What Can You Do With An MVIS VMS?

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The MVIS VMS is a versatile piece of equipment, made in the UK to meet UK needs.

Our VMS are commonly seen on the side of the motorway, but the potential of our VMS is endless. With a wide range of uses our VMS has many different areas of expertise and applies to many different sectors of business.

Here are just a few examples of what VMS from MVIS are suitable for: –

 

Highways

MVIS’ leading product is most known for being seen at the side of motorways helping the UK to achieve safer highways. MVIS provides a scalable, responsive, and cost-effective solution to the problems within the sector of traffic management.

These are but some of the perks of hiring a sign from a company such as MVIS, the VMS keeps traffic moving and the roads safe, but also with the MVIS environmental sensor you can measure the impact your scheme is having on the local area, these can be attached to any of our ITS products.

Our VMS are also equipped to tell you the length of potential travel times accordance to the work on the highways, a simple yet effective use that will affect a road users’ journey.  They will be able to adhere their journey in accordance to the lead times given to drivers to ensure they get to their destination as efficiently as possible while also keeping them informed while on the UK’s roads.

VMS-A’s are tailor made for Roads that have a speed limit of under 50, where as a VMS-C is made for those High Speed Jobs that require you to see the sign before you have passed them on A-Roads or Motorways, roads over 70MPH.

 

Airports

MVIS’ VMS signs are created to inform, this can be informing of upcoming traffic problems in any sector.  For example, at an airport, it’s easy to imagine that airport car parks get busy, especially around the school holidays. The solution…use one of MVIS signs, they are the perfect solution to the problem of overcrowded parking lots. It is easy to program a sign to redirect traffic to a different lot or even to express the potential wait times.

The importance of getting a message across is one of MVIS highest priorities, if an airport is in need of getting important information across to customers, such as the changing of a gate or the cancellation of a flight, why not do it at the beginning of their holiday at the entrance to the airport?

 

Construction

Site safety is important! As an employer, the number one priority is to keep the team safe and to look after a competent workforce, MVIS are one of the leading SME companies in prioritising the safety of their employees and the safety of their customers sites.

A VMS from MVIS is perfect for a construction site whether it be on the side of the busiest motorways or in the city centre. VMS’ can keep the area around the constructions site clear and decongested meaning constructions workers are able to perform their tasks in a distraction free but most importantly safe environment for them to be able to produce the best work possible.

All our VMS can be fitted with a radar to ensure that motorists driving around the sites are watching their speed.  If a vehicle exceeds a certain speed the VMS can display a speed roundel advising of the site speed and a message saying “SLOW DOWN” on the screen ensuring drivers adhere to the sites speed limits.

 

Quarries

Quarry sites contribute materials for construction to a wide variety of companies across the nation.

Over time when quarries have served their use, they are transformed into Landfill sites, helping local councils eradicate their litter problems and preventing sites from overthrowing and hurting the environment.

Where does MVIS play apart in this? We are the leading company in Traffic Management on sites across the UK. Trucks will come into a site and will get stuck in Traffic waiting for one way routes to be cleared, an MVIS Intelligent LED Sign is used to direct traffic with messages such as ‘Next Truck’ or ‘Wait at the Bottom’.

We have been able to implement this across many Quarry sites and it has proven to work keeping quarry managers happy and HGV drivers safe.

 

Events

Stand out from the crowd with responsive, high impact event communications.

If an event is being a planned whether it be a Festival, Sporting day, Pride, Fun Run for charity, a farmers’ market at the peak of popularity or a corporate event that the big sale relies on. There is no better way to make sure that the event goes without informing customers, hiring a sign from MVIS promotes your event.

VMS signs have many ways of being a help to any event, they can display timings of the events and when they start, allocate parking spaces for customers or even to advertise an event to make it as successful as a customer wants it to be.

With a proven track record of effective deployment and success, MVIS products have been tried and tested on some of the biggest events this country has ever seen, such as the 2012 Olympics, Brighton Pride, V Festival, Silverstone and The Grand National.

 

Ports

A journey to the port ready to set sail on a fantastic holiday is a nice way to spend hard earned time off work, but a port can also be an unsafe area.  Most port workers struggle to allocate traffic management and to enforce speed zones in the area to make sure that port workers are in the safest environment they can be.

Not only can MVIS ensure worker safety, but passengers setting sail on the high seas can get all the information they need such as where they need to park, where their boat is docked and how they need to get there.

 

Our VMS have many uses in all sectors and are adaptable to all situations.  As a result of its flexibility, It is easy to understand why a customer would want to hire a VMS from MVIS and why customers keep coming back to us for both hire & sale.

