THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050343
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: 78 lines
Tommy Robinson makes ambulances - one at a time, from the inside out. And for years he has proudly labeled each vehicle a handmade product of Windsor, Va.
Now Robinson can add another label of distinction to his vehicles - Ford Motor Co.'s stamp of approval. Ford has recognized Virginia's only emergency vehicle manufacturer as a ``Qualified Vehicle Modifier.''
Robinson Ambulances Inc. is the 26th ambulance maker in the nation to earn Ford's endorsement. Robinson says it was a hard-fought battle and one that should improve sales.
``QVM is Ford's highest award to vehicle modifiers,'' said Dave Reuter in Ford's office of public affairs. ``It signifies a builder has the engineering capability and process controls in place to modify a Ford chassis in accordance with Ford's demanding engineering requirements.''
Ford builds about 75 percent of the chassis - or framework and motors - used for emergency vehiclesnationwide. Three years ago a volunteer rescue squad in Robinson's home community chose a Ford-certified, out-of-state company over his.
Now, little more than a year after Robinson took over as president, the Windsor-based ambulance company that thrives on handmade quality has joined the big boys. Robinson's father, M.H. Robinson Jr., started the business more than 50 years ago, constructing specialty truck bodies.
``I set goals in April 1995, that within a year I would increase production, increase service, double the work force and acquire one of the certifications necessary to compete with national manufacturers,'' said Robinson, 51. ``Until this came through, I didn't think we were going to do it.''
Now, Robinson has met all of his goals. In the past year, the company has built about a dozen emergency vehicles for clients from Delaware to South Carolina. The company has done about 10 changeovers, transferring cabs equipped with stainless steel, vinyl tubing and everything necessary to treat medical emergencies on the scene to another chassis. Frames and engines usually wear out first.
The number of employees has more than doubled over last year, to nine.
And Robinson Ambulances, previously Robinson Body Works, is still doing all of that with the same, hands-on, one-of-a-kind manufacturing methods the company has used for years.
``If somebody wants a door moved back two inches, for example, we can do that. We have the capabilities of making changes, modifying, giving customers exactly what they want. Our ambulances are not made on an assembly line.''
Ford came through with a plaque, certification, a banner for the shop and blue baseball caps for all employees of the speciality company.
The process to win Ford's favor involved a 3-hour inspection of a Robinson-built unit. Robinson said he was proud that the particular unit that went through the complicated process was taken right off the streets from a nearby rescue squad.
``Throughout the process, we did not have to change, add to or modify anything we were already doing,'' he said. ``I've contended that all along. Now, I have the paperwork to prove it.''
The company also had to create its own forms to go along with guidelines established by Ford and to establish a computer program for warranty follow-up.
Next, Robinson hopes to establish criteria in his small company to conform to federal government regulations for manufacturing emergency vehicles. That could be even more complicated, and it could be costly.
An engineering company in Georgia that works with the qualification program charges $15,000 to inspect the first vehicle, $5,000 for each additional vehicle. The federal certification is required more by municipalities than by volunteer rescue organizations, Robinson said.
But that certification would mean that he could bid from his office looking onto Windsor's Main Street - U.S. Route 460 - on jobs across the country.
``That's within the next 12 months,'' Robinson said, smiling. ``This Ford certification allows me to bid on a lot more contracts. It identifies me as having an excellent product.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
JOHN H. SHEALLY II/The Virginian-Pilot by CNB