RMA Automotive

RMA In Action: Tales From The Trenches

Our long-time customers know they can count on us — whether it's capably and conscientiously fulfilling a routine request, or going above and beyond to solve an extraordinary challenge in the field. Here are just a few of those above-and-beyond adventures representative of the kinds of solutions, and service, you can expect from RMA Automotive.

Disease Outbreak Means Specialized Vehicles Needed — Fast!

RMA Automotive received a call in the early part of 2008 from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Ministry of Health. “They urgently needed 58 special Mobile Clinic vehicles to pursue a possible incidence of the Asian Bird Flu that had recently killed or sickened people in Southeast Asia,” explained Benjamin Beroud, Area Sales Manager for RMA's Asia Pacific region. “The requirements included separate driver and health worker compartments, as well as isolated storage for disinfectants and research equipment for potentially dangerous biohazard specimens.”

RMA designers and engineers proposed a specifically modified and equipped Ford Ranger pickup that included protective biohazard equipment for five health workers, disinfectant and chemical storage, portable sprayer, heat/cold insulated rear enclosure with non-slip, anti-static flooring, and shock/vibration protection for sample safety and occupant protection.

“It's exactly what the Ministry of Health was looking for,” Beroud said. “Once we received their design approval, we quickly initiated prototyping and rigorous testing. We began vehicle deliveries just 12 weeks later. The units were quickly put to use protecting the health of the Vietnamese people.”

Protection That's Invisible

For RMA Automotive designers and engineers, the two most important factors in producing armored vehicles are safety and confidentiality. “Discretion is an absolute requirement when it comes to armored vehicles,” said Sven Korf, RMA's Armor Division General Manager. “Our armored vehicles are intentionally designed to look like virtually any other car or truck on the road.”

In conflict-prone areas, it's critical that an armored vehicle slip through traffic without being noticed. “These vehicles are frequently used to transport a nation's leaders, doctors or teachers,” Korf stated. “So we modify sedans or virtually any vehicle that requires occupant protection. We also produce what are called 'cash-in-transit' vehicles, usually based on the Ford Ranger pickup, with a built-in safe to transport funds and valuables.”

RMA uses the industry's most advanced armoring materials, including ballistic glass, Arimid® Flexi panels, Kevlar® unidirectional polyurethane composites and silicon carbide lightweight steel.* “These materials are used to create a vehicle with protection that meets or exceeds all international vehicle armoring standards,” Korf said.

* Arimid and Kevlar are registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

Creating The “Gold Standard” For Mining Vehicles

Freeport McMoRan, the operator of the world's largest gold mine and the third largest copper mine, developed a serious problem with its fleet of 1,500 mine site vehicles. “The incredibly harsh terrain and treacherous mine access roads were causing continuous fleet vehicle breakdowns,” explained Dan McNally, RMA Automotive's General Manager for Indonesia. “Broken suspension system components, brake failures and overheated engines had become daily occurrences.”

The mining company called RMA to help. “Our engineering staff created a solution now known as the 'gold standard' for rugged vehicle applications,” he said.

Designed especially for Ranger and Everest mine site vehicles, this durable one-of-a-kind equipment package utilized a super-duty suspension package, extra heavy-duty disc brakes, an engine intercooler, and an intake snorkel with fitted dust filter. “Freeport McMoRan mine site vehicles now provide improved durability and safer operation,” McNally said. “And their operators can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their vehicle upgrades were conceived and designed through torturous real-world as well as high-tech testing regimes.”

Helping Afghanistan Rebuild,
With Trucks That Get The Job Done

The U.S. Government's TACOM unit issued a request for bid for dump trucks that were to be used in Afghanistan's punishing terrain. “When we saw that the vehicles were destined for Afghanistan,” said Automotive Sales Operations Manager Michael Biermann, “we knew we had the tough quality trucks to handle those kinds of harsh operating conditions.” Biermann and his team responded quickly and won the bid.

The government selected Ford Cargo 3530D Dump Trucks to get the job done. “These vehicles exceeded all performance expectations,” Biermann explained. “In fact, the original bid was for 383 trucks, but they were so pleased, that thus far we've delivered 465 trucks and we're only halfway through the contract.”

RMA Automotive was also awarded a U.S. Government contract to supply Afghanistan with 11 fire trucks. “We ended up assisting in the training of local Afghan fire crews to help ensure the best use of the trucks,” he said. “And the clients were more than satisfied. As a result, they ordered an additional seven trucks.”

A Fast Response For Famine Relief

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees had a serious hunger crisis in Laos that required fast action. “We arranged transport for 5,000 metric tons of rice to move from Thailand to Laos,” recalled Raphael Thallinger, RMA Group Logistics Manager. “It was emergency relief food supplies for Laotian hill tribes facing famine. We shipped the rice by land, riverboat and finally air transport in three weeks time — and it felt great to help.”

RMA Automotive specializes in moving vehicles and other cargo to and from developing or post-conflict regions. “We've even helicoptered parts into the most remote locations in developing countries, when necessary,” Thallinger added, “so our clients can rest assured that we have the technology, contacts and experience to ensure that cargo arrives on time wherever it has to go.”

Logistics That Reach Beyond Borders

Logistics is more than just the ability to move something from one place to another. There are many challenges to manage, including local import issues, custom clearances, duties and tariffs and other regulatory issues. For more than 20 years, RMA has dealt with these issues and more, resolving every challenge and making it easy for our customers — which is one of the reasons why organizations like the United Nations have become RMA Automotive regulars. “One time, the U.N. needed 200 vehicles moved from Cambodia to Burma,” explained Raphael Thallinger, RMA Group Logistics Manager. “So we chartered vessels to get the job done, and ended up managing and operating their shipping and chartering needs for the next five years.”