West Yorkshire emergency services specialist to expand production after £10m contract wins

Rosenbauer UK, the emergency services equipment specialist, is increasing production at its West Yorkshire headquarters after securing nearly £10m in orders from fire services across the country.

31 firefighting appliances have been ordered by Brigades from Cornwall to Aberdeen within the past two weeks with a combined value of £9.8m.

15 have been ordered for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service; 11 for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service; 3 for Glasgow Airport Fire Service and 2 for Aberdeen Airport Fire Service.

Oliver North, Rosenbauer UK managing director, said: “With Staffordshire and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Services entrusting us to deliver something exceptional for their individual challenges together with confirmation from Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports, we’re thrilled to be in the position of increasing our production capability to meet all of their incredibly high standards.

“The past three months have provided us with the ultimate reassurance that our strategy in maintaining high product standards with equally high levels of technology for our brave firefighters operating on the front line is the best strategy possible.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have opted for 15, 12-tonne ‘Compact Line’ firefighting trucks to meet their pumping appliance requirement.

These vehicles have been designed to increase the challenge of manoeuvrability around the streets of Cornwall while increasing the volume of water and equipment carried on the trucks. They also boast 2,000 litre water tanks and the latest in small truck, crew cab technology.

Nick Uwins, Rosenbauer UK sales and engineering director, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service on a project which I truly believe will make a huge difference on the front line in Cornwall.”

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service will receive 11 Rosenbauer ATs, of which the first six will be completed and put onto the front line in the Spring of 2018.

The ATs will be built on the Volvo FL chassis and will include the latest technology in terms of pumping, crew cab, equipment stowage and electronics. They also feature the AT Crew Cab complete with revolving steps.

Kevin Sedgwich, Rosenbauer UK’s technical director, commented: “These machines will both raise the bar and set the new tone as the minimum desired standard, for the future of municipal pumping appliance technology.”

“The Volvo FL chassis has quickly become the most commonly used pumping appliance chassis in the UK Fire and Rescue market. With the sheer technology which we’re adding into the AT, and all of our latest features specific to firefighter safety and operational technology, we will strive in proving ourselves as the best possible asset to the front-line firefighter in the UK firefighting technology arena.”

The new orders also include two from Scottish airports, for the new Rosenbauer PANTHER. Following recent orders from Belfast and Shannon, airports in Glasgow and Aberdeen are adding the vehicle, complete with the Rosenbauer STINGER high reach extendable turret, to their fleets.

Glasgow Airport have chosen three new 6x6 PANTHERs while Aberdeen Airport has opted for two short wheel base 6x6 PANTHERs.

Oliver North, added: “Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports both had the requirement to add high reach extendable turrets to their respective fire appliance fleets. The PANTHER and STINGER combination has proved to be a firefighter favourite in the UK, particularly over the past 12 months, and we’re delighted to have been appointed as their vehicle of choice following a robust and thorough selection process.”