NAA Event Review: Event Review – O&H Vehicle Conversions
Our latest networking event last month saw us visit Goole-based NAA member O&H Vehicle Conversions, where we were hosted by Managing Director Mark Brickhill and his team.
O&H’s 64,000 sq. ft. site is home to the UK’s most experienced team of ambulance builders with flexible production lines, QC inspection areas, and unrivalled servicing. They also have an industry-leading manufacturing capacity of over 1,000 vehicles per year and are proud to continuously drive quality and positive environmental practices into daily life, evidenced by their conformity to both ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards, alongside investment in state-of-the-art technology, including CNC machines, 3D printers for rapid prototyping, and laser cutters.
Delegates learned that O&H is a premium manufacturer of emergency vehicles with a legacy of 37 years in the industry – the UK’s largest and oldest emergency vehicle manufacturer. They collaborate with a wide range of OEMs for the basis of their conversions, including Ford, JLR, Stellantis, and various Volkswagen Group brands.
Mark Brickhill explained how O&H specialises in the design and manufacture of emergency vehicles for a range of environments. These include:
• Double-Crewed Ambulance (Van and Box) – supplied to the UK National Health Service (NHS).
• Patient Transport Service – an adaptable vehicle allowing patients to be transported via a stretcher, wheelchair, or seated – this can be supplied with either ICE or electric drivelines
• Off-Road Ambulance – built on the INEOS Grenadier platform for Search and Rescue teams to respond in difficult terrain
• Patrol & Response Vehicles (Police & Ambulance) – lightweight and agile vehicles equipped to meet a range of situations
• Bespoke Builds – such as a command-and-control drone vehicle with welfare facilities and full internet connectivity on armoured ambulances.
Mark went on to explain to delegates how O&H’s Double Crewed Ambulance, built for the National Health Service (NHS), has been designed, manufactured and certified to Whole Vehicle Type Approved (WVTA) standards. This independent inspection and testing by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) ensures that O&H’s vehicles are built to the highest quality and safety standards for both passengers and operators.
Mark then gave an overview of two recent innovations:
• The O&H ecoCOOLTM system (Patent Pending) is an innovative new product that will allow for an ambulance to continue running the AC whilst idle for extended periods of time, which across a 500-vehicle fleet, can amount to up to 6,800 tonnes of CO2 saving annually.
• O&H’s Resysten System (OHRS) is an invisible, antimicrobial coating designed to provide continuous surface disinfection for up to 12 months. Applied via a professional electrostatic spray, it creates a durable barrier that helps reduce harmful pathogens between regular cleaning cycles
Finally, delegates were given a full guided tour of O&H’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, where they had the opportunity to view a wide range of vehicles across the various stages of the production build cycle.
