Engineer invests to produce ‘Covid-safe’ welfare vehicles

Leeds-based auto engineering and vehicle safety specialist SM UK has invested £200,000 to develop a fleet of Covid-safe vehicles.

These have been designed to provide workers with a secure and virus-free environment to eat and keep clean while working on remote sites.

The first vehicles of their kind to be produced in Yorkshire, each welfare van is equipped with features such as sanitising stations, toilet facilities, a kitchen area and seating.

SM UK managing director, Steve MacDonald, said: “There is a growing demand for welfare vans as a result of Covid and this will help us reach new markets, as well as expand our offering to existing clients.

“Safety is always at the forefront of everything we do, from our crash-tested seats to hand-sanitising stations.

“Many of our customers are in the construction industry and these vehicles are valuable assets for sites.

“They provide a great, Covid-secure base for anyone working in highway maintenance, rail, utilities, remote locations, or for teams working across different sites.”

Alongside welfare areas, the new vans will be equipped with a roof-mounted solar panel to help cut emissions, oil use and engine wear.

As well as developing its own fleet, SM UK is offering conversions for businesses with their own vans.

MacDonald said: “We expanded into bespoke van conversions a few years ago, offering customisable solutions from a single van to a nationwide fleet.

“Now, with the addition of the welfare features, we can install racking, lighting, safety equipment and more while taking into account the van’s uses, allowing us to transform it into exactly what the company needs for business.”