Airport Business - 31

COVER STORY
we come in and do training on all their
equipment and get their operators
up to speed," he said. "During long
summers a lot of guys might forget and
a lot of airports also have new people
or seasonal employees."
Airports need to adapt snow and
ice removal plans when they move to
multitasking equipment. It can change
patterns for removal and grouping given
how much faster it can removal snow.
"We come in and actually update their
snow plans for them," Luke said.
Luke recommended said airports
need to consider storage for multitasking
equipment given its larger than
traditional equipment. Available storage
space will dictate the equipment an
airport can purchase.
"Believe me, it'll cause a headache if
you don't think about it," he said. "You
can't fit it through doors or you can't fit
it inside, which is a must if they're using
grant money to purchase the equipment."
Since the mid 1990's Fortbrand
Services has been marketing and selling
the Vammas PSB and ST/SB line of
airfield snow removal systems as well
as the Beam, Prinoth, Bergkamp and
Wille line of multi-tasking maintenance
equipment to airports throughout
North America.
The Vammas PSB 5500 multitasking snow removal system was one
of the first multi-tasking snow removal
vehicle of its type to come from Europe
and is still operating at most of the largest
hub airports in U.S. and Canada.
With the use of its plow, broom and
air blast, this equipment revolutionized
snow removal processes throughout the
nation. Andy Perrone, vice president
airport maintenance equipment,
Fortbrand Services, said during the
"Do more with less" years, this was the
answer to a quick and efficient runway
and taxiway snow removal program
while at the same time significantly
reducing occupancy times on the airfield
operating area.
Fortbrand Services now has over 200
Vammas Snow removal systems operating
in North America and twice that many
in Europe. A well proven snow and ice
removal system.
"When airports decide to look at their
airfield snow and ice control program,
or re-evaluate the airport preventative

Multi-tasking equipment is an increasingly popular option for
airports looking to address snow and ice removal with less
operators.
M-B COMPANIES INC.

maintenance plan, it almost always,
requires the purchase of new and
more productive equipment," Perrone
said. "This could be a costly endeavor
and requires a thorough and detailed
evaluation process not only on the
type of equipment needed, but also the
manufacturer you purchase from."
Although, airports throughout North
America use various programs to purchase
high price tag vehicles, the process starts
long before this juncture. It begins
through the education, demonstration
and proven customer support from a
responsive and experienced vendor.
A dedicated sales team, operational
and technical training professionals and
after-market parts support specialists
is what is needed to assure an airport
management group that you will be there
during the best as well as the worst times
throughout the life of the equipment,
Perrone said.
"We provide comprehensive postdelivery training to drivers as well as
mechanical technicians, on call, 24-hour
operational support as well as being on
site during the first few snow events to
assure the customer we are there for the
long haul," he continued. "If needed,
we are also available to provide refresher
training in the years following purchase.
Fortbrand also have seasoned
ex-airport professionals on staff, Perrone,
said, with many years of experience

in the development of airfield snow
removal planning who work with
airport customers to establish an efficient
snow routing plan so they get the most
effective use of their resources. These are
the qualities that an in-depth evaluation
program must include in choosing a fully
qualified and experienced supplier of
these types of high-end equipment.
Knowing who your manufacturer/
supplier, and what services they can
provide, is paramount in developing a
long-lasting partnership throughout the
years to follow.
"The team approach in marketing and
selling equipment of this type and price
point requires each aspect of the team
to be on point at all times. One weak
link can result in a dissatisfied customer
who has now lost confidence in your
business and product," Perrone said. "No
matter how superior your offerings may
be, a poor training program, a lost or
delayed parts requests, an un-responsive
maintenance and emergency needs call,
can derogate not only the value of your
equipment offerings but also how airports
value your organization as a whole.
"Unfortunately, most distributers
and manufacturers of these types of
equipment are not fortunate enough
to have the staff levels to the level that
Fortbrand has, but a small productive
team can cover the needs nicely." 

APRIL 2020 \ AVIATIONPROS.COM / 31
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Airport Business

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