When Richard Steel and Partners, Winchester’s family owned funeral directors, needed to modify their removal vehicle, they put in a call to Superior Automotive UK for a bespoke decking solution.
“We had been a customer of the Smith family for many years and had always been very happy using them,” said Iain Steel of Richard Steel and Partners. “When we realised that we needed to install a completely customised decking system into the Ford Galaxy we use as a removal vehicle, Superior UK were the only people who could deliver the solution we needed to our timescale.”
Not only did funeral vehicle specialists Superior UK meet Iain’s important deadline for the vehicle modification, but the team did so with the customer service levels and attention to detail for which they are renowned.
“We knew that the finished vehicle would have to fit both a fully-wheeled and a traditional Model 11 stretcher,” explained Iain. “Kevin went to great lengths to ensure the job was done meticulously: measuring the stretchers before designing the decking system, and borrowing identical stretchers before fitting the final details, to make completely sure all the rollers and stops were in perfect alignment.”
Founded in 1860, Richard Steel and Partners are the fourth-generation funeral directors of Winchester. “It is important for us that we use a people-carrier type vehicle, rather than a private ambulance,” he said. “The modified Ford Galaxy has been well received by families and nursing homes. The help Superior UK gave us with the exact modification and finish of the vehicle certainly helps us achieve the look and style of vehicle we wish to present.”
Superior Automotive UK manufactured an estate-type split folding decking system for the Ford Galaxy people carrier, which accommodates one collapsible and one first-call stretcher. As an additional option, the driver’s side folds away to enable three bearers to travel at a time. The whole decking system neatly retracts into the boot area.
Kevin Smith of Superior UK said the job was a detailed and enjoyable one to complete for Richard Steel and Partners: “Not having built a deck recently for a Ford Galaxy, we set about building one from scratch to Iain’s specification. In order to ensure a secure load each time, we tailored the wheel and handle cups to the equipment which Richard Steel and Partners will use with the vehicle. This deck is available in a choice of finishes, and Iain chose a durable grey finish.”
Richard Steel and Partners run a sizeable fleet of funeral vehicles, with all their limousines and hearses being Mercedes Benz models supplied by Superior UK.
You can find us at Superior Automotive UK on Twitter and Superior Automotive UK on Facebook. For more about us please go to our main website – Superior Automotive UK.