The origin of the business began with the acquisition by Northern Engineering Industries plc (NEI) of a Canadian company in 1978.
In 1987, a UK distribution office was set up to supply the developing UK market with reflective disk electronic displays and first generation variable message signs.
At this time, the business primarily supplied components to Original Equipment Manufacturers. Rolls-Royce acquired NEI in 1989, and the UK sign business became a part of Rolls-Royce Industrial Controls. In 2003 the business became independent and continued with the same management team under the new name of Variable Message Signs Limited.
First generation
In its early years, the UK business grew into the design and installation of signs for driver information and public transport passenger information, scoreboards, advertising and city centre applications. These first generation signs were based on flip disk and fibre optic displays. The business was operating in a variety of small sectors and did not have the scale to grow in all of them.
VMS today
Variable Message Signs Limited (VMS) has been a market leader for a quarter of a century and supplied thousands of messaging signs and traffic management systems.
At the core of all our products is ground-breaking and unique LED technology, supported by advanced electronics, powerful software and flexible communication techniques. In addition to tried-and-tested designs, we offer bespoke solutions, responding to the exact requirements of a worldwide spectrum of customers.
Our depth of expertise enables us to deliver complete solutions, from design and development, through manufacture, test and installation, commissioning and after-sales service; all to a level worthy of a world-class company.
VMS products fall into two main categories: Road - with a product range covering applications in the highways, urban, and traffic management equipment sectors, and Rail, where our new super lightweight range of rail LED trackside signals and LED long-distance signals are breaking the mould in this sector.
Bill Hamilton
Managing Director
Roger Stainforth
Deputy Chairman
Mark Johnson
Technical Director
Phil Hood
Procurement Director
Tony Isaacs
Business Director - Rail
Geoff Rogerson
Business Manager
Fundamental to VMS's Whole-Life Strategy for its products is that they shall:
• Continue to be
compliant with the appropriate
Industry Standards
• Be fit for the purpose of the use intended
• Have a cost-effective operating life
To achieve these objectives Variable Message Signs Limited has an approved ISO9001:2000 and TickIT Guide 5 Quality Management System, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 which are subject to tri-annual re-certification and six monthly surveillance visits by an external accredited organisation; VMS use Lloyds Register Quality Assurance for the certification process.
The Quality Management System encompasses a complete Business Process including the following disciplines:
• Tendering
• Engineering
• Purchasing
• Assembly / manufacturing
• Test and Inspection
• Site Work
• Finance
Within each Business Process aspect there are structured Company Procedures that dictate the means by which VMS conducts its business and produces its products.
