Specialist Vehicle conversions and UK support

FSL has a division within the company that designs and builds specialist vehicles for various markets. The primary markets for this side of the business are CVIT (Cash and Valuables In Transit), Pharmaceutical Delivery vehicles and Utility vehicles.

In these fields FSL is the UK market leader in providing the most reliable vehicles whilst at the same time affording the end user with the lowest through life running costs. This is achieved by a rigorous process of understanding the client's requirements and budget and then working with the client to deliver them the correct tool for the job. All conversions are supported in the field by our team of field based engineers who attend clients' depots to maintain the Specialist equipment fitted to the vehicles.

FSL fully understands that no two clients operate their fleets in exactly the same way. This is why all of our vehicle conversions and control systems are specific to each individual customer.

FSL is able to achieve this because we initially require a full understanding of the client's daily operation. Because of the lean manufacturing process’s we follow we are efficient and flexible when it comes to specification changes. A key feature of FSL is that we have our own in house electrical design team who also carry out software writing, software changes as and if required.

There has been a substantial increase over the last 20 years of ever more supplementary electrical equipment being fitted to vehicles. Due to the very complex systems that we design and fit into the market place we have considerable experience in managing electrical requirements.

At FSL every installation follows a strict pre design process to determining the correct power supply required and the ability of the vehicle to be able to manage that supply adequately whilst at the same time limiting any driver input as far as possible. All vehicle conversions are carried out with the aim of providing a product that will provide a reliable, cost effective solution for the life of the asset. The lifetime running cost is paid particular attention to when the initial specification is drawn up prior to agreement.

Field support

At FSL we understand that vehicles cannot always be brought to a workshop especially if they are based around the UK. To this end FSL has it own Field engineers who are based from home covering the whole of the UK.

These engineers carry out routine planned maintenance work on site as well as reactive call outs. Should for any reason a vehicle have the necessity to come into the workshop FSL can arrange nationwide collection and delivery either by our insured drivers or transporter operators.

All field engineers are familiar and trained on all of the products we supply and are additionally also very familiar with many other vehicle types. All vehicles are fully equipped and the engineers are controlled by a dedicated after sales support department.

All customers have a SLA in place, which is the benchmark of the service we provide.

BSI ISO accredited Workshop Service and design facilities

The scope of registration covers vehicle maintenance and design of vehicles and systems By following this process in conjunction with our documented COP (Conformity Of Production) procedures FSL ensures not only the correct product is built but also ensures its compliance with the recent VCA requirements.

VCA - Vehicle Certification Agency

FSL has achieved the status of a recognised N1 Enhancement Scheme Approved Converter which means we have passed the VCA’s high standards to carry out modifications and document accordingly to allow us to self certify specific conversions.

The Process

An initial review is carried out with the client to determine their exact requirements. At this point an understanding is also gained of their operation requirements find issues they may have with the vehicle type they currently operate.

From this point a basic vehicle design is drafted. This is carried out by using AutoCAD software for the vehicle design and layout.

At the second review meeting this design is discussed and verified with the client. At this stage a full review is also carried out with regards to any electrical installations that are to be installed.

Vehicle wiring harness design and panel designs are also carried out in house with the use of specialist software packages. Once these have been verified they are sent to specialist harness and panel manufacturers to be assembled. For smaller volume builds the actual wiring harnesses are manufactured on our premises.

All wiring is documented and then formatted into wiring diagrams for the assembly department and field support engineers.

A final pre-production review is held with the client to confirm specification is correct. The vehicle can now go into production. The vehicle now follows the full COP to ensure compliance.

Bespoke manufacture and design solutions

FSL has the ability to react to short lead times aligned with rapid prototyping to resolve any urgent operational issues. Many of these upgrades have and can be fitted on site by our team of mobile engineers.

In the example below. a custodial vehicle’s escape release hatches were causing false activations for the operators. FSL designed kits for 440 vehicle, produced installation documents and distributed the kits around the UK for local fitment. This was completed in less than three weeks from final design sign off.

Further examples of bespoke solutions

• Large Key capacity safe
• Bespoke racking system
• Collection safe