Darren Slater: North Delivery Supervisor

As the North Delivery Supervisor, Darren has extensive knowledge of our traffic management products.

How long have you been with MVIS?:
I started at MVIS at the start of October 2014 and got promoted to delivery supervisor in December 2015.

Job role:
My day-to-day life at MVIS is based around delivering the signs to the site and maintaining the signs in the yard. I work closely with Tim Hill who is the other delivery and maintenance driver and we travel the country together to ensure the customers are happy with our products.

Recent projects:
I am involved in nearly every project in the north of the UK but recently I have done the M6 CCTV AT J22 and I am now doing the 26 VMSC for the A14 project.

How did you get into the industry:
I was told about the job by a friend and sent my CV into Anne Ashman, the general manager. I came in for a trial day and loved it and I was offered the job a couple of days later.

Most fulfilling part of your role:
The most fulfilling part of my role is delivering the VMS to customers who are happy with the product. I also like knowing the signs my team have put out on the network are keeping the roads safe.

More about me:
I’m a family man who likes spending time with friends and family. I also watch and play football for local teams.

 

 


An introduction to Matt Felce

Matt Felce: Technical Manager

What’s it like to work at MVIS?

Working at MVIS is very rewarding. I have seen the company grow enormously in the 3 years that I have been here from a VMS supplier to the “go to” company for temporary ITS solutions.

What’s been the best MVIS projects you’ve worked on to date and why?

They are all rewarding in their own way. From the safety solutions we have developed along with Intellicone to the manufacture of our own trailers in the UK.

How are you finding day-to-day life at MVIS?

It’s great to work with such a close knit team who all work tirelessly with a common goal of making MVIS the biggest and best VMS and portable ITS supplier in the UK.

What recent projects have you worked on?

We have just deployed 8 signs around Tower Bridge that are automatically activated when the bridge is raised with the aim of lowering vehicle pollution.

What is the most fulfilling part of your role?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the praise we receive from our customers and seeing the company grow from strength to strength.

What’s an average day for you?

I am very fortunate in that I don’t have an average day. It can involve anything from meeting with customers discussing designing a new solution to solve their problems to going to awards dinners for our innovation and everything in between.


Pat Musgrave: Managing Director

A well-known name in the ITS industry for 25 years, Pat Musgrave is certainly one of life’s entrepreneurs and is responsible for bringing industry firsts to the UK’s road and event markets. In just 12 short months, Pat has set up a sister company to MVIS, Bartco UK, launched a new partnership with Intellicone HRS, which has seen the introduction of the first temporary road maintenance safety solutions to combine industry-leading modular electronic perimeters and variable message signs,  and secured several large contracts.

How did you come to manage MVIS?

I took over from Tony Price in September 2013 to become MVIS’ managing director, while remaining managing director of P&D Specialist Services, a transport technology contractor. P&D’s union with MVIS (then Colour Mobile) started with its involvement in the deployment of almost 200 VMS units for the Olympic Route Network contract for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  It was believed to be the largest single deployment of solar powered VMS in the world.

In 2013 MVIS rebranded at the same time as launching a series of new ITS solutions, including a portable solar powered journey time solution and the Solar Intelligent Platform, the only product on the market facilitating the mounting of multiple products on a single, solar powered, mobile platform.

So, what’s been happening the past 12 months you’ve been at the MVIS helm?

We’ve got a great reputation in the industry for being innovative and we’ve certainly been living up to that over the past year. Most recently we have brought new solutions to road safety along with our new partner Highway Resource Solutions Ltd (HRS) which includes Safelane automated traffic management system and the Multisafe Smart VMS, which not only improves road worker safety but does so cost effectively. We’ll be demonstrating this at Seeing is Believing.

We’ve developed our temporary journey time solution (JTS) for long-term constant use, in partnership with Vysionics, throughout Costain’s two year installation of the smart motorway scheme between junctions 28 and 31 of the M1.

In March this year our sister company Bartco UK, Europe’s first manufacturer of portable, solar powered, five colour matrix VMS was launched alongside MVIS AUS, the new Australian division of MVIS Ltd. We’re already seeing the benefits of having our products manufactured in the UK and we’re growing at such a rate we’re now looking at new premises.

The past 12 months we’ve been instrumental in reducing accidents on UK roads with the installation of 10 VMS-Cs during A-Ones+’s northbound refurbishment of the A1 western bypass between Newcastle and Gateshead. Displays were remotely switched from speed roundels to three colour pictograms in the event of standing traffic ensuring there were zero standing-traffic related incidents during their six week installation. An identical project on the southbound carriageway in 2009 using fixed frame signs saw several such incidents.

So, that was the last 12 months, can you tell us more about the next 12?

