In a relationship that spans nearly 15 years, AL-KO Kober Limited – the leading manufacturer of vehicle chassis systems for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries – has been working in partnership with AKFS to develop chassis for a range of vehicles, from recovery vehicles and car transporters, to commercial vehicle solutions for grounds maintenance, tool hire and traffic management vehicles.
Commenting for AKFS, managing director Ian Knight says: “The collaboration started in 2003 when we approached AL-KO Kober to buy a chassis conversion for our Ultra Car Transporter, and things have evolved since.
“That vehicle is still very much part of our portfolio, but the chassis has evolved and is now tailored to our requirements. Our vehicles are also approved exclusively in the UK by AL-KO Kober and PSA for the conversion of low-floor traffic management, car transporter and lawn mower carrying vehicles.”
Design to optimise carry capacity and offer the ultimate payload, the Ultra Car Transporter is a 3.5-ton gross weight vehicle that, thanks to its ultra-lightweight but integrally strong Type-approved chassis conversion, offers 1,660kg of payload.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a company spokesperson says: “Typical company/fleet cars such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Ford Mondeo all fit on the AKFS Ultra Car Transporter, so it’s a popular choice as a dealer-transfer, bodyshop or light-recovery vehicle, where operators can be assured that they are transporting vehicles legally on a chassis conversion, rather than a chassis cab from the manufacturer.”
AL-KO Kober’s low-profile chassis solution also means AKFS has been able to reduce the overall deck height, enabling vehicles with lower front and rear spoilers to be easily loaded. Additionally, an extended wheelbase provides better weight distribution over the front and rear axles; and rear torsion bar suspension improves driving characteristics when loaded.
Depending on a customer’s specification, Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot or Volkswagen cab units are delivered to AL-KO Kober’s facility in Warwickshire where the lightweight, ultra-low chassis conversion is installed. These Type-approved vehicles are then delivered to AKFS where the specified bodywork is fitted, tailored to customer’s requirements and built without compromise.
“The partnership with AL-KO Kober has meant that we can concentrate our design resources on producing solutions that are built without compromise and fit our customers’ requirements. We simply couldn’t manufacture a chassis solution that is as well-engineered, cost-effective or lightweight a solution ourselves.”
For further information on its vehicle chassis solution visit www.alko-tech.com/en, email info@alko-tech.com or call 01926 818500.
Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham, 24-26 April 2018, Stand 5C40
AL-KO Kober Limited - the leading manufacturer of premium components for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries - will be using the CV Show to showcase its range of LCV Chassis solutions and complementary products, with its stand featuring commercial vehicle conversions from companies including Mark Harris and Advanced KFS Special Vehicles.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, David Kirkley says: "2018 is looking like a bumper year for AL-KO and we go to the CV Show having just signed a high-value contract with Mark Harris for the exclusive supply of chassis conversions for its low-floor, Luton box body vehicles. This will see us partner with the UK's leading manufacturer of this style of box body; and allow us to engineer bespoke LCV Chassis solutions that are designed and tested specifically for their range of vehicles.
The contract will see AL-KO Kober deliver over 200 chassis conversions on back-2-back cabs in 2018, with the expectation for the AL-KO and Mark Harris partnership to build and supply an increased number of units in 2019.
The AL-KO Kober stand will also feature a traffic management vehicle from Advanced KFS Special Vehicles, a company that has a long relationship with AL-KO having partnered on numerous commercial vehicle solutions since the launch of its Ultra Car Transporter in 2003.
Commenting for Advanced KFS, managing director Ian Knight says: "The partnership with AL-KO Kober has enabled us to concentrate our design resources on producing solutions that fit our customers' requirement. We simply couldn't manufacture a lightweight chassis solution that is as well-engineered, tested and as cost-effective a solution ourselves."
AL-KO Kober's experience in lightweight vehicle chassis design and development ensures that by using lighter materials and engineering techniques to strengthen individual chassis components, the company delivers improvements to the overall efficiency of the vehicle, with its Light Commercial Vehicle chassis solutions being designed to replace those shipped as standard by commercial vehicle OEMs.