As well as award winning customer service, an MVIS VMS has all the extras and much more. As a company, MVIS has a lot to offer in accordance with safety and keeping workforces in top condition so they can continue to keep the UK running.

Hire VMS from The Best at MVIS!

 

Being Sustainable With Solar Powered Products

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Sustainability has been at the forefront for us as a company for a decade now, and as a result, we’ve been reflecting back on over ten years of commitment to being sustainable. As well as offering products that are solar powered, we’ve also taken action in helping to reduce our own environmental impact. 

The very nature of our products has a strong environmental focus and they’re all designed to be energy efficient. Over the last 12 years, we have improved our unit’s batteries and solar panels in line with the latest innovations in their respective technologies. By using tilting and more efficient solar panels, it has resulted in improved run times and fewer battery changes, which means fewer journeys need to be made.

Our solar powered range of products offer an alternative to fixed solutions that draw power from the grid. They do not need to rely on external energy supply and therefore are highly portable and can be deployed in locations where fixed solutions can’t be. The applications that our products can be used for can also help promote an environmentally conscious way of thinking. The VMS-A and VMS-C can be used to spread messages that can influence driver or pedestrian behaviour, such as reminding drivers not to leave their engine running idle or encouraging people not to litter.

The fact we specialise in solar power enables us to offer our environmentally friendly products to organisations looking to minimise their own carbon footprint and environmental impact. Our data collection solutions can help Local Authorities and other groups determine levels of traffic and their speed, which can then help them make environmental decisions on issues like air pollution. 

To help cut down on the carbon footprint of our service, we have taken action in reducing the amount of fuel that we use. Our custom-built beavertail vehicle allows us to deploy 3 x VMS-A units, 2 x VMS-C units, or 2 x Solar IP units in one delivery. By being able to transport multiple units in one single trip, it minimises our fuel consumption and time on the roads.  

It has never been more important to be acting in ways that promote sustainability and general care for the environment, but this is something that we have been doing consistently for over a decade. Whilst we’re proud to be an environmentally responsible company, having a ‘green’ focus isn’t just embodied in our products but in our actions too. As is the MVIS way, we will always constantly be searching for ways to be more sustainable and reduce our footprint even further. 

Anne Ashman, UK Group Commercial and Operations Director comments, “There is always room for improvement when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and we have taken measures and joined initiatives to help achieve this. MVIS has remained committed to giving back to the environment for 12 years now and will continue to work towards a sustainable future.”

For more information about MVIS environmental policies, please see the ‘Environment’ section on our Safety Hub.

10 years of Tom: A Decade of Dedication and Innovation

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Tom Hooton, MVIS’ Research & Development Manager recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career, marking 10 years of dedicated service to the company.
Tom’s journey at MVIS Ltd is a testament to his unwavering commitment, exceptional work ethic, and passion for the company’s mission and values. Tom’s tenure at MVIS began in 2014 when he joined the company as a maintenance and delivery driver. Tom quickly distinguished himself through his exemplary skills, dedication, and understanding of the company’s products and objectives. Over the years, he has ascended through various roles within the company, climbing the ranks and leaving a mark along the way.

Reflecting on his progression within the company, Tom said: “After transitioning from technical support to Research & Development Manager, I like to believe that I have grown alongside the company. When I first joined, MVIS Ltd was still in its infancy, and it has been incredibly rewarding to witness and contribute to its growth and evolution. I take immense pride in my role, knowing that I play a pivotal part in developing the innovative solutions that define MVIS Ltd.”

Anne Ashman, Group Commercial and Operations Director at MVIS Ltd, recalls her initial encounter with Tom and his subsequent rise within the company.
“In 2014, when I offered Tom a role as a maintenance & delivery driver, I quickly realised that his skill set and dedication were invaluable assets that would contribute significantly to the company’s growth.

“Having had the privilege of working alongside Tom for the past decade, I am delighted to witness his well-deserved recognition. Tom’s commitment to excellence, coupled with his willingness to support colleagues and customers alike, has been instrumental in shaping both our products and our company culture.”

Tom’s impact at MVIS Ltd extends beyond his technical expertise; he is widely admired for his willingness to go above and beyond to assist customers and colleagues alike. His efforts have earned him the respect of his colleagues, culminating in his recent recognition as the recipient of the company’s employee of the year award.
Commenting on the accolade, Anne added:

“It gives me great pleasure to present Tom with our recognition award at Christmas. The fact that Tom’s name emerged repeatedly during the staff voting process is a testament to the profound impact he has had on our organisation.”
As MVIS Ltd continues to innovate and expand its range of cutting-edge solutions, Tom remains at the forefront of driving technological advancements and delivering unparalleled value to customers.

