What Sets AKFS Vehicles Apart: 5 Essential Design Principles

The vehicles you choose are far more than just a way to get from one place to another. They are integral to your daily operations, impacting everything from safety and efficiency to profitability. 

At AKFS, we understand these demands, and that’s why our commercial vehicles are meticulously designed with a focus on practical features that genuinely make a difference. 

We know that a well-equipped vehicle can streamline tasks, enhance safety for your team and the public, and ultimately help your business run more smoothly.

We pour years of experience into crafting vehicles that are not only robust and reliable but also include thoughtful innovations that cater directly to the challenges faced by professionals in multiple sectors. It’s about building vehicles that become trusted partners on every job. Here, we'll explore five key design principles that truly set AKFS’s vehicles apart, highlighting how these elements contribute to better operational outcomes for your business.

1. Robust Chassis and Load-Carrying Capability

The foundation of any effective commercial vehicle, especially in demanding sectors, is a strong and reliable chassis. Our vehicles are built with robust chassis designs that are specifically engineered to handle significant payloads, ensuring stability and safety while transporting heavy equipment.

For example, for businesses in the plant hire industry, this means being able to confidently transport heavy machinery such as diggers, mini-excavators, or large landscaping tools without concern. Our Iveco Daily Heavy Plant Carrier is a prime example, offering exceptional load-carrying capabilities that are essential for the safe movement of substantial plant equipment. Similarly, in other industries such as traffic management, vehicles often need to carry a considerable amount of signage, cones, barriers, and other equipment. The strength of the chassis ensures that these loads can be transported securely and that the vehicle maintains its integrity even when fully laden.

This robust foundation is not just about weight capacity; it also contributes significantly to the vehicle's longevity and overall durability. A strong chassis reduces wear and tear on other components, leading to fewer breakdowns and a longer operational lifespan for your investment. This translates directly into reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs over time, which is a real benefit for any busy fleet.

2. Secure and Efficient Loading Systems

Moving heavy or bulky items safely onto and off a vehicle is a critical aspect of our vehicles. An efficient and secure loading system can drastically reduce the risk of injury to your team and prevent damage to valuable equipment or vehicles. AKFS vehicles incorporate thoughtfully designed loading solutions to make this process as smooth and safe as possible.

Many of our vehicles, such as the Plant & Go® Vehicles for plant hire, feature easy-to-use ramps or low-access designs. These are specifically engineered to provide a gentle incline, making it straightforward to drive or winch equipment onto the load bed. 

This ease of access is a significant advantage, particularly when dealing with heavy or delicate machinery. For instance, the AKFS Ultra® Single Car Transporter uses ramps for easy loading and unloading of vehicles, and its design provides smooth access for vehicles to drive on.

Beyond just ramps, our vehicles also often include integrated securing points, recessed winch systems, and tie-downs. These features ensure that once equipment or other items are loaded, they can be firmly secured to prevent any movement during transit. 

The recessed winch system on the AKFS Ultra® Recovery Transporter, for example, is designed to securely load and unload cars and motorcycles, making it ideal for recovery situations. This meticulous attention to securing loads is paramount for safety on the road and for preventing costly damage, making operations more reliable and secure.

3. Integrated Storage and Organisation

Efficient storage and organisation within a commercial vehicle are often underestimated but are vital for operational efficiency. Across industries, teams need quick and easy access to tools, equipment, and safety gear. Disorganised vehicles lead to wasted time, potential hazards, and even lost items.

Our vehicles address this with clever integrated storage solutions. For instance, the Store & Go® model is specifically designed to provide secure and organised storage compartments, keeping everything from power tools to small components neatly in place and protected from the elements and theft. This means less time spent searching for tools and more time focused on the job.

For businesses in the traffic management industry, this could involve dedicated lockers for cones and signage, or custom racking systems for communication equipment and first-aid kits. For example, the design of our Drop & Go® Urban Traffic Management Vehicle focuses on functionality, allowing crews to set up and remove traffic management systems efficiently. 

Having everything in its place also contributes to a safer working environment, reducing trip hazards and ensuring that emergency equipment is always readily accessible. This focus on intelligent storage and organisation means that your team can work more effectively, whether they are setting up a road closure or preparing equipment for a landscaping job.

4. Enhanced Safety Features

Safety is, without doubt, the most important consideration for any commercial vehicle, particularly those operating in dynamic and often hazardous environments. AKFS places a strong emphasis on integrating a comprehensive suite of safety features into all of our vehicles, protecting both the vehicle occupants and other road users.

Our vehicles incorporate a range of passive and active safety measures. These include features designed to improve visibility, such as strategically placed work lights, LED compact light bars, and rear parking sensors. For instance, the Iveco Daily Crew Cab Car Transporter includes rear parking sensors, work lights, and LED compact light bars to make driving safer in various conditions and to improve visibility. This is particularly beneficial when working during low-light conditions or in busy urban areas where visibility can be compromised.

Beyond external lighting, structural safety is also paramount. Our vehicles are built with robust frameworks and often include features designed to prevent accidents and protect against damage. This might involve strong chassis construction, as mentioned earlier, or specific design elements that absorb impact. For vehicles like the Drop & Go® Traffic Management Vehicles, integrated safety systems are crucial for managing busy work zones. By prioritising these safety features, we help businesses safeguard their most valuable assets: their people.

5. Customisation and Adaptability

While standard features provide a strong base, the ability to customise and adapt a commercial vehicle to truly specific operational needs is a significant advantage. Every business has its own unique way of working, and a vehicle that can be tailored to those particular requirements can deliver substantial improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

At AKFS, we understand that flexibility is key. Our range of vehicles, from Dropside Vehicles to the Load & Go® Grounds Maintenance Vehicle, is designed with a degree of adaptability in mind. This means that while they come with excellent standard features, there's often scope to modify them to perfectly match your workflow. This could involve adding specific racking, specialist equipment mounts, or even bespoke power solutions for tools.

For example, the Ultra® Single Car Transporter is built with customisability to meet specific needs, ensuring damage is minimised. This adaptability allows businesses to truly optimise their fleet, ensuring that each vehicle is not just a mode of transport but a highly functional and integrated part of their operations. Whether it's a unique setup for a particular type of plant equipment or a specialised configuration for a complex traffic management scenario, the ability to customise ensures that your investment works harder for you.

Choosing the right commercial vehicle is a significant decision, and understanding these key features can help you make an informed choice that truly benefits your business. At AKFS, we are dedicated to providing vehicles that are not only high-quality and reliable but also thoughtfully designed to meet the real-world demands of professionals from a range of different industries.

To find out more about how our specialised vehicles can support your business, or to discuss your specific requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly team. 

You can call us on 01246 250022, send an email to sales@advanced-kfs.co.uk, or simply complete our online contact form on our website. We're here to help you find the perfect vehicle solution for your needs.