MVIS/Bartco | Bartco UK Works with UKTI to Encourage Olympic Spirit

Matt Lambert Posted On August 18, 2016

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Bartco UK is working with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to encourage fellow East Midlands firms to follow its lead and use the Olympic Games as a catalyst for growth.

Based in Matlock, Derbyshire, Bartco UK manufactures portable, solar powered, five colour, variable message signs (VMS), for use in the traffic management, events and advertising sectors.

Bartco UK is the sister company of fellow Matlock firm, Mobile Visual Information Systems Ltd (MVIS). MVIS began life as Colour Mobile VMS, and in this incarnation, undertook Transport for London’s contract to supply VMS for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ Route Network.

In what was believed to be the largest single deployment of temporary solar powered VMS in the world, almost 200 units were employed on the network, enabling athletes and officials to travel safely and efficiently between venues and their accommodation, while keeping the rest of the city’s traffic moving.

Following the success of the Olympic contract, MVIS expanded exponentially in the UK, and in 2014, Bartco UK was established in order to capitalise on the considerable international sports and highways management markets for portable VMS, especially in Europe and the Middle East.

Its signs have been used at an array of UK sporting events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The company is now working with UKTI’s Exporting is GREAT campaign to enable it to expand to more international markets. As part of the successful international GREAT Britain campaign, Exporting is GREAT aims to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK businesses to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020.

Managing director Pat Musgrave commented: “We’re working very closely with Exporting is GREAT to expand

“We’re working very closely with Exporting is GREAT to expand Bartco UK’s international market. The campaign has given us invaluable advice on how best to tap into the demand for British expertise in the global sporting events and highways management sectors. We have also received advice on how best to manage the layout and general functionality of our website, and are confident that with its on-going support, Bartco UK will go from strength to strength right across the world.
“With Rio only just upon us, the Tokyo games in 2020 may seem a long time away. But now is the time to start thinking about what your company can offer to the next Olympics, as well as other global sporting events.”

Ian Harrison, UKTI Regional Manager for the East Midlands commented:

“Global sports events present opportunities for businesses from diverse sectors including architecture and construction, project management, professional services, catering and branding, marketing and design. As Bartco UK shows, success at such an event can propel your company into new territories and markets.”