VLT brake testers roll on during Covid-19 crisis
Workshop equipment provider VL Test Systems (VLT) has reported that it has remained open during the coronavirus emergency, with the same business hours, in order to support the transport industry, emergency services and Ministry of Defence (MOD).
The company is a major UK supplier and installer of brake testing equipment for commercial vehicle garages, and designs, develops and manufactures its own brake test equipment from a purpose-built factory in the Netherlands.
This allows VLT to ensure that the quality is always to the highest standards, says the firm, and that roller brake testing machine development is in line with the advances in technology.
While the requirement for annual testing has been suspended for HGVs and other vehicles, they still have to be roadworthy, VLT points out.
“Customers like Scania, Tesco, Gist, Volvo, Sainsbury, Western Power and hundreds of commercial operators have all benefited from our engineers helping to keep their vehicles on the road in these unprecedented times,” said the firm.
“Early in March 2020, we were contacted by the MOD to ensure we would be able to help the UK-wide mobilisation that was coming up because of the coronavirus lockdown.
“We are proud to say that we have not missed one job. Our engineers have all got to site with the parts they need at the time requested.
“VLT engineers have always been acknowledged in the brake testing industry as the best – willing to go that extra mile and always there to help.
“The engineers, office staff and managers, like most, have families with elderly parents and young children and all of the concerns that go along with that. We are so proud of our team that in these difficult times, we have not missed a beat. It is an honour to have such a brilliant team working at VLT. Well done, everyone…
“VLT plans to come out of the Covid-19 crisis as strong as it went into it.”
The company reports that it has had to change parts of its marketing and sales strategy due to exhibitions and shows being cancelled; however, it says its focus remains on offering a first-rate sales experience, and customers can still call or email VLT via the contact details on the website to discuss their needs.
VLT’s extensive brake testing range is suitable for HGVs, vans, cranes, buses and rescue vehicles, whether for garage, workshop or authorised testing facility (ATF) applications.
“The roller brake testers are fully computerised, bi-directional, counter-rotational, feature roller locking, and come complete with the DVSA database as well as lifetime updates of this,” said the company.
The roller brake testers can be one-man or two-man operation depending on specification, and the sub frames and roller brakes casings are all hot-dip galvanised for increased durability and quality, says the firm. As a result, VLT offers a lifetime warranty on the rollers as well as providing a five-year warranty on the brake testing motor and gearbox.
Alongside the roller brake testers, VLT also supplies a variety of additional garage and test equipment including headlight beam testers (HBTs), diesel smoke meters, wireless wheel play detectors (WPDs), axle load simulators, pit jacks and all other ATF required equipment and tools.
“VLT’s experienced team can also assist with the planning and installation of your ATF, including assisting you in obtaining the necessary DVSA approvals and sign-off,” said the firm.
The company has its own dedicated factory-trained and highly experienced team of service engineers located throughout the UK, which it says ensures that the servicing and calibration of roller brake testers and other equipment is completed in a timely manner and to high standards.
“VLT also have their own dedicated and highly trained roller brake installation team, as well as their own lorry, which ensures that the roller brake equipment is always delivered and installed by their own staff, providing a high quality installation every time.”
In addition to the long-standing relationship that VLT has with the DVSA, its key roller brake customers also include the likes of MC Truck, TIP Trailers, Asda, Gist, Biffa, Scania and Volvo.
Meanwhile, VLT’s relationship with the MOD sees it servicing roller brake testers and other test equipment at a large number of UK bases, as well as in overseas locations such as Afghanistan, Canada, Gibraltar and the Falklands.