What does Platinum level service mean to you?

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Over the last decade, since our inception, MVIS have built an outstanding reputation across the highways sector for providing excellent service to its customers on all projects.

No matter the size or customer, we adopt the ‘no task is too small’ approach on its mission to deliver a level of service it can only define as ‘platinum’. MVIS has always valued its customers and has built some excellent long-standing relationships on the back of its commitment to service as well as its products. To showcase this commitment, MVIS proudly stand by their ‘Platinum Service Promise’ .

The MVIS Platinum service promise delivers. The MVIS quality & service document serves to outline what the company considers to be ‘Platinum Level Service’ and also highlights just how special its services are.

MVIS has always held fantastic relationships with its clients, and the company regularly receives positive feedback and comments crediting it for one of the aspects listed in the quality & service document. Each time a customer approaches MVIS with enthusiastic comments about its service, MVIS see this not just as an opportunity to celebrate its collective achievement, but also to reinforce this standard of service within the team. Reinforcing standards in moments of praise makes gives it special emphasis and reinforces a message from a positive position rather than trying to react to a negative one. This aids with staff feeling appreciated, delivers job satisfaction and rewards their hard work.

We spoke to a number of MVIS employees about their view on what platinum service is, and how it fits into their own specific roles.

We asked, “What does Platinum Level Service mean to you?”

Anne Ashman, UK Group Commercial and Operations Director comments:

“The Platinum Service Promise is a symbol of our commitment to service and customers. We have thought long and hard about a way we can demonstrate this, culminating in this promise to clients to always give them our very best. We are incredibly proud of our service record and the positive comments we receive from our customers.”

Anne continued:

“With that said, it’s vital that we never lose sight of the importance of continuous improvement. Our Platinum Service Promise works in conjunction with our customer’s comments and internal audits to keep us on our toes, make us accountable and give us an opportunity to work on areas that may need another look. Having this trusting relationship with our customers allows us to consistently cater to their needs so we don’t miss anything as their needs evolve.”

Jon Larkins, Midlands Delivery Hub Supervisor added:

“We know the moment we leave HQ that we are representing MVIS – and therefore carry an expected standard with us. That standard being platinum. Whether it’s the quality of our maintenance work, right through to how we interact with other contractors on site or the passing public – nothing short of outstanding will do.”

With Anne and Jon both well established as part of the MVIS team, serving 10 and 5 years respectively, what’s expected is ingrained in their day-to-day operations.

For a perspective from those not so experienced, a more newcomer perspective is offered by Clair Tranter and Mia Maycock, both in MVIS’ Customer Relations team. Both recent recruits, Clair and Mia explained to us how the bar was set upon joining the company, and what platinum service means to them.

Clair told us:

“I was left in no doubt throughout the recruitment process with MVIS that ‘client centric’ is absolutely the ethos here. Our customers and the service we provide them comes above all. We do what we can, every day to assist their operations and provide something that’s unrivalled when it comes to service.”

April added:

“It was actually one of the main reasons that the role appealed to me. Working in customer relations, there has to be a passion for service, so coming into a company that places customer satisfaction above all was a great fit. It’s very clear to me how MVIS has garnered such a strong reputation when it comes to its levels of service, as everyone in the business knows it’s priority number one. Now I’m looking forward to playing my part in delivering that platinum promise myself.”

 

 

 

Walking the Walk…For the Third Year Running

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For the third year running, MVIS will be sponsoring the Ashgate Hospice High Peak Trail, with this years event taking place on Sunday 17th March. The walk takes place through our stunning Derbyshire countryside and will follow the former Cromford and High Peak Railway. The walk provides a scenic experience for walkers of all ages to enjoy.

Due to last years success at the introduction of 2 new routes, Ashgate Hospice have decided to once again follow the same format with 3 walking options of varying length and difficulty. One, a family friendly 3.5 miles. Something that you can bring children on so you can have a day spent with family (including well behaved dogs). Another route is the 11 mile walk, and the final walk being the full 17 miles. Participants meet at Cromford Meadows before being transported to the starting line.

We recently had the opportunity to take in the trail on which walkers will be undertaking over the weekend in March.

Sales & Business Development Executive Juliette Wright launches this years Trail with Natalie Bell  – Event Fundraiser from Ashgate Hospice. 

We are always proud to sponsor Ashgate Hospice events and are glad to always be there to assist them. As a company we appreciate their work and admire the amount of time, effort and inclusivity they present when holding events such as the Sparkle walk or the High Peak Trail. As a company it is about teamwork and raising money for the people they look after. We already have a couple of the team signed up for this years walk, including Anne Ashman our Commercial and Operations Director and Sales and Business Development Executive Juliette will also be taking part. 

