New traffic management production line puts social enterprise on road to greater business

Recognising the importance of supporting veterans, this year’s VE Day celebration was also an opportunity to highlight improved employment opportunities at Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).

Representatives of HW Martin, the traffic management experts, visited RBLI on VE Day to witness the commissioning of the factory’s latest new road sign production line, as part of the national company’s on-going partnership with the military charity. The new facility will build upon the 154,000 road signs that the charity’s social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), produced last year at its Aylesford site.

Andy Graham, Operations Director at HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd, said: “It was great to visit the new production line and meet some of the veterans who work there. To do so on this National Day of Commemoration was particularly important as it recognised the vital work being done to provide rewarding employment for those who have served our country. RBLI shares our commitment to excellence in operation.

“Three years ago, we joined RBLI’s National Highways Challenge and committed to buying signs that make a real difference and generate a social benefit. With RBLI we have a partnership that meets the needs of our teams and customers, while at the same time supporting veterans. This new way of working paves the way for an even closer relationship.”

Following discussions with HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd and other customers, RBLI established a dedicated production line for signs for the traffic management sector. This enables RBLI to produce and store more road signs in its warehouse, improve delivery to sites, as well as speed-up the turnaround of bespoke orders.

Colin Harsant, RBLI’s Managing Director – Social Enterprise, said: “As a founding partner in this new production line, HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd is enabling us to employ more veterans and to improve opportunities for career progression. It was a pleasure to show Andy and the team around the production line on such an important day.

“This investment is part of our ongoing plans to improve our service and quality of what we do for our customers, and our aspirations to invest in a much-needed new factory.”

RBLI has recently submitted a planning application for a new factory at Aylesford in Kent for its social enterprise team, to create a purpose-built home for BBMC, which employs veterans overcoming life-changing injuries.

The proposal is to replace the charity’s existing 1970s factory and offices at Aylesford, at a total cost of £12.5m. The new 68,000ft² purpose-built facility would continue to produce road and track side signs for the road and rail industry.

The new sign production line is at RBLI’s Aylesford factory, one of three operated by the military charity in Kent, Surrey, and Scotland, with 70% of its workforce being veterans or people with disabilities.

For more information about RBLI’s social enterprise activity visit: www.rbli.co.uk/what-we-do/social-enterprise