Halesowen-based TotalKare (www.totalkare.co.uk) — a specialist provider of heavy-duty vehicle-lifting solutions — welcomed a next-generation ‘state of the art’ Van Hool EX16M coach to an event marking a 30-year partnership with Arriva Bus and Coach.

The company showcased its powerful T8AC mobile column lifting system by elevating the vehicle 1.7m off the ground.

Guests were able to view the underneath of the two-axle coach, which has DAF’s Euro 6-compliant MX-11 six-cylinder engine and ZF’s Ecolife automatic transmission.

David Hall, TotalKare’s managing director, said: “We have been working with Arriva Bus and Coach for more than three decades now, and the company has relied on us to provide a range of heavy-duty vehicle-lifting solutions, enabling it to service and repair thousands of vehicles over the years.

“Now it has very kindly brought the next-generation coach technology for us to take a good look at, highlighting how our innovative lifting solutions continue to meet the needs of the sector.”

TotalKare currently has eight sets of lifts in use by Arriva Bus and Coach at workshops in Wellingborough and Cleckheaton.

The firm was recently the subject of an MBO led by Mr Hall, chairman Mike Lord and directors James Radford and Peter Geobey, with the intention of strengthening its position as a provider of heavy-duty workshop solutions.