The Company:  An established, family run company which has been in business for over 50 years. We are the UK Master Distributor for Whelen Engineering (USA) and the market leader in the supply of light bars and siren systems into the UK Police, Fire and Ambulance services.

In addition, Woodway has designed a range of vehicle mast systems equipped with high specification camera systems which are providing new and exciting opportunities both in the UK and internationally.  We are an engineering B2B company so do not deal with the general public.  Check out our latest product video https://www.woodwaynightowl.com/

The role: As a small company, the job role is varied and extensive.  Reporting to the Marketing Director, you would be required to support the UK Sales Managers and also our International Distributors. This position would suit someone who is self-motivated and is able to work unsupervised and enjoys a variety of work.   A problem solving and outgoing personality is essential. You will be required to interact both internally with staff and externally with customers and attend UK exhibitions. You must have the ability to manage and prioritize deadlines and have good attention to detail. Tasks you would be expected to be involved with include:

• Writing brochure, PR and quarterly newsletter copy.
• Producing and updating brochures/flyers, product instruction manuals, graphic panels and producing other presentation materials to support internal sales and Distributors.
• Managing relationships with external agencies and suppliers for website design, brochures, printing, corporate videos, photographers, exhibition design etc.
• Liaising with external suppliers for the development of a new corporate website and product videos.
• Organizing and attending exhibitions.
• Updating website
• Updating social media, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Maintaining branding guidelines and ensuring all promotional materials comply.

Skills required for the job:

• A high level of English and copy writing skills.
• Competent with Adobe, specifically Photoshop and In- design.
• Competent with Microsoft word, excel and power point.
• Familiar with WordPress, Magneto and Wix for updating and managing Woodway website
• Work under pressure and to deadlines and be prepared to learn new skills.

Desirable but not essential: Degree or CIM marketing qualification and interest in photography.

A full UK driving license is a necessity with this position.

Please forward CV  details to:  dtaylor@woodwayengineering.com

Dacia Duster featuring the Whelen Justice

Dacia Duster with Whelen Justice Light-bar

Whelen’s ION and Vertex lighting equipment is normally fitted to the Yamaha FJR 1300 bikes but the Duster was a new and very specific vehicle application which required a lightbar solution with the same high quality and effective warning capability as used on the traditional blood bikes.

One of Midland Freewheelers' blood bikes ready for delivery

Woodway were pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile charity.

An image of the new BMW X5's featuring Woodway Whelen equipment.

The charity took delivery of a fleet of three BMW X5 rapid response vehicles (RRVs) to complement air operations. The three Authority specification BMW X5 vehicles are