Skip to main content

UK VMS manufacturers merge

Two major companies in the field of signage systems for highways, urban and rail sectors have joined forces, Variable Message Signs Limited (VMSL) and Techspan Systems, creating a stronger business with a broad product range and an extensive technical capability. Following the acquisition of VMSL in 2014, Hill & Smith Limited realised the opportunity to create a world class provider of variable message signs and systems as part of its HS Roads Technology Division. The new combined business will operate und
April 2, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Two major companies in the field of signage systems for highways, urban and rail sectors have joined forces, Variable Message Signs Limited (VMSL) and 2658 Techspan Systems, creating a stronger business with a broad product range and an extensive technical capability.

Following the acquisition of VMSL in 2014, 60 Hill & Smith Limited realised the opportunity to create a world class provider of variable message signs and systems as part of its HS Roads Technology Division. The new combined business will operate under the name of Variable Message Signs.

VMS provides the design, manufacture and installation of a comprehensive range of LED based technology solutions for both road and rail applications, and with a combined workforce of over 70 people, it will continue to operate out of the two current locations in Aylesbury and Newcastle.

Managing director of the new venture, Bill Hamilton, said, “Variable Message Signs can comfortably claim to have one of the largest installed bases of equipment in the UK highways sector. Not only can we service our existing customers more efficiently but, with our combined resources and capability, we are ideally placed to expand our overseas business.”

“The HS Roads Group is committed to maintaining its position as the market leader in its specialist fields,” commented Bernard Greene, head of the Technology Division. “The aim of integrating these two businesses is to provide an organisation that can provide the highest levels of service and support to our customer base and to deliver products which meet the increasing requirements for higher levels of reliability and availability. I think that Variable Message Signs is extremely well placed to fulfil all of our objectives.”

Related Content

  • December 5, 2013
    Vehicle manufacturers and local authorities seek satnav solutions
    The increasing capability of satellite navigation is helping vehicle manufacturers and local authorities as well as individual drivers and fleets. In comparison to the physical ITS infrastructure in towns and cities and on motorways and highways, satellite navigation (satnav) systems have come a long way in a short time. Many (if not the majority) individual drivers and fleets use or have access to a satnav and now the vehicle manufacturers and even local authorities are beginning to utilise satnav derived
  • December 2, 2016
    UK tyre monitoring specialist provides technology to US highway project
    UK tyre-monitoring specialist WheelRight has provided its drive-over tyre pressure monitoring technology to The Ray, a US-based project designed to showcase new technologies that will create a blueprint for the sustainable motorways of tomorrow. Comprising an 18-mile stretch of highway on West Georgia’s Interstate 85, The Ray is a proving ground for new ideas and technologies that will transform the transport infrastructure of the future. The environmental project is named after Ray C. Anderson, an Ameri
  • August 2, 2013
    Suppliers reshape to provide tolling and traffic management expertise
    Jason Barnes examines the trend towards single source supply of complete tolling and traffic management solutions with some senior tolling industry figures. Only a few years back, the major tolling system suppliers were aggressively positioning themselves as one-stop shops for tolling solutions and operations. No sooner has that little flurry of innovation settled than another trend has emerged – tolling companies wanting to become major ITS suppliers as well. Various tolling company seniors have in recent
  • January 27, 2012
    Schneider Electric to acquire Telvent for $2 billion
    Schneider Electric has signed a definitive agreement with Telvent GIT to make a cash tender offer for all of Telvent's shares at a price of $40 per share, which represents a premium of 36% to Telvent's average share price over the last 3 months.