NEWS
At Clarks Vehicle Conversions, we recognise that Type Approval is crucial for ensuring vehicle safety, compliance, and performance. It’s a comprehensive certification process that verifies vehicles and their modifications adhere to stringent legislative standards, allowing them to be used legally on the road. Type Approval certifies a representative sample, then Conformity of Production ensures that subsequent vehicles are produced to the same approved design without the need for individual vehicle approval, facilitating efficiency and consistency.
We also recognise that Type Approval can be confusing and easily misunderstood, and as such, you can be sometimes misled when it comes to what you require for your fleet to be converted correctly. That's why we produced the very well received and informative document “Introduction To Type Approval” which breaks down the basics and puts it into a much more palatable/understandable format.
Enhanced Safety Compliance
From our extensive experience at Clarks, we understand the paramount importance of safety. Type Approval provides the assurance that every vehicle and modification we handle meets rigorous safety standards. The vehicles undergo detailed testing to ensure crashworthiness and structural integrity when it comes to the safe integration of added components like seats and restraints. This process guarantees that our conversions adhere to safety regulations, making them legal and safe to operate on the roads.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Type Approval offers significant benefits in terms of efficiency and cost compared to the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process. Instead of requiring independent individual inspections for each modified vehicle, Type Approval allows us to certify a batch based on a representative sample. This streamlined approach reduces administrative work and minimises costs, allowing us to focus on producing high-quality conversions. By eliminating repetitive inspections and administrative tasks associated with IVA our customers often receive their converted vehicles much quicker. Plus with being certified correctly, they can potentially reduce their road tax, registration fees and insurance.
Consistency and Quality Assurance
Ensuring uniform quality across all vehicles in a batch is a critical aspect of Type Approval that aligns perfectly with Clarks’ commitment to excellence. Conformity of Production (CoP) is certification by the VCA that we are competent in producing vehicle conversions which are the same as the original approved design. Type Approval and CoP together help maintain consistent safety and performance standards, which is essential for the reliability and predictability of our vehicle conversions. This consistency is particularly beneficial compared to the IVA process, where individual assessments might introduce variability. At Clarks, we leverage Type Approval to ensure that every vehicle meets the same high standards of quality and safety.
Market Access and Customer Trust
Type Approval facilitates easier market entry and enhances customer trust in our conversions. This widespread acceptance and the rigorous standards behind Type Approval build greater customer trust, as it demonstrates that our vehicles have met the highest regulatory and safety standards. For Clarks, this means our customers can rely on us to deliver vehicles that not only meet their needs but also comply with the stringent requirements necessary for legal and safe operation.
“We choose to work with Clarks not only due to the quality of their product but because their expert knowledge of Type Approval gives us peace of mind and makes the process efficient and cost effective.”
Alex McKinlay - RSK Group Fleet Manager
Early Adoption and Leadership
At Clarks, our journey with Type Approval began in 2013 when we became one of the first converters in the UK to achieve this certification. This early adoption was a significant milestone that demonstrated our dedication to vehicle safety and compliance. Over the years, we have continued to innovate, leading to our recognition as the first converter to be awarded the updated GB Medium Series Approval. This pioneering spirit reflects our commitment to setting and maintaining high standards in vehicle conversion.
Emphasis on Safety and Quality
Our focus on safety and quality is evident through our certification for Conformity of Production by the VCA. This certification confirms that our quality management systems consistently produce compliant vehicle conversions, ensuring adherence to the approved designs. Every conversion undergoes thorough inspections and rigorous quality checks before leaving our centre, guaranteeing that each vehicle meets the highest safety standards. This rigorous approach underscores our reputation as a reliable provider of high-quality vehicle conversions.