"Our LCV Chassis conversions are already proven in reducing whole-life operating costs by increasing output and productivity, thus enabling fleet managers to increase profits over the lifetime of their fleet." says David.
From box body low floor luton vans and low-profile car transporters, to larger plant-carrying vehicles, AL-KO Kober's chassis conversions deliver distinct advantages over standard vehicle options by offering increased load space and payload levels, while retaining a high torsional strength. AL-KO's new LCV chassis conversions are available for Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën and Volkswagen units; and can be up to 145kg lighter than some of the OEM-built vehicles.
With innovative low-frame designs, tandem-axle assemblies and wide-gauge chassis, the extensive LCV Chassis range allows customers to adapt fleets to suit almost any application and significantly improve vehicle performance, road handling and driver safety. Hot-dip galvanised frame parts guarantee optimal corrosion protection, while bolted frame parts offer a service-friendly solution and ensure shorter downtimes for repairs and maintenance.
For further information on its range of LCV Chassis conversion, visit AL-KO Kober on stand 5C40, visit www.alko-tech.com/en, email marketing@alko-tech.com or call 01926 818500.
AL-KO Kober Limited – the leading manufacturer of premium components for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries – has appointed David Kirkley as Commercial AMC Sales Manager.
David’s responsibilities will include supporting existing and generating new Commercial AMC (commercial vehicle chassis systems) customers and generating, supporting and developing customers and wholesalers in AL-KO’s towing and trailer components sector.
No newcomer to the company, David was appointed as sales manager for Bradley Doublelock (an AL-KO Kober company) in 2014 and played an important role in the recent relocation and integration of the company into AL-KO Kober’s UK headquarters in Warwickshire.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a spokesperson says: “As an internal appointment, we can be sure that David hits the ground running in his new role. He brings experience and a proven track record to his new role; and I am sure he will continue to consistently deliver growth in this business development role.”
David has a degree in mechanical engineering, is a Chartered Engineer and member of the IMechE. His work experience has also seen him work for Tier 1 suppliers to commercial vehicle OEMs, including responsibilities for design phases on Ford Transits and project management for turbo systems for Mercedes-Benz models.
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it will be attending this September’s 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hannover, Germany. The Company will promote products from its Industrial division, which has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing solutions for the monitoring and control of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector.
The Industrial division includes a number of established specialist business units with expertise in the design, testing and manufacture of a range of components and sub-system solutions for the safe and reliable operation and control of mobile and static machinery including on- and off-highway vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, military vehicles and motorsport.
Arens Controls
Arens Controls designs and manufactures a range of operator interface control systems and power management products – including manual transmission shift controls, by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems, power inverters and power distribution modules. Many of these systems can be found in applications in the rapidly developing hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles, and agricultural and off-highway equipment.
Penny + Giles
The extensive Penny & Giles range of rotary, tilt and linear position sensors offers angle measurements from 10° to 360°and stroke length measurements from 5mm to 2000mm; they have been developed to meet the operating requirements of many position-sensing applications in the automotive and industrial sectors. Using Hall-effect, inductive or potentiometric technologies, sensors are packaged in compact or rugged housings with IP68 and IP69K environmental protections and mountings that give users a wide range of flexible installation options. The company also offers a range of solenoids and solenoid valves that include standard and configurable designs and styles that can be modified to suit specific applications or custom-designed for large scale OEM applications.
Williams Controls
Williams Controls is a global market leader in electronic throttle control systems for commercial, off-road, heavy-duty or recreational vehicle applications. The business also designs throttle systems to meet the most demanding specifications and its ergonomic designs include floor and firewall mounting configurations, optional kick down and customizable treadle covers. In addition, the company manufactures a standard range of electronic throttle controls that can minimize tooling costs for many applications. Williams Controls can also take basic ergonomic, dimensional, electrical and aesthetic requirements from OEMs; and provide a complete custom design service. The design, development and product qualification are all part of the customization process.
Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division is a recognized leader in the production of critical controls and assemblies for specialty vehicles, including sensors, electronic throttle controls and joysticks. For further information about products and other innovative solutions available from Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, please visit www.cw-industrial.com or call +44 (0)1425 271444.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