David Storer – Ashgate Hospice Events Organiser: “MVIS are a pleasure to work with. They are always on hand to provide support across all of our fundraising events and go above and beyond to offer solutions that enhance our reach and help us to promote our brand across the region. The team have provided VMS’s for multiple events and appeals that have really helped to raise the awareness of Ashgate Hospice and the vital end of life care that we provide across North Derbyshire. A Huge thank you to MVIS from all of us at Ashgate Hospice!”

Brave the High Peak Trail and soak up the scenic Derbyshire countryside – Sign Up Here

2023 Review: Takeovers, Trails, Treecycles & TRUST – all to a tee (Part 2)

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As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on a landmark year for MVIS.

From sustainability initiatives to community engagement and technological advancements, not to mention a major acquisition, we have had a very significant year.

Looking back on the last 12 months, here we delve into some of the key highlights that defined our year:

 

July – Investing in Education and Community

Corporate Social Responsibility took centre stage in July, as MVIS paid a visit to The East Manchester Academy.

We spoke to a year 8 class about career paths and gave them a brief lesson in programming messages to display on its VMS via our web-based editing platform Web Studio.

Group Commercial & Operations Director, Anne Ashman & Marketing Manager, Ben Kettell spent the afternoon giving pupils an insight into MVIS, and the company’s journey since 2011. Both Anne & Ben then fielded questions from the group regarding everything from our technology, how to enter the industry, and how their career paths brought the duo to where they are today.

 

August – Cycling Championships in Glasgow

August marked a flagship event in MVIS’ history as the company provided VMS unit support for the 11-day World Cycling Championships.

The event served as a global platform for showcasing our innovative solutions and technological prowess, as well as our ability to power major international events when it comes to delivering information and aid with crowd control. With over 1 million spectators across Scotland during the event, only the very best would do.

 

September – Emergency Services Show

An event debut in September for us, as we exhibited at the Emergency Services show at the NEC Birmingham.

MVIS had its friendly team on hand to showcase its latest solutions for the blue-light sector, and introduced its brand-new fire sign, a product that can assess its environment and alert people to the risk of fire in the area – looking to prevent a crisis before it even happens.

 

October – Highways UK 2023: Shaping the Future of Transportation

Event season continued into October, as MVIS took the roadshow to Highways UK 2023. The event has become the leading exhibition across the Highways sector over the last few years.

Centre stage was our brand-new Solar Barrier with a built-in ANPR Camera, as well as some key MVIS innovations of the last 12-18 months such as the HD Compact, Compact CCTV unit, and Environmental Sensor product integration.

November – Bake Off & Charity Total 2023: Blending Fun and Philanthropy

In November, staff took part in a company bake off – its latest fundraising endeavour for Ashgate Hospice.

MVIS invited David Storer & Natalie Bell from Ashgate as guest judges. After a lot of tasting, deliberation David & Natalie crowned Jacob Spencer, MVIS’ Technical Apprentice as 2023’s Great MVIS Bake Off winner.

The competition brought MVIS’ charitable efforts for Ashgate to a close for 2023, with all initiatives throughout the year raising a whopping £14,982!

 

December – Road Expo Scotland

MVIS exhibited at its final exhibition of the year recently, The Road Expo Scotland event at the SEC in Glasgow and Sales Director Graeme Lee spoke to us about the company’s experience:

“We had a great time at Road Expo Scotland.” Graeme said.

“Seeing our existing customers is fantastic and it’s always exciting to make some key new connections and be able to showcase MVIS and our product range.

“It’s an important exhibition for us, as our North hub is just south of Scotland, and so we’re set up to support contracts better than ever before in terms of both geographical locations, as well as the number of units in our fleet. It’s brilliant to be bale to go and spread that message and make people aware of just how well our service is as seamless as our products for the region.”

As we reflect on the year gone by, MVIS emerges as a company that has thrived, leaving an indelible mark on the industries it serves.

With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community engagement, MVIS looks forward to 2024 and beyond with continued success and growth.

 

Read about MVIS’ monumental year and the first six months of it here.

2023 Review: Takeovers, Trails, Treecycles & TRUST – all to a tee (Part 1)

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As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on a landmark year for MVIS.

From sustainability initiatives to community engagement and technological advancements, not to mention a major acquisition, we have had a very significant year.

Looking back on the last 12 months, here we delve into some of the key highlights that defined our year:

 

January – Ashgate Treecycle

Ashgate Hospice, a charity we have supported for many years found an innovative way to raise money for the hospice, as well as recycling used Christmas Trees to help, rather than hinder the environment. Enter ‘Treecycling’ where trees are collected by volunteers and given to local farmers so they can be chipped and recycled.