Family Values and Customer-Centric Approach
As a family-run business with 40 years of experience in welfare conversions, our ethos at Clarks has always been rooted in our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our motto, "Converting Vehicles Correctly (CVC)," reflects our dedication to delivering safe and compliant vehicle conversions that meet the diverse needs of our clients. This focus on doing things right, coupled with our extensive experience, makes Clarks the most trusted producer of Welfare Vehicle conversions in the UK. Our customers can rest assured that they are partnering with a company that prioritises their safety and satisfaction in every aspect of vehicle conversion.
"Before we start any new project our first thought is always compliance - this is our bedrock. Clarks isn’t a faceless company, my name is above the door and the buck stops with me. I would hate to think that my name was associated with anything that wasn’t safe.”
Paul Clark - Owner/Director
Depth of Knowledge and Experience
At Clarks, our expertise in Type Approval is built on a foundation of deep knowledge and extensive experience. Our specialist team understands the intricacies of Type Approval and vehicle conversion, ensuring that each project meets the latest standards and regulations. This understanding allows us to innovate continuously and maintain our leadership position in the industry. Our ability to navigate the complexities of Type Approval enables us to deliver solutions that are not only compliant but also cutting-edge, reflecting our commitment to excellence.
Efficient and Customer-Oriented Processes
We have developed a 10-Stage Process at Clarks that ensures each vehicle conversion meets Type Approval requirements efficiently and effectively. This process covers every aspect, from initial design to final inspection and delivery, ensuring that we deliver high-quality conversions on time. Our expertise in logistics management allows us to coordinate directly with manufacturers for vehicle delivery and collection, making the entire process seamless and hassle-free for our clients. This streamlined approach underscores our commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience.
Commitment to Quality and Safety
Our conversions undergo rigorous in-vehicle testing to ensure that components like seats and restraints perform safely under real-world conditions. This commitment to thorough testing and adherence to Type Approval and CoP standards guarantees that every conversion is compliant with regulatory requirements, enhancing safety and reliability. At Clarks, we take pride in our meticulous attention to detail, which ensures that every vehicle conversion we deliver upholds the highest standards of quality and safety.
Time-Saving Solutions
We understand the importance of budget efficiency and time-saving for our clients. By providing a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) with each conversion, we eliminate the need for additional inspections, saving our clients valuable time. This approach helps accelerate the deployment of vehicles, making Clarks a time-efficient choice for vehicle conversions.
Type Approval offers distinct advantages over the IVA process, making it a more effective solution for ensuring vehicle safety and compliance.
Simplified Approval Process
Type Approval requires in depth inspection and testing of a representative sample for certification, unlike IVA, which demands individual inspections for each vehicle. This batch approval system reduces repetitive testing and simplifies the process, making it more efficient and less burdensome. At Clarks, we find that this approach allows us to streamline our operations and deliver conversions faster and more effectively.
Consistency and Reliability
Type Approval ensures uniform standards across all vehicles in a batch, providing greater consistency and reliability compared to IVA’s individual inspections. At Clarks, this consistency is crucial for delivering high-quality, reliable vehicle conversions that meet our clients' expectations. The uniformity achieved through Type Approval minimises variability and ensures that every vehicle adheres to the same high standards, enhancing overall reliability.
Market Acceptance and Reach
Type Approved vehicles enjoy broader acceptance across various markets, facilitating easier sales and registration compared to IVA-certified vehicles. This market flexibility allows Clarks to serve a wider range of clients, offering solutions that are readily accepted and trusted. The standardised certification provided by Type Approval enhances our credibility and the appeal of our conversions, making them a preferred choice for customers seeking reliable and compliant vehicles.
Type Approval, with Conformity of Production, is integral to ensuring vehicle safety, compliance, and consistency, and at Clarks Vehicle Conversions, we excel in this domain. Our extensive experience, innovative solutions, and customer-focused approach make us leaders in the industry. The benefits of Type Approval over IVA, including efficiency and market acceptance, highlight its superiority as a compliance strategy. By choosing Clarks, customers are assured of high-quality, safe, and compliant vehicle conversions, making us a trusted partner in the automotive industry.
