Workwear manufacturer Ballyclare Limited recently restructured the managed service contract it holds with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), in a move which has enabled the Service to purchase a new vehicle to add to its fleet.
Ballyclare PPE
“We provide a wide range of personal protective equipment to LFRS, and so we were delighted to work with them and create a new model for their managed service contract,” explains Ballyclare’s Managing Director, Carlton Greener.
“The new model now sees all the Ballyclare kit delivered to the central LFRS stores, rather than to each individual station. This is a more efficient way of operating for the LFRS, and it generated a cost saving that allowed the service to purchase the new vehicle, which will now be used on distribution duties amongst other things.”
Joint branding
The Ford Transit Custom now has a joint LFRS – Ballyclare branding, and it carries images of a number of the LFRS firefighters wearing Ballyclare kit. It was presented to the LFRS by the owner of Ballyclare, David Ross. One of the founders of Carphone Warehouse, and founder of the Nevill Holt Opera Festival in Leicestershire, David is an influential figure in business, sport and politics who has connections with the Leicestershire area.
“I’m delighted Ballyclare is able to help out LFRS with this new vehicle,” he explains. “Ballyclare is a world-class supplier of specialist firefighter protective clothing, so I’m happy we’re able to contribute something that’s of real practical value to LFRS, and to the community as a whole. Having real firefighters pictured on the vehicle will help bring home to the public that although our firefighters might see themselves as ordinary people, in reality they do a very special job in helping to protect the rest of us.”
Protective fire kit contract
Steve Lunn, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “Thank you to Ballyclare for renegotiating the protective fire kit contract, which allowed us to purchase the van that the Service will use to ensure a more efficient delivery method. Our relationship with Ballyclare is vital in ensuring our firefighters are issued with protective fire kit to allow them to safely and comfortably carry out their job”.