In January, our team members Jon Larkins and Ben Ashman took the MVIS service van for Treecycling collections in Matlock. Together, they collected 29 trees helping to raise over £400 for Ashgate in tree collections.

 

February – Employee Wellness Takes Centre Stage

On the mission for improved mental health and wellbeing across the sector, National Highways introduced the ‘Journey to Wellbeing’. An initiative devised to get operatives in the sector to be more open and comfortable in discussing their mental health.

Following that lead, we implemented the Mind charity’s ‘Time to Talk’ initiative, with MVIS’ mental health first aiders delivering to the rest of the team on the importance of talking if life is taking its toll for the worse.

we strive to ensure that our teams is happy and healthy, so implementing initiatives that align with National Highways Journey to Wellbeing is something we were proud to undertake.

 

March -Ashgate High Peak Trail

March saw MVIS sponsor the Ashgate Hospice High Peak trail for the 3rd successive year. Taking place on March 12th, the event sees a choice of three trails through the Derbyshire countryside – all to raise money for Ashgate Hospice.

David Storer, Ashgate Hospice Events Organiser commented:

“MVIS are a pleasure to work with. They are always on hand to provide support across all of our fundraising events.

“Anne (Ashman, Group Commercial & Operations Director) and the team have provided VMS units to us for multiple events now, and their appeals have really helped to raise awareness of Ashgate Hospice and the vital end of life care that we provide across North Derbyshire”

 

April – #TRUSTINMVIS Launch

In April, we launched our #TRUSTINMVIS campaign, with the TRUST acronym symbolising the values the company holds dear: Teamwork, Reliability, Understanding Flexibility, Solutions, and Technology.

Anne Ashman, Group Commercial & Operations Director spoke to us about the initiative earlier in the year. Anne told us:

“MVIS is committed to providing the best possible service and support to our customers. With #TRUSTMVIS firmly in place as a publicly available statement of intent, MVIS is confident that we can deliver the most innovative, sustainable, and dependable portable VMS solutions on the market.”

May – Under New Ownership!

In what was perhaps 2023’s most significant landmark, MVIS underwent a change in ownership in May when Quadrant Management, a US-based private equity investor added us to their portfolio of businesses.

The acquisition provides opportunities for collaboration and innovation across a range of industries as well as increase capability in Research & Development to further bring innovation.

After over a decade of driving innovation including being the first to introduce colour VMS signs, the acquisition marks an exciting new chapter and provides the perfect platform to further propel the company.

 

June – Renewed Constructionline Platinum

As we hit the mid-year mark, we achieved the renewal of our Constructionline Platinum certification. This accolade underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest of standards, providing clients with the assurance of quality and reliability in its products and services.

It ensures that our customers know extensive checks into quality, health & safety, environmental impact, social responsibility and adherence to legislations and regulations have all been carried out and rubber-stamped.

The Ideal Air Quality Monitoring Network

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Last Summer we teamed up with Catplant Quarry in Doncaster to provide them with a bespoke traffic management and safety solution for vehicles coming in and out of their one-way track at the waste disposal area of the quarry. Catplant had multiple lorries driving into the area, which had limited space, causing a backup of vehicles with no area to turn around, leading to congestion and safety issues in all areas of the quarry.

A solution was required that allowed only one vehicle into the unloading area at a time, allowing the lorry to unload, turn around safely, and exit before the next vehicle drove into the area. MVIS supplied a Variable Message Sign (VMS) which allowed the driver to remotely activate a message on the VMS, instructing a “NEXT VEHICLE” message and a further “WAIT HERE” instruction. However, due to poor connectivity within the quarry, the standard mobile app could not be used to operate the VMS. As a result, we implemented an alternative solution – a remote fob with a direct connection to the sign, allowing the driver to control it simply, at the press of a button.

Alongside this, we also provided Catplant with a trial of our Environmental Sensor. This clever little addition to our VMS is able to measure dust pollution, air quality and decibel readings. 

The Environmental Sensor can even measure levels of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. With moderate levels causing headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, as well as coughing and difficulty in breathing.

Higher levels can cause shock, convulsions, coma, and in the worst cases, death. This solution is a low-cost system that offers the ability to build a high-density ambient air quality monitoring network that records data in real-time.

To speak to our dedicated and knowledgeable team about buying or hiring a VMS with Environmental Sensor, you can call 01629 580570 or email: sales@m-vis.co.uk.

