Signpost Solutions acquired by APT in planned Strategic Group Enlargement

APT Controls Limited, the UK’s premier provider of vehicle access control systems for parking, traffic and security applications, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Signpost Solutions Ltd (SPS) of Tipton, West Midlands.

SPS is the largest manufacturer of traffic signposts and signal poles in the UK and the industry’s leading player in Passive Safety structures, including Lattix sign masts and KAPU lighting columns, both of which are designed to meet the European norm, EN12767.

With a commitment to significantly grow the size of its business over the coming years, this acquisition is seen as a major opportunity for both companies, as APT Controls Group Chairman Andrew Sampson explains. “There are synergies between APT and SPS including a complementary customer base and product ranges, and obvious cross-selling opportunities to match our ambitions within the highways sector.

“Just as important,” he continues, “is a shared heritage and management culture that stems from both being owned previously by the same parent group, before completing successful Management buyouts.”

SPS’ Managing Director, Peter Moore, who will join the main Board of APT Controls, is similarly enthusiastic about the new partnership: “Both companies are market leaders in their respective fields, are financially strong and have a keen focus on customer service. In many cases we are talking to the same customers, and that provides a solid foundation for future growth.

Although now part of the APT Controls Group, SPS will retain both its brand and its key management and personnel. It will continue to operate independently from its two sites in the West Midlands. Other members of the APT Controls Group, which now has over 200 employees and combined sales of over £30 million, include APT Technologies, APT Street Services, APT Security Systems, and APT Skidata.

“Together with SPS our strategy is to build a leading group of complementary businesses supplying infrastructure and services for the transport and traffic management sectors,” Andrew concludes.

The announcement reflects a new investment strategy adopted in 2007, following the acquisition of a significant minority stake in APT Controls by Risk Capital Partners. Significant investments have since been made in the group’s existing infrastructure.

APT’s acquisition of SPS is seen as the first stage of a planned strategic group enlargement with a focus specifically within the transport and traffic management sector.

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www.aptcontrols.co.uk

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SignPost Solutions Ltd | Unit 5 - Clarendon Drive | The Parkway | Tipton | DY4 0QA
TEL: + 44 (0) 121 506 4770 FAX: + 44 (0) 121 506 4771 E-MAIL: traffic@signfix.co.uk

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Signfix have supplied the Traffic Signs industry for over 25 years, firstly with their innovative sign fixing range which set the standard for all to follow.

The Sign Fixings range has been much copied over the years but still remains the most comprehensive and widely used product in the traffic sign industry.

Adding Sign Posts and signal poles to the company’s portfolio was an obvious route for Signfix and led to the company once again breaking new ground by being the first company to offer a Passive Safety product to the traffic sign market - Lattix.

However, Signfixings, Sign Posts and signal poles will remain as key structures within the groups product portfolio and are seen as the bedrock from which the Passive Safety movement developed.

To accommodate an MBO in 2003 Signfix became Signpost Solutions although the Signfix name remained as the brand name for the Signfixing range.

Signpost Solutions are now recognised as the market leader in all things related to traffic sign supports - signposts, Sign Fixings, signal poles and Passive Safety.

Passive Safety is now a regular consideration on all new road designs. It has been recognised as a key safety measure by the Highways Agency to assist in their well publicised 10 year accident reduction target.

Initially just encompassing traffic Sign Posts, Passive Safety has, within the last few years, been rolled out to include Lighting Columns, camera masts and in some instances Variable Message Signs and gantries.

Lattix was the first Passive Safety product installed in the UK and since the inaugural installation in 1995 Signpost Solutions have delivered over 7000 masts from which there has been in excess of 50 RTA’s involving the mast with no reported injuries.

Although considered to be a contradiction in terms, ‘Crash Friendly’ is the new nom de plume for Passively Safe street furniture such as Traffic Signs and Lighting Columns.

The expression ‘Crash Friendly’ evolved from a competition instigated by Ginny Clarke, the former head of safety at the Highways Agency. A number of similar descriptive phrases were entered but ‘Crash Friendly’ was chosen by a small committee of senior engineers from the Highways industry.

The unofficial web site for the industry, the ‘Passive Revolution’ followed up the decision by producing special Crash Friendly tape for fitting to such products that are not immediately recognised as being Crash Friendly or Passively Safe.

Passively Safe Signs were first introduced on the A4 in London by Signfix. The 1995 installation was followed a year later by the first Advance Direction Sign which was trialled in Cheshire by the County Council who were the first authority to realise the life saving potential of Passively Safe Signs.

However, this early success was short lived and although the Passive Safety product was well established in Scandinavia, the UK did not buy into the concept until the beginning of the new Millennium when Lattix Passively Safe Signs were installed on the prestigious A43 Towcester/Silverstone Bypass.

Since then there have been over 7000 Lattix masts installed with over 50 reported non injury accidents.

Lattix is now a regular sight on the UK Highway making the road much safer for the motoring public.

The success of Passively Safe Signs was instrumental in the HA adding Passively Safe Lighting Columns to the revised Advice Note TA89/05.

Passively Safe Lighting Columns are now being considered for many new Highway Schemes by the Highways Agency Managing Agent Contractors and are slowly coming to the attention of local and County street lighting engineers.

Passively Safe Lighting Columns offer similar safety benefits as signage with the added provision of High Energy potential on some types of construction such as KAPU poles.

High Energy (HE) poles are designed to deform on impact but will stop the vehicle rather than allow the vehicle to continue with relatively little retardation which is the hallmark of Non Energy products. HE poles are therefore suitable for any environment.

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Signfix - Having been established since the early 1970s we have a wealth of experience in providing high quality traffic posts, clips and banding for the Uk. Signfix systems is based on the success of the patented sign channel and sign fixing clips. Other products include cantilever systems and steel posts as well as off set brackets and hoop signs. Our services include installation of breakaway mounting systems and sign installation or even lattix and passive safety systems too. In addition we have knowledge of the passive revolution and passive safety. Our expert, friendly staff are always ready to answer your questions and enquiries. Feel free to contact us today.