Ardent Group announces brand integration of vehicle safety division Forman
Safety expert Ardent Group has announced it will officially transition Forman Vehicle Services, its public vehicle specialist division, into the Ardent brand in a relaunch taking place at the Euro Bus Expo in November.
Forman was acquired by Ardent Group in May 2019, providing Forman with the global infrastructure support and bolstered supply chain it needed to grow. Since then, it has operated as a division of Ardent. Now, the two brands will become one, sharing a unified message and voice.
Welcoming the move, Neil Crowther, Managing Director of Ardent, said, “We’re delighted that Forman is formally transitioning and adopting the Ardent brand. The expertise and vehicle safety specialism of Forman’s staff has been a tremendous asset to us since they joined the Ardent family in 2019. We now feel the time is right to unify our brand messages and speak with a single voice.
“As one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, the Euro Bus Expo is the perfect setting for us to launch our integrated brand. We’ll get to combine the strengths of both brand identities and our customers in the bus industry and beyond will get the exceptional service and support that they expect from Ardent going forward.”
Ardent has been renowned as a world leader in industrial fire suppression for decades. Its acquisition of Forman in 2019 allowed it to further develop into a complete safety solutions provider with a diverse product portfolio that offers a wide variety of safety and accessibility systems to a broad range of sectors.
Crowther added, “This strategic move to unify our brands helps us to further develop our global footprint. Ardent is now an international brand that serves many different sectors with various vehicle safety and electronic solutions, and we feel it is only right that we speak with one voice in every market. This will help us better communicate with both new and existing customers, no matter what their needs are or where they are based.
“We now have one voice and one message; ‘We are Ardent and we are First for Safety’. We look forward to sharing this message across the world, and there is no better place to start than at Euro Bus this November.”
Ardent’s leading range of safety solutions for buses and coaches include automatic fire suppression, pedal safety, vehicle diagnostics, and accessibility systems, including an induction loop hearing aid system to ensure hearing aid users can receive important announcements from bus drivers. All of these solutions and more will be exhibited at Ardent’s booth on stand D26, at the Birmingham NEC between 1-3 November.
Journeo demonstrates the importance of connected transport technology at Euro Bus Expo 2022
Journeo is marking the return of Euro Bus Expo to showcase the latest innovations in transport technology, which help operators, authorities and hubs deliver smarter, safer and more sustainable services.
These technologies have been combined into an interactive ‘connected transport experience’, showcasing the benefits and efficiencies integrated and open architecture solutions can provide. Visitors to Stand T10 at the event can explore:
- The latest release of the Journeo Portal, which generates insight from critical on-vehicle systems – from CCTV and passenger counting, to telematics, driver behaviour and more.
- A preview of the forthcoming Journeo Blind Spot Information System, which is designed to detect vulnerable road users intelligently and alert drivers to their presence.
- QR-code-driven real time passenger information that improves accessibility and passenger experience.
- An augmented reality showcase of passenger information displays, including the newest, sustainably powered e-paper units and options for every part of a transport network or hub.
Russ Singleton, Chief Executive Officer at Journeo, commented: “Euro Bus Expo has always been a chance for us to connect with everyone across the industry. This year, more than ever, the event is crucial, as we emerge from the shadow of Coronavirus and face new opportunities and challenges. The team has worked incredibly hard to develop new solutions designed to give the public renewed confidence to choose public transport and move away from private vehicles.”
Mark Johnson, Director of Fleet Systems at Journeo, said: Euro Bus Expo really is the place to showcase the latest products. Which is why we’re delighted to highlight the supercharged version of the Journeo Portal with new telematics and driver behaviour features. The Portal is already used by several operators – such as Abellio, First Group and Arriva – to improve the management of CCTV and footage requests, system maintenance procedures and operational management processes. These new capabilities offer more opportunities for customer experience improvements and efficient fleet management.”