Celebrating 10 years of Pat Musgrave

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Our CEO, Pat Musgrave, is celebrating a decade since he first became MD of MVIS.  We were able to find time in Pat’s schedule to sit down and talk to him about his time in the highways industry and working at MVIS and the team that runs it.

Here is what Pat had to say:

 

Where does your passion for ITS come from?

 

“I guess it stems from when I was a kid. I’ve always liked electronics and messing around with technology. I started off my career as a qualified electrician. Involved in highways, street lighting and that kind of stuff. Rapidly becoming more involved with CCTV and ITS products.

It’s always been more interesting than domestic, industrial and commercial wiring. So, it kind of progressed into that. “

 

Tell us about your past experience in ITS?

 

“I mean, obviously, back in the day, I first got involved with MVIS and help set up the company back in 2012 when we became a limited company with ambition, but I guess it was meeting up with Tony Price.

We used to install ANPR cameras something we still do today, and Tony price was working for a company called NDI technologies. I was at a trade show in London, went onto his stand, got chatting and realised that he owned a property at the mill just below our offices in Tansley. I won a few jobs For NDI technology installing ANPR cameras. That was my first sort of involvement in this side of the RTS side of things.”

He continued: “Tony reappeared a couple of years later with his VMS product that he was bringing in from Australia and was struggling with the product. He set up the company Colour Mobile VMS. He was struggling to do anything with it because the competition had already got supply chains in place from America and Canada and amber signs only, and they couldn’t see the value in a colour sign.

Tony, who was in the early stages of marketing the sign, contacted me to say he was displaying it at Traffex and asked if I would like to go along. I jumped in the car, drove to Darley Dale, had a cup of tea with him and it went from there.”

 

What has been your greatest challenge in the last 10 years?

 

Pat told us: “It has always been funding. It’s always been my role within the business, pre MVIS and post Colour Mobile to raise the relevant funding to do the projects.

That’s always a challenge, having the money to execute projects from start to finish. So yes, that’s the greatest challenge.”

 

Do you have a favourite product?

 

“I guess the Solar IP trailer is my favourite product because we worked really hard to get that developed back in 2011. It’s a very versatile product and the first of its kind to market.”

When asked about MVIS VMS, Pat told us: “The VMS are good and obviously the mainstay of the business. But I take a lot of pride in the solar IP because that was one of the things, we developed on the back of a cigarette packet in the early days.”

 

Which scheme has given you the most satisfaction?

 

“I think the first ROTTM scheme that we won along the M6 Junction 10 to 13. Apart from the Olympics, the Olympics is the main one, going back to 2012, but since then, I guess the ROTTM Scheme 10 to 13, because we were basically only really known as a portable supplier. We managed to break into the fixed market against the big boys which was a massive achievement.”

 

How has the industry changed over the last decade?

 

“More and more people have come on board and the competition has grown. We were very premature in things that we did in the early days. We had vehicle mounted VMS with CCTV cameras on, 6, 7, 8 years ago, we couldn’t get people engaged in those products back then.

 

More and more people have come into the market and these things are now coming to the forefront. The biggest thing is the amount of people involved in the industry. The number of competitors is the biggest change.”

 

What is your greatest achievement since you started MVIS?

 

“I think it’s having the key people in place and obviously the biggest challenge is having the right management in the right places.”

Pat reiterates: “So, it’s not necessarily my achievements. It’s the team’s achievements. Then there’s achievements of running the business on a day-to-day basis for the last 10 years. So, it’s not about my greatest achievements.

It’s the team’s greatest achievements. Having the right people doing the right roles. Having a pride and passion in that role.”

 

How many years have you worked in the Highways Industry?

 

“I guess I’m coming up now for my 40th year having just turned 58. When I left school, doing electrical work and progressed into the streetlighting arena, which had got me first into the highways industry, subcontracting to various streetlighting companies.

So, yeah, you could say I’m in my 40th year of being involved in the highways industry and the ITS arena.”

 

How has your role changed since promotion from UK MD earlier this year to Group CEO?

 

“I stayed on, was moved up to Group CEO and continued with the shareholding. I guess, it gives me more of an oversight role. I’ve got more involvement at a higher level. It’s very difficult to have an involvement in the business when it’s being run day-to-day.

Some clarity on my role and that role is basically overseeing strategic decisions, bringing the team together across the world and making us one company. So that’s my role now. I’ve got more involvement at a higher level.  Anne runs the UK day to day with assistance from Graeme and Anthony runs Australia day to day.”

 

What does the future look like for MVIS?

 

“I suppose previously MVIS had got its own limited opportunities. Now that we are working more as a team between here and Australia, the Research and Development department is working together much more.

