MVIS/Bartco UK | Social Responsibility Will Always Be a Priority

One of MVIS’ and Bartco’s work placement students at work on a Bartco VMS.

Two ITS firms, Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS) and sister company, Bartco UK, are taking the concept of corporate social responsibility to a new level, with an array of projects to support local charities, businesses and young people.

Local charitable giving

Bartco UK manufactures and sells temporary, solar powered variable message signs to the highways sector, and MVIS hires them out;  both are based in Matlock, Derbyshire.  MVIS loaned free of charge for two weeks, two Bartco signs to help promote a local fundraising event for Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospice at the end of June.  The high visibility signs helped to attract up to 600 people to the fundraiser, which raised over £7,250.

Chesterfield housing charity Safe also recently benefitted from MVIS’ free supply of an eye-catching Bartco sign to promote a 24 hour sofa-push to raise money and awareness.  Held on World Homeless Day, the event helped to raise in the region of £600.

Said Safe’s Billy Woodward:  “The illuminated sign…. increased public participation dramatically.”

Local business support

MVIS donated three Bartco signs to assist a three week promotion of Matlock’s Maazi Food Festival at the beginning of June.  The event brought local food and drink businesses face-to-face with the community, and the eye-catching signs helped to attract up to 5,000 visitors.

Other local businesses to benefit from the high impact signs include those located alongside MVIS and Bartco.  MVIS has erected a Bartco sign on the A615 entrance to the industrial estate on which they are situated, promoting all the companies based there.

Employment and training for local youngsters

MVIS and Bartco run an apprenticeship scheme to support the careers of local youngsters.  Their operations and service coordinator, Dom Bridge, and administration assistant, Becca Saint, both began their careers as apprentices with the firms, and they are soon to be joined by two new apprentices in the administration and manufacturing departments.

The firms have also been supporting younger people, providing work experience for a group of students from the local high school.

Said managing director of MVIS and Bartco UK, Pat Musgrave:  “Our companies are doing well, and we believe it is our responsibility to use our success to help the people and businesses that make up our local community.  Many ITS firms pay lip service to corporate social responsibility, but it is something that will always be a priority for MVIS and Bartco.”

Last month, MVIS and Bartco also announced investments in Matlock’s sporting community, extending their sponsorship of Matlock Town FC’s football academy, and sponsoring local kickboxer, European K1 fighter Karl “Tinker” Johnston, of Matlock’s Original Jesters club.

For further details, please visit http://www.m-vis.co.uk/ OR http://www.bartco-uk.com/