Darren Maher, Group Development & Communications Director at Journeo, added: “The Journeo Portal is also the solution of choice for transfer and shuttle operations at many of the nation’s busiest airports, including Gatwick and Stansted, where it combines vehicle data and systems with journey time predictions and real time passenger information.
The future roadmap for the Journeo Portal includes increased integration with vehicle sensors and sub-systems, and a fully featured content management system for RTPI solutions. By the start of next year there will be over 10,000 vehicles connected to the platform, with this figure continuing to increase as new customers join.”
The Journeo team will be on hand to demonstrate the capabilities of all these solutions, as well as the existing range of technologies, on Stand T10 in the Technology Zone at Euro Bus Expo 2022.
Muirhead to showcase self-disinfecting leather seat covers at Euro Bus Expo 2022
Muirhead, a trusted supplier of Fine Scottish Leather to some of the world's most respected passenger transport and aviation brands, will showcase its self-disinfecting ActiveHygiene technology at Euro Bus Expo 2022 in Birmingham next week.
Developed to safeguard passengers and rebuild confidence after COVID-19, Muirhead's ActiveHygiene leather with Polygiene Biomaster ViralOff® technology is a sustainable product with built-in antimicrobial self-cleaning properties – permanently integrated into the leather during production.
Kevin Smith, Head of Mass Transit, Muirhead, said: "Since the pandemic, the bus and coach sector has seen a rapid increase in demand for best-in-class seat hygiene. This is why we're proud to showcase Muirhead's innovative ActiveHygiene technology – an immediate solution to the challenges of the pandemic, enhancing the hygiene and protection of passenger transport interiors for the future."
Using the latest ViralOff® technology, developed by Swedish company Polygiene AB, Muirhead's ActiveHygiene leather reduces bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 – the cause of COVID-19 – by more than 99% in less than two hours.*
Renowned for creating the lowest carbon leather in the world, Muirhead is trusted by most European bus, coach, and rail operators for its exceptional durability, comfort, and reduced total cost of ownership.
Archie Browning, Sales Director, Muirhead, added: "Muirhead has been manufacturing the finest sustainable Scottish leather since 1840, with innovation at the very heart of the business. Known for its luxury and durability, Muirhead has developed new products that offer a more hygienic solution for customers increasingly focused on well-being and lighter weight materials – supporting the move to greater efficiency and greener mobility solutions."
"All Muirhead leather is made in the UK and sets the benchmark as the lowest carbon leather available to the transportation sector – making it the most durable, hard-wearing, and long-lasting material for bus and coach interiors."
Visitors to this year's Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham can meet the Muirhead team at stand C78. Seat designs using high-performance Muirhead leather will also be on display at the Isringhausen, Lazzerini, Alexander Dennis, Kiel Seating, TEK Seating, Chapman Driver Seats, and Pelican Bus & Coach.
For media enquiries, contact Balint Brunner via Aero PR at [email protected] or +44 74 2314 8828.
NOTES TO EDITORS
• Scottish antiviral leather innovation, ActiveHygiene, to be revealed in Birmingham
• Self-cleaning leather eliminates 99% of viruses and bacteria in two hours*
• Euro Bus Expo attendees can meet the Muirhead team at stand C78
*Against tested viruses, SARS-CoV-2, H3N2 and H1N1 - according to ISO18184:2019. No specialist cleaning is required. Polygiene Biomaster ViralOff® does not prevent diseases but protects the treated material.
Polygiene Biomaster antimicrobial technology complements existing cleaning protocols, working between cleans. Treatment is always-on, built-in to the leather as part of our sustainable manufacturing process. Tested to 50,000 cycles on the Martindale abrasion rub test (ISO 12947-2).
About Muirhead
Muirhead, established in 1840 and part of the Scottish Leather Group, is one of Europe's oldest tanneries; it is widely recognised as a leader in responsible and future-looking innovation of a versatile range of Fine Scottish Leather for a select group of prestigious global brands. Muirhead leathers are made to travel the world - on 160 airlines, in mass transit cabins, and in the marine, furniture, and luxury goods industries.