We can take MVIS and Bartco Australia together into new markets, new countries with new products. So, it’s an exciting time. If we can keep pace with recruiting the correct people to bring into the business to support the team we’ve got and keep on top of the R&D. Making sure that we are constantly bringing new products to market, that we’ve proved and tested and are fit for purpose.

We have the Solar Barrier coming through and also the new solar IP version 6, which will integrate more equipment and be more powerful. It’s exciting times for the group.”

It’s Not Just VMS, It’s MVIS VMS.

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As a result of our commitment to our clients, we have built a reputation for excellent customer service and expertise. Our expertise is focused on portable VMS and specific ITS solutions rather than diluted among a wide range of products, as some of our competitors are.

We have developed our core products and solutions for use in many different sectors and applications. With over a decade of expertise and innovation, if you need VMS then you need to come to the best in the business. 

The Best VMS

For urban environments and roads with speed limits under 50mph, our VMS-A is the ideal solution that works great for road traffic and pedestrians. For roads with speed limits above 50mph, our VMS-C is the right option. Being our largest VMS display, this unit is great for communicating information to high-speed traffic. With a 5-colour LED display for text or pictrograms, the VMS-A and VMS-C are the best solutions available for getting the message across when it is critical to do so.

We also offer a compact 2-color HD Compact VMS for construction sites and other work areas where space is limited. In addition to recording traffic volume and speed, it displays text, pictograms and animated messages just like the VMS-A and VMS-C. 

Product Integrations

The VMS-A can be integrated with a wide range of technology that increases its functionality. It discreetly contains a data collation radar that can be used to collect traffic data on speed, time and date.  As a low-cost alternative to many data collection solutions on the market, the VMS-A can be used as a data source for the analysis of traffic trends, providing greater intelligence for planning all types of projects.

With our CCTV VMS, you can monitor and respond to situations quickly without having to be physically present on-site by integrating an HD CCTV camera with the VMS-A.

Added Value

We have always placed a high priority on adding value to our service. Although we specialise in portable solar powered ITS solutions, we never lose sight of the fact that we are ultimately a service-based company. We take pride in offering our customers the MVIS ‘Platinum Service Promise’,  with the aim of delivering a ‘Platinum’ level service for a ‘Bronze’ level price. We highlight all the aspects that set us apart from other suppliers in our Quality Service Promise, which emphasises our commitment to a ‘Platinum Level Service’.

When you hire with MVIS, unit monitoring and maintenance are included in the cost along with deployment, advice, consultation and all the other added value that we offer. We even include battery changes, repairs and replacements in the service promise that we offer our customers. With strategically placed depots across the UK, our highly trained team can respond quickly to an issue, whether on site or in our Matlock head office.

With each delivery and project we take on, we confirm our reputation as the best in the industry. With our new pricing, you can get the best VMS and service for the best price. 

That’s why we don’t just offer VMS, we offer MVIS VMS. 

Put our VMS to the test today by getting in touch with our friendly team. They are available to assist you with any enquiries you may have on 01629 58570 or by email at sales@m-vis.co.uk. 

Come to the ITS and VMS Experts

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Through our commitment to our clients, we have built a strong reputation for customer service and expertise. Due to our focus on portable VMS and specific ITS solutions, our expertise is specialised in our core solutions rather than diluted across many different types of products, like some of our competitors.

Often working in collaboration with Highways England and other Tier 1 contractors, MVIS has become a trusted asset when it comes to the delivery of safe, efficient VMS and ITS products and solutions onto the UK’s roads. As the company has continued to deliver and further its stellar reputation, MVIS has become more involved in the preparation phase of major schemes.

We are committed to providing our clients with quality service, which is further reinforced by our Quality Service Promise, which outlines all the additional aspects that we offer as part of our service. MVIS adopts the policy of treating all customers equally, no matter who they are and aims to provide a quality service to all of them. 

When our clients hire with MVIS, they can be confident that our expertise is backed up by a number of accreditations and memberships. Amongst these include FORS Bronze, Achilles BuildingConfidence membership, Constructionline Platinum and ISO accreditations in ISO45001: Occupational Health & Safety, ISO9001: Quality Management Systems and ISO14001: Environmental Management Systems, which come together to make an Integrated Management System (IMS), bringing our systems and processes into one complete framework.

The MVIS approach to training is continuous and has a number of critical elements, which are: 

  • MVIS staff is fully trained as hiab and slinger signalers for delivery, installation and removal.
  • Our staff are fully trained in health and safety. Each MVIS operative participates in an ongoing safety training program, as well as externally completed safety training to ensure quality across all departments.
  • Depending on their role on site, the MVIS workforce is all on site with the appropriate and relevant CSCS card. Even the management team are CSCS qualified so they can visit the site to carry out essential auditing.

