Leading UK manufacturer Cartwright has secured a major order to manufacture 21 A&E ambulances from its Taurus Range for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).
It is the first major ambulance order for South Manchester based Cartwright, which has recently been accredited as an approved manufacturer to supply ambulances to the NHS.
The YAS order is for frontline A&E ambulances and is based upon a Mercedes Sprinter 4.6-tonne super single van option, which changes the rear axle from a twin wheel rear axle to a single wheel, allowing more space inside the ambulance and therefore a better solution.
The conversion allows provision inside the ambulance for two crew members, one stretchered patient and up to two additional seated patients or passengers.
The base vehicle, when specified to NHS fleet specification, weighs in at 2565kg unladen. Cartwright has a finalised unladen weight of 3720kg (92/21/EEC), which includes all fixtures, fittings, medical equipment brackets and a 240kg Ross & Bonnyman 500kg capacity bariatric tail-lift. This provides an unprecedented 880kg of payload for Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
The design of these ambulances has been implemented using the company’s new Solid Works 3D design software package, which Cartwright has been using for the development side of its ambulance business. The company’s engineers had to effectively integrate what was traditionally a 5-tonne box body into a smaller van conversion.
The design also involved work on the aerodynamics on the exterior of the ambulance, to include aerodynamic light pods to the front and rear, which replaced the traditional light bar on the roof. Cartwright has actually integrated the traditional blue light equipment into an aerodynamics package, with the resultant benefit of improved fuel economy and a reduction in the carbon footprint of the vehicles.
This design is a combination of form and function as Cartwright has examined the customers’ requirements and designed a solution that meets both the clinical and aesthetic needs while meeting the strict CEN 1789 European safety standard for the construction of ambulances.
Cartwright also had to meet certain technical, financial and quality criteria to be awarded a position on the Sector Framework Agreement. This lasts for between three and five years and allows the company to manufacture ambulances for NHS trust or local authorities.
Wes Linton, Blue Light Development Engineer at Cartwright, commented, “We believe that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was attracted by the Cartwright brand as well as its reputation as an established manufacturer, together with offering a competitive price. We currently produce 80 to 100 units per week and our objective is to be a leading high volume manufacturer in the ambulance sector with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval within the next 18 months.”
For further information visit www.cartwright-group.co.uk/taurus_ambulance.asp
