RB hands over ambulance work
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• Reeve Burgess is handing over its ambulance work to its sister company Mellor Coachcraft so that it can concentrate on its bus, mini coach and welfare products.
It expects its welfare work to account for at least 20% of its anticipated 430-unit output this year. "We believe that the ambulance work is now better suited to Mellor," says Reeve Burgess managing director David Quainton.
He explains that since ambulance work was moved from a dedicated site to the main factory in Chesterfield last June, ambulance staff have often been pulled off their work to help clear volume bus and coach orders.
These have included a 52-vehicle order from London Buses for its new Pointer bus body. All of the ambulance production staff have been kept on.
On average, Reeve Burgess produced about three ambulances a week. Mellor plans to sell about 50 this year and produces more than 300 vehicles a year at its site in Rochdale, specialising in mini, midi and welfare vehicles.
"We believe that the ambulance market has potential and are looking hard at the manufacture of both front and second-line ambulances, whether coach built or van conversions," says Mellor Coachcraft's general manager Les Proctor.
He says that Mellor already has strong links with local authorities through its welfare work. "The move fits in well with our existing business as we already cater for the caring sector of the market," he says.