Top Fleet now at Van Line NI

Van Line NI are more than honored to be the new agent for Top Fleet glazing racks in Northern Ireland.

From their humble beginnings in 1988, when just two men worked with the most basic of tools, Top Fleet has grown from strength to strength! It didn't just happen by accident, it took a lot of team effort and ideas to get where we they are now, and there not done yet the future seems bright.

The company started in a small workshop in the heart of Wolverhampton, producing steel roof racks and frails. These steel racks were nice and strong but a little on the heavy side. This lead to their first good idea, building the glass frails from aluminium. Top Fleet couldn't just use off the shelf box section and angle as it wasn't strong enough without creating extra bulk. They sat down, drew on their experience and feedback from their happy customers to design a set of aluminium extrusion unique to Top Fleet that was strong, yet lightweight, functional and aerodynamic. Ten years of fine tuning later in the turn of the century we have the basic design we use today. You can't go wrong with a product that has been tried and tested for over twenty years.

In 2005 is when Top Fleet had their first independent safety testing, carried out by Ceram. Top Fleet were sure they had the balance of weight and strength spot on but wanted to make it official. Of course their frails flew through the test proving they could carry over two tons per metre before they failed. This suggested that your average Ford Transit Glass Frail would carry six tons of glass and windows. Which is quite impressive but the whole payload of the van is only a ton and a half. Well at least they knew they were offering a safe quality product even if it was stronger than the van. Top Fleet decided that commonsense should prevail and the safe load on the exterior of a vehicle should be no more than 10% of the GVW. All Top Fleet racks are stamped with a SWL to help you stay the right side of the law and the boys from VOSA. Remember Top Fleet racks are tested to be strong but they have also been tested to be light. A glass rack on a LWB Transit only weighs about 70 kgs, now that's impressive.

Top Fleet hit their first snag on 11th February 2007 when a fire destroyed the entire works. Not to be beaten Top Fleet pulled themselves together, found new premises, restocked and commenced production within 14 days. This was no mean feat but it was well worth it. The fire was a great opportunity to implement new processes to make their racks and frails the best they could be. Top Fleet also had a change round of leadership, Jonathan had been with the company for nine years and was promoted to general manager. He had grown up with the company and was the best choice for the role bringing fresh ideas and a service orientated approach.

Over recent years the company, their products and their service have come along leaps and bounds. Top Fleet glass racks are brimming with safety features such as the rack protector system, SWL signage and test certificates. The company has grown too, winning an award, doubling Top Fleet glazing van hire fleet and sponsoring local sporting events helping to support future glaziers.

For more information or to get a quote for a glazing rack for you van please call Van Line NI today on (+44) 028 97 521 756 or email info@vanline-ni.com.