remounts and rebuilds , expanding its already comprehensive offering just that bit further . Special features offered include impact rails to mitigate collision force and minimize damage , ‘ overbuilt ’ ambulance walls to maximize impact resistance and passenger safety , and proprietary triple hollow wheel wells to add strength and rigidity to modules .

Meeting high demand

Doug Roethler , Director of Operations at Life Line , sheds some light on the manufacturing

footprint that is required for such an extensive output . “ In relation to the town we operate in , our footprint is fairly large ,” he reveals . “ Across two buildings , our manufacturing facilities measure about 200,000 square feet in size . One is strictly dedicated to production ; the other is our detail room , which includes some office and warehousing space , allowing us to store chassis that are waiting to be built on .”

Within the manufacturing facility , Life Line utilizes five key areas to maximize the efficiency and output of its industry-leading vehicles . Doug explains further : “ First , we have a metals and fabrication area . Here , each vehicle body begins to be built through a process of welding proprietary aluminum extrusions . Up next is the paint department , where we spray the module and repaint the chassis to the desired color . After that , our expert cabinet department will

build units from scratch to go inside the ambulance module .

“ Then , once the module has been built and painted , it will move into our finish department , where we will install cabinets , wiring , and make sure that everything functions as it should ,” he divulges . “ Finally , the ambulance will then pass into our quality control department , enabling our team to carry out final checks and finish any detail work that needs attending to . The vehicle transforms into exactly what the client wants .”

Technology is central to Life Line ’ s manufacturing process . On the plant floor , for instance , the firm is utilizing Manufacturing Resource Planning ( MRP ) and Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) software to more accurately track job hours and measure production efficiencies .

Moving forward , Doug tells us Life Line intends to invest in even more technology and high-end equipment . “ Currently , we are using AutoCAD software and inventor 3D programming to design machines , and we are now in the process of exploring how to better integrate our electrical designs upfront as part of the AutoCAD process ,” he notes .

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