Totalkare supplies workshop equipment to HATS Group

Totalkare is delighted to confirm the successful installation of cutting-edge workshop equipment in the Croydon workshop of HATS Group. The equipment, which is set to transform the efficiency and reliability of HATS Group’s vehicles, includes two sets of the Totalkare market-leading, T8DC, cable-free mobile column lifts, along with a mobile brake tester, a headlamp tester, a gas analyser and a light commercial tyre changer and wheel balancer.

HATS Group is the leading provider of Patient Transport Services to the NHS and of Home to School Transport Services to Local Authorities. Managing a vast fleet of over over 900,HATS Group orchestrates 2 million passenger movements annually. Safety and reliability are the cornerstone upon which HATS Group built their foundations. It was why, after a comprehensive selection process, they chose a Totalkare solution.

The T8DC mobile column lifts will bring a new level of flexibility to the HATS Group’s maintenance operations. With the capability to be configured in sets of four, six or eight columns — each lifting up to 7,500kg — these lifts can accommodate a diverse range of vehicles in the fleet. The inclusion of tall and short axle stands further enhances versatility, allowing seamless access to wheel arch areas for repairs and servicing. This was critical for HATS Group, who operate a spectrum of vehicles which runs from small minibuses, to 37 seat coaches and through to frontline ambulances.

The HATS Group leadership team were so impressed with the Totalkare solutions, that their investment extended beyond lifting equipment. A newly installed, DVSA-approved, mobile brake tester, capable of handling axle loads up to 16,000kg, streamlines brake testing with tablet operated controls enables tests to be conducted effortlessly from the driver’s seat. Additionally, the inclusion of a DVSA-approved headlamp tester and a Euro 6-compliant gas analyser ensures that their fleet meets stringent safety and emissions standards. To further optimise in-house servicing, the installation of a light commercial tyre changer and wheel balancer simplifies tyre maintenance for workshop technicians.

James Hearty, Director of Fleet Services at HATS Group, highlighted the impact of the new equipment: “The addition of Totalkare’s T8DC mobile column lifts and mobile brake tester is a game-changer for our workshop. The quality, efficiency and reliability of this equipment will significantly enhance our ability to carry out repairs and maintenance in-house. Keeping our fleet fully operational and safe is our top priority, and this investment underscores our commitment to delivering the highest standards of service. Whilst we have started the rollout in our Croydon workshop in South London, we hope to soon announce the expansion of Totalkare solutions to our other workshops across the country.”

James Atkins, Projects Manager for Totalkare, also commented on the installation: “We are delighted to support HATS Group with our industry-leading workshop equipment. The T8DC mobile column lifts and mobile brake tester provide exceptional efficiency and safety, ensuring that vehicle maintenance is as streamlined and effective as possible. At Totalkare, we focus on delivering robust, high-performance solutions tailored to the needs of commercial workshops and PSV depots, and this installation is a prime example of our dedication to that mission.”