of high quality trailers and rigid bodied vehicles in the market. Their customers include some of the UK’s biggest companies, such as Royal Mail, Argos, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and in flying the flag for British manufacturing excellence, the business also  has major export customers in Europe, Australia , UAE and South America.

Conversions  was launched in 2016, and going from strength to strength under Managing Director Steve Shaw and his team the business produces a wide range of specialized vehicles including ambulances, mobility, welfare , police and security vehicles for a range of clients, including the NHS, UK police forces and highways maintenance companies.

Cartwright Conversions has been shortlisted for Commercial Fleet’s ‘Converter of the Year’ award 2018.

 

The Doncaster-based converter will find out if they have been successful at an awards ceremony at the Hilton in Birmingham on 29 November.

Cartwright's new Lincolnshire premises

Steve Shaw, Commercial and Operations Director said, “To be shortlisted for such a prestigious award is incredible and it is an honour to be among some fantastic converters. It comes at an exciting time for the business as we are preparing to move into new, purpose-built premises to meet growing demand for our conversions.”

In September the Cartwright Group announced the acquisition of a 26 acre site in North Lincolnshire to create a flagship base for its conversions’ division. It expects to increase jobs from 72 to around 250 over the next 18 months.

Cartwright Conversions was launched in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength producing a wide range of specialised vehicles including ambulances, mobility, welfare, police and security vehicles for a range of clients in diverse markets.

“It is the hard work and dedication of staff from every area of the business that has brought us to this point and ensures that we continue to exceed our customers’ expectations. To be shortlisted for ‘Converter of the Year’ is an incredible achievement for us all,” added Steve.

Find out more about Bauer’s Commercial Fleet Awards.

One of the UK’s leading trailer, commercial vehicle body and conversion manufacturers, Cartwright Group, has announced the acquisition of a 26 acre site in North Lincolnshire to create a new flagship base for Cartwright Conversions Ltd.

Led by Group MD Mark Cartwright, Cartwright Group currently build trailers and commercial vehicle bodies at its 38 acre site in Altrincham and Cartwright Conversions operates from Doncaster. The Group which includes S Cartwright & Sons (Coachbuilders) Ltd, Cartwright Rentals, Cartwright Fleet Services and Cartwright Finance has increased turnover from £89m to £150m over the last 4 years and predicts almost £170m in 2018/19.

Established in 1952 and now under the banner of Better, Built in Britain, Cartwright Group employs a workforce of over 1,000 highly skilled and trained staff who design, engineer and build the widest range of high quality trailers and rigid bodied vehicles on the market. Their customers include some of the UK’s biggest companies, such as Royal Mail, Argos, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and in flying the flag for British manufacturing excellence, the business also has major export customers in Europe, Australia, UAE and South America.

As part of its continued UK expansion programme, Cartwright Group intends to relocate Cartwright Conversions to the new site at Belton, and expects to increase the number of jobs from 72 to around 250 over the next 18 months.

Cartwright Conversions was launched in 2016, and, going from strength to strength under Commercial and Operations Director Steve Shaw and his team, the business produces a wide range of specialized vehicles including ambulances, mobility, welfare, police and security vehicles for a range of clients, including the NHS, UK police forces and highways maintenance companies.

To support the continued success and growth of Cartwright Conversions, Mark Cartwright approved this major investment to purchase the former Belton Brickworks and adjoining land to create a flagship base and relocate the Cartwright Conversions business to the new premises.

A planning application for the demolition, redevelopment, and extension of the site has been submitted and, subject to planning, Cartwright Group will commence work on site later this year with the aim of Cartwright Conversions being fully operational in the new facility in spring 2019.

Eden Planning Director Donna Barber, advising Cartwright Group on the planning and development of the site explains “the Belton location is perfect, with good access to the motorway, it enables Cartwright Conversions to stay in the area, easily relocate its skilled employees and provide room for future growth. Being outside but close to the nearest settlements means there are no amenity issues but that local people can access the site by walking, cycling or bus. The site itself is particularly suited to meet their needs, combining industrial buildings with hard standing areas. The proposals would bring a disused industrial site back into productive use, add a further 150,000 sq. feet of production space creating new jobs. Alongside this, additional local jobs and investment will also be created during the construction phase. We look forward to continue to work with the council to ensure that the local community benefits from the new jobs created”.

Cartwright Conversions Commercial and Operations Director Steve Shaw explains: “As well as holding a careers fair in conjunction with the council, Cartwright will also be introducing their multi-award winning apprenticeship scheme, aimed at young people looking to work in manufacturing.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Attracting new investment and jobs to North Lincolnshire is a key priority for the council. We actively work with businesses to encourage new start-ups, expansions and relocations. I have met with the company and their plans are impressive.

“This is a major development that will transform a disused industrial site and bring it back to life – creating hundreds of jobs and training opportunities.

“While the plans are subject to approval, I welcome Cartwrights expansion proposals to transform the former Belton Brickworks into their new flagship base.”

The planning authority will determine the application later this year.

Cartwright Conversions Helps SMS Plc’s Installation Teams

Cartwright Conversions has won another order from Smart Metering Systems plc (SMS plc) to convert 29 Peugeot Expert vans into modern, efficient work vans for their installation teams in the field.

Working closely with the company’s fleet installation team, Cartwright’s engineers have designed a conversion that provides a bespoke and well-organised storage system for the wide variety of meters, tools and equipment required improving on efficiency, safety and customer service.

SMS is a specialist end-to-end energy services company providing everything from smart metering and data to the delivery of sustainability projects. Cartwright Conversions has been helping SMS plc to upgrade its fleet since 2017 and has already converted 80 Peugeot Experts and 5 Peugeot Boxers for the company.

Peugeot Expert Racking Van

Simon Morley of Cartwright Conversions, said: “We are delighted that SMS plc chose Cartwright Conversions to come up with an ergonomic and efficient solution for their installation teams.”

Yvonne Cannon, Fleet Installations Manager, SMS plc, said: “We have liaised with Cartwright Conversions in relation to designing the racking and, with the input from engineers and operations, have come up with a design that is fit for purpose which will enable the engineers to complete their work in a timely and efficient manner.”

The Peugeot Experts are fitted with a modular racking system that has deep crash tested shelves for safely storing various sized meters, pipework and installation tools.

A lockable gas cabinet is included in the conversion to transport hazardous material, along with ladder hooks and a safety net for the ultimate safe storage meters. The shelves have dividers, anti-rattle mats and sliding boxes for efficient storage of smaller parts.

The interior of the vehicle is finished with a durable, hardwearing lining, an anti-slip floor, a rotary air vent and LED lighting with automatic movement sensor.