IT may be some way from the nearest international airport and even farther from a major oil field, but a Worcester-based company is a market leader in fire and rescue vehicles for both.

Amdac-Carmichael held an open day at its headquarters in Weir Lane, Lower Wick, to announce the launch of its new Garraf oil field fire and rescue appliance, which is being sent for use in the deserts of Iraq.

“We staged the event to show off our latest vehicle, which we are proud to put our name to,” said company sales director Brian Wiggins.

“We also wanted to create awareness and build connections and communication channels with the UK refineries. It proved very valuable and we had a number interested in the different vehicles that we build.”

The firm can trace its history back 150 years and was originally a traditional coach builders.

“Over time the products manufactured have changed, as well as the ownership, but whatever happened within the market Carmichael is still the same company producing vehicles to the same high standards and although no longer family-owned, Carmichael is still a close knit community.”

The company’s new refinery/industrial vehicle is the first American-style vehicle to be built on a European chassis with all body modules built in-house at the Carmichael factory.

Other products are currently being shipped to Abu Dhabi and the Arab Emirates.