SECTOR FOCUS

BESPOKE BROADCAST

Airwave, a leading UK provider of secure and resilient communications for emergency and public safety organisations, is the developer of Apollo – a stand-alone communications infrastructure enabling private mobile radio service for use during London 2012. This will provide guaranteed,

secure communication coverage for up to 18,000 Games staff and volunteers, from stewards and security personnel to anti-doping offi cials, allowing them to maintain contact with each other.

Apollo has been purpose-built to

provide mobile radio to all London 2012 competition venues from the Olympic Park itself to sites across the country, from Glasgow and Manchester to Coventry and Weymouth. The network became ready for operation in July and will be used until December 2012. David Sangster, UK services

director at Airwave, said: “We are incredibly proud to be an offi cial supplier to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A co-ordinated and safe event is a top priority for the organising committee

READY FOR INSPECTION

Surrey-based Rapiscan Systems Ltd will provide in excess of 2,000 vehicle and people screening, and baggage and parcel-inspection systems to every London 2012 venue, including the Olympic Village, and Games-related events throughout the capital and the UK. These will be used to provide security and threat-detection capabilities to safeguard athletes, visitors, employees and other workers at the Games. Ajay Mehra, president of Rapiscan Systems, says: “The importance of our appointment goes far beyond its commercial value. The confi dence that LOCOG has demonstrated in Rapiscan demonstrates our leadership in security screening solutions.

“Our technology allows for both superior non-intrusive threat detection and

extremely high throughput, so we will be able not only to improve security, but also enhance visitor satisfaction.” > rapiscansystems.com

and a secure and effective radio communications system is a critical piece of infrastructure required to deliver it. At a time when thousands of people will be fl ocking to London, Apollo will help to make sure the Games go without a hitch.” > airwavesolutions.co.uk

LIFTING THE BARRIERS

Bristol-based counter-terrorism security company Avon Barrier recently won orders totalling more than £10m across the Middle East. Avon Barrier is providing oil and gas companies with road blockers and gates to protect prime locations from pumping stations to large oil terminals. These orders are recent examples of the high demand for Avon Barrier’s products in the Middle East, where there is a heightened risk of potential terror attacks. To support delivery of the deals, the company has doubled its production space and employed 24 additional staff, including welders, fabricators and electrical technicians. Managing director Paul Jeffrey said: “These orders mean that we can grow the business by more than 30 per cent over the next two years.” > avon-barrier.co.uk

LET’S DO BUSINESS FOR FURTHER information on the

UK’s security industry, contact Stuart Cole on 020 7215 8256 or email stuart.cole@ukti.gsi.gov.uk

44 | springboard | www.ukti.gov.uk