KME rolls out GSF Slides Across Fleet
Added: (Tue May 19 2009)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
As one of the US’s largest manufacturer’s of commercial and custom designed chassis, KME Fire Apparatus builds a full range of bodies designed to tackle all aspects of Fire and Rescue. Unlike our own services US brigades are not centralised by government, which is reflected in the varying chassis configurations seen throughout the US. Therefore unique, custom designed chassis are not the exception they’re the rule and British suppliers need to consider this difference.
One company who has managed to adapt is GSF Slides, whose cold drawn steel slides are used throughout the UK and Europe’s blue light and fire industries. Andrew Yenser, Rescue Product Development manager at KME explains: “It was the strength and quality of the GSF slides that caught our attention; both are qualities to which we build our apparatus.”
Indeed, KME’s apparatus range is so extensive, from Rescue vehicles to Pumpers, that such a decision cannot be taken lightly. “Prior to offering GSF products on our apparatus,” continues Andrew, “an evaluating committee at KME thoroughly reviewed the materials, mechanics, serviceability and availability of the slides. Approving new products by committee allow KME to ensure components meet both our safety and quality requirements.”
“Currently the slides are being integrated onto our Rescue trucks and then to the balance of our product lines. The first GSF product we will be using will be the slide and tilt rollers and we will be later adding the RA5R and RA7R slide assemblies to production.”
KME’s production is by no means simple; in addition to Rescue vehicles, the company also custom manufacturers its own custom chassis, pumpers, tankers, aerials, and airport crash rescue vehicles. The rescue product group alone comes with 300 custom cab configurations, including a host of other specs like Light Towers, Cascade systems, Generators and other walk-round / walk-in body structures.
This is where GSF Slides have really come into their own; apart from their ability move heavy equipment directly to where it’s needed, GSF slides are easy to install and maintain. Andrew Yenser Concludes: “One of the key benefits for us is that the installation of the product has been easy to integrate into our production. The strength and reliability of the GSF products allow us to offer an additional component to enhance the safety and efficiency which our customers require from our apparatus.”