More than 60% of our team members have been with MVIS for their entire careers. The company has a reputation for investing in people and a high staff retention rate. This results in MVIS staff embracing the company values, which translates into excellent customer service.  

As a result of these factors, we are already recognised in the industry as the best at what we do, and this is only confirmed with every project we are trusted with.   

Our ITS and VMS expertise, accredited quality, comprehensive training, vast fleet, and versatile products make us the ideal company for your ITS and VMS requirements. You can hire with confidence when you hire with MVIS, so why would you go anywhere else? 
 

Get in touch with our Sales team who are available to assist you with any questions you may have by calling 01629 580570 or by email at sales@m-vis.co.uk. 

A Decade of Driving Innovation

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As a company that clocked up a decade in business this year, MVIS has come a long way since its inception in 2012.

One of the constants across the company’s journey is its attitude towards innovation; never resting on its laurels and continually investing in its research & development programme to continue to better itself for the benefit of its customers.

So, just what does ‘innovation’ mean to the business?

“It means we are constantly moving our products forward and fulfilling required gaps in the market with our bespoke products and R&D department,” says Graeme Lee, the company’s Sales Director.

MVIS exists in a world of technology, and as a result, innovation has to be a major part of the company’s remit, or its products and software runs the risk of stagnation.

“That’s just not something we’re willing to accept.” Graeme continued. “We place great pride and great emphasis on being at the forefront of technologies within our field, and it’s a stance that hasn’t wavered across the last 10 years.”

MVIS’ very own web studio system was the company’s first major innovation success and was the single biggest reason for the company being successful in its 2012 Olympic Games contract in its first year of operating. A standout innovative feature at the time, was MVIS’ grouping facility – the capability of programming multiple signs with the same message at the click of a button from a web-based system, whilst other software programming systems for VMS were still having to dial in remotely and could only program one sign at a time. The innovation won the day.

‘How crucial is R&D into innovation?’ we asked Graeme. He explained:

“It’s the cog that keeps innovation alive, without our R&D team we wouldn’t be able to look at new ideas or produce the bespoke items our customers often request. When it comes to being successful, we know it’s a combination of multiple things working efficiently and effectively, but it could be argued that R&D for innovation is the most important factor in what we do. Technology is ever evolving; the industry is always changing, and customers are always looking for something that saves them time or cost in the long run – so we see it as our duty to invest the time into servicing that constant customer need.”

And is there an internal standard procedure for getting a new idea off the ground at MVIS?

“Yes, each idea has to go through a strategic process where we collect lots of information before the new idea even goes into development, I suppose you could attribute this to being the ‘research’ from both the R&D team and other departments within the company. Before a product idea gets signed off for development, we will know what testing procedures are needed to make it compliant to present standards, how long a prototype will take, what sort of software is required, and a budget will be allocated to the project along with a timeline.”

Looking back on the last 10 years, we asked Graeme to give us his opinion on his top four most significant MVIS innovations within the decade the company has been in business. After a few moments of pondering, Graeme told us:

“Firstly, our Web studio. As already mentioned, it really helped put the company on the map in 2012 and showed that even in our infancy as a company, we were an innovative, well-prepared business with high capability.

“Next, the 5 Colour VMS. We were the first in the UK to bring it to market and had to educate the marketplace on the quality of having colour and the visual pictogram aspect the signs could give – rather than just amber text signs.

Solar IP

“The Solar IP platform is number 3. Again, we were the first to bring this product to market and the first company enabling a solar-powered platform to go out onto the network with multiple functions. This meant eradicating stopping schemes to lay cables to a power source for a short-term need of CCTV, ANPR and traffic data counting radars. Thus, saving money and also reducing the risk of injury to staff due to the short deployment time and bodies not required on the network for any longer than necessary.

“The fourth would have to be our HD Compact unit. It has a tiny footprint, ideal for compounds and is used as part of our works Egress system. Again, both products were the first to market. It is interesting when we look back to see how many products we were first to the market with. It’s something we’re really proud of and we have to credit our R&D team immensely for their consistency and innovative thinking.”

It’s clear to see that innovation is no fluke. Time, effort and investment go into becoming a company known for innovative thinking and as a result, innovative products. As MVIS enters its second decade of operations, one thing that will never change is its embedded ethos of innovation and a commitment to constant improvement for its customer base.

Source: HighwaysIndustry.com

Mobile Visual Information Systems

01629 580 570

MVIS, Units 6-8, Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 5ND

© 2022. Company registered in England No. 8130402 - Registered Office: Units 6-8, Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 5ND