3 minute read
Venari Group to create 100 new jobs in Ford alliance
Venari Group, the West Yorkshire emergency service vehicle provider, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ford to build a new lightweight frontline ambulance.
The new emergency vehicle is set to be produced at Ford Dagenham and will support the creation of around 100 jobs when the planned new facility starts production in 2022.
The new Ford Venari alliance takes the partnership of the two businesses to the next level, following the unveiling of Project Siren in February this year. Based on the Ford Transit chassis cab and developed under Project Siren, the lightweight ambulance was designed with input from industry experts and frontline medical teams.
Venari Group & Ford are set to build a new lightweight ambulance at Ford Dagenham, supporting the creation of around 100 jobs / Picture: Ford of Britain/Venari Group
The Ford Venari ambulance is intended to be produced at a new facility in Ford Dagenham from 2022, utilising an existing, non-production location that will be refreshed to accommodate its manufacturing requirements.
Integral to Ford Pro, Ford’s new business for distribution and services, the Ford Venari alliance marks the start of plans to grow and develop opportunities with key conversions partnerships, ensuring customers from every vocation have access to specialised vehicles.
Oliver North, chief executive officer of Venari Group, said: “Following the truly incredible engineering achievements displayed by Ford at the Dagenham facility during the VentilatorChallengeUK project, the next chapter for Dagenham provides a continuation in production of life saving machines, with our next generation ambulance. The Ford Venari alliance will drive efficiency in production of the Transit-based front-line ambulance, whilst essentially creating new jobs.
Paul Baynes, manager, marketing and sales – Ford Pro Vehicle Solutions, Ford of Europe, added: “We’re delighted to be making this important announcement today. The Ford Venari alliance builds on Ford’s plans to re-establish its presence in the UK ambulance market by working with the UK’s leading ambulance builder, and supports our wider ambition of growing Ford’s market presence through strategic alliances with key vehicle converters.”
Production of the new ambulance at Ford Dagenham is due to start in 2022 / Picture: Venari Group
Project Siren lightweight ambulance
Project Siren used an agile, collaborative process and direct customer input from NHS Ambulance Trusts to create the Ford Venari lightweight ambulance, which is designed to improve patient treatment and ease of use for paramedics. Advanced digital connectivity supports efficient restocking and vehicle maintenance, while the lightweight design helps reduce emissions and operating costs associated with using heavier vehicles.
The new lightweight ambulance design is compliant with the national specification advocated by the Lord Carter Report, offering all the equipment and capability of a frontline ambulance within a 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight. The lightweight design has also been developed to provide a futureproof solution for ambulance operators looking to transition to zero-emission fleets.
More details on the Ford Venari alliance will be announced in due course.