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

  • August 5, 2013
    Measuring the effectiveness of winter VMS
    A survey into the effectiveness of weather-related variable message signs on a trans-mountain highway has some interesting results, as Alexis Bacelar told ITS Europe. A study in the Massif Central region of France evaluating the usefulness of winter weather warning signs has highlighted the effect of variable message signs on driver behaviour. During the winter of 2009-2010, road operator Massif Central Direction Interdépartementale des Routes (MC DIR) started installing bad weather-specific variable messag
  • May 21, 2012
    Professional training key to the future of ITS
    A substantial portfolio of resources is available and expanding, to help employers and professionals build essential skills for current and future needs – the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program. Pete Goldin reports. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) views ITS as key to the future of transportation, as is evident from the department’s ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) program. This is a further manifestation of USDOT’s commitment to ITS. The PCB program provides anyone in the transpo
  • April 30, 2015
    Cable cars come of age in trans-continental expansion
    David Crawford explores a high-level option of public transport. Sharing its origin with that of ski lifts at winter sports resorts in the European Alps, urban aerial cable transport is attracting growing interest as a low-footprint, low-energy alternative to conventional public transport that can swoop over ground-level traffic congestion.
  • January 27, 2012
    Integrate systems to reduce roadside infrastructure
    David Crawford reviews promising current developments. Instrumentation of the road infrastructure has grown to become one of the most dynamic sectors of the ITS industry. Drivers for its deployment include global concerns over the commercial and environmental pressures of traffic congestion, the importance of keeping drivers informed throughout their journeys, and the need to reduce accident rates and promote the safety of all road users, for example by enforcing traffic safety rules.