We’ve always got new projects in the pipeline and MVIS is continually evolving. I’m excited about how MVIS will grow now we have manufacturing in the UK through sister company Bartco UK, which covers the Northern Hemisphere. We currently have  a new product in testing too, however my marketing company would shoot me if I let you know anything about that! Further MVIS/Intellicone solutions will be launched soon.


Dom Bridge: Assistant Operations Manager

Dom began his career with MVIS as an apprentice and has excelled in every sphere. 

How long have you been with MVIS?:
I joined MVIS on the 1st August 2013. I started as an Admin Apprentice, then I was promoted to an Operations & Service Coordinator and now my job title is Assistant Operations Manager.

Job role:
An average day for me would be to organize the operations team tasks so they know exactly what jobs they are doing for the day ahead. I will then liaise with them throughout the day to ensure the products are delivered or fixed.

Whilst the operations team is out and about, I will be on the phone with customers providing support and arranging any future deliveries to ensure they are happy with our service.

I also spend a lot of time speaking to Graeme and Anne about any new jobs coming up so I can plan ahead to ensure we have the resources available to make sure the job runs smoothly. I am assisted with all day to day tasks by Tillie.

Recent projects:
As I work in operations and customer service I tend to get involved with all projects. The most recent projects I have worked on are the A1 60MPH pilot Scheme, M1 39-42 Temporary Wickets and the M6 and M4 CCTV projects.

We have a lot of big projects coming up which is exciting for the company.

How did you get into the industry:
I joined MVIS as an apprentice after starting an IT Course at college and working part-time. I saw the apprenticeship advertised and thought it sounded interesting and something I would enjoy.

Most fulfilling part of your role:
The most fulfilling part of my role is working as a team to get any job done to make the customer happy. I believe no job is too big or small!

More about me:
Outside of work I enjoy playing and watching football and going to the gym with friends.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-bridge-b5489a82?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Tom Hooton: Warehouse & Manufacturing Supervisor

Tom is one of MVIS’ longest serving members of staff and we are pleased to have watched him move up and up since day one.

How long have you been with MVIS?:
I started at MVIS on 6th of January 2013 as a delivery and maintenance operative. I then got promoted to technical support after six months. This year I was promoted again to warehouse and manufacturing supervisor.

Job role:
I control the work in the warehouse, making sure all the jobs get done on time and are built and checked correctly.

I have one apprentice – George Sheldon  – who is doing really well. I also work in partner with the three delivery maintenance guys Mark Ashbee, Darren Slater and Tim Hill.

Recent projects:
I am involved in nearly every project and I try to involve my whole team as well so they are constantly learning. The most recent projects have been the M6 J22 CCTV, MTS upgrades and soon to come on the 26 x VMSC for the A14.

How did you get into the industry:
I have always worked in the electrical industry as I started as an apprentice myself, and when the job came up at MVIS I jumped at the chance to work for such a good and interesting company.

Most fulfilling part of your role:
The most fulfilling part of my role is seeing the final product at the end of a build because it makes the hard work and time put into it worthwhile. I find it very satisfying to see something I have built around the country.

More about me:
I am a very happy, outgoing person and love to spend time with my friends and family. I love playing rugby for my local team Matlock and I also spend a lot of time travelling to England and Leicester Tigers’ matches.

I have recently taken up running with my boss Anne Ashman to raise money for the charity Sands, as it is a charity very close to my heart. We are running 10 x 10k runs in 10 months and I am finding it very enjoyable and rewarding.

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hooton-25540aa6

Graeme Lee: UK Sales Manager

Graeme first started working in this industry over 10 years ago, when it was early days for portable VMS in the UK. This eventually led him to MVIS as its UK Sales Manager. He covers the entire UK, from Land’s End to John O’ Groats. New customers will more often than not see him first as a representative of MVIS.

How has your role & the industry changed over the time you’ve been with MVIS?

When I joined MVIS, the Olympic Games contract was underway. Following the games, we had to develop a network of customers as quickly as possible. I’ve been very fortunate in that most of these customers have remained with us since.

The industry has changed substantially over the last 10 years. There have been peaks and troughs in levels of investment, and a steady increase in the appetite for portable ITS solutions.

What’s a ‘normal’ day for you?

Visiting existing and potential customers throughout the UK. Attending meetings, trade shows, and lately more overseas business trips.

What is your favourite thing about working for MVIS?

I have always liked the “can do” mentality at MVIS. As the team has grown, the ethos has not changed. Every member of staff is crucial, and all are prepared to go the extra mile.

What’s been one of your favourite projects so far?

I’ve been involved in some interesting projects over the last few years. Without doubt, the most testing was the Project Orange scheme on the M1 corridor last year, which saw 156 new VMS units to be deployed on sections panning over 100 miles, in a very short time frame. Not only did we have to deliver them but we had to manufacture them too in a very short time frame.


Anne Ashman: General Manager

As General Manager of MVIS Anne Ashman is the glue that binds everything together.  With a background in logistics and purchasing, Anne has played a pivotal role in MVIS’ growth from a start-up in 2010 to the UK’s leading supplier of innovative mobile and solar powered monitoring and visual information systems.  Here, she discusses her role, what her favourite projects have been and what the future holds for MVIS.

 

How long have you been with MVIS?
I joined MVIS on 5th September 2011.

Job role:
My job role consists of many different roles. I get involved in all areas of the business as I run the company on a daily basis to ensure we meet deadlines and give a top quality service. Some of the areas I work in are HR, accounts and invoicing, marketing, operations, sales, health and safety, environmental and quality.

I can be involved in many tasks on a daily basis and no two days are ever the same. I have regular meetings with our MD Pat Musgrave and liaise weekly with all three directors producing reports for them so they can make informed decisions within the company.

Recent projects:
For the last few months I have been working on the company obtaining ISO certification – ISO 9001 Quality and 14001 Environmental – and having an integrated management system. This has taken up many hours of my time but we’re certified now and that’s a fantastic achievement for the team and I. I’m now looking forward to starting on a new project.

How did you get into the industry:
Purely by chance – I saw an advert online about an ‘innovative up-coming company’ and it sounded interesting. I applied and got an interview (this was with the pervious company Colour Mobile VMS) which I got. The objective was to obtain the Olympic 2012 contract through TFL on the Olympic Route Network, which was a fantastic project for me to start with. I started as the office manager and implemented the systems that were lacking in a new startup company. Our MD’s other company P&D Specialists won the contract, and Colour Mobile VMS delivered it with them. On the back of this, MVIS was formed in 2012. I stayed as office manager for a further year and was then promoted to general manager. I had already being doing the role so the transition between roles was easy. I have now been GM for just over three years and my knowledge in all areas has rapidly increased. I often enroll on further training courses to ensure my knowledge is up-to-date.

Most fulfilling part of your role:
The part of my job I enjoy the most is operations and marketing. I love overseeing large operational projects with the whole team and making sure it is overseen from start to finish so we deliver a quality product and service. I also like planning trade shows, as my role is to plan the whole show from start to finish and ensure it runs smoothly.

More about me:
When I am not at work I spend time with my family. I am currently 4.5 years in to an OU degree and I also enjoy running.


Musgrave takes the helm of MVIS

Pat Musgrave formally took the helm as Managing Director of MVIS from the 1st October after Tony Price stepped down to embark on the next stage of his career.

Pat Musgrave says, “As a Director and shareholder of MVIS since its inception, I’m proud to take on the position as MD to continue its growth. Many will know me as MD of P&D Specialist Services with over 25 year’s in the industry. I have a fantastic management team behind me, who know our business and our customers inside and out. Let me introduce you to the team…

Dave Musgrave, Operations Director for P&D Specialist Services and a Director and shareholder of MVIS will continue to give operational support to MVIS.

Steve Young, Operations Director and shareholder of MVIS will continue to support our valued customers in London and the South.

I’m delighted to announce that Anne Ashman, formally our Office and Finance Manager has been promoted to General Manager. Based out of our head office in Matlock she is our main point of contact for customers to discuss invoices, hire, service and operations.

Graeme Lee, our Sales Manager will continue to be our main point of contact for sales enquiries and travels the length and breadth of the UK.

Matt Felce, our Technical Manager, completes the MVIS management team. Matt has further developed our portable solar powered ANPR, CCTV and Radar 2012 systems and is always on hand for technical support for our customers.

P&D Specialist Services and MVIS will continue to be be run as separate entities but under the P&D (Holdings Company) umbrella. This means we can offer even better service for all our customers, sharing best practice and resources when appropriate.

This is an exciting time for the development of both companies and I would like to thank all of our customers and colleagues in the industry for the kind messages of support since taking over as Managing Director of MVIS. We look forward to continued success with you all.”

Regards

Pat Musgrave
Managing Director
P&D Specialist Services Ltd and MVIS Ltd


MVIS continues expansion with senior sales appointment

Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS) has appointed seasoned sales professional, Graeme Lee, to support its continued growth plans.

With over 10 years experience in the VMS sector, Graeme has a wealth of technical knowledge and is well known in the industry. Managing Director of MVIS, Tony Price said, “I am delighted that Graeme has joined our team and his appointment underpins our future growth commitment.”

Graeme Lee is equally pleased with his appointment and said, “I am relishing the opportunity to work with MVIS. They’re an innovative, fast-moving company, with a great product/service offering that can make a real difference.”

For more information about MVIS see www.m-vis.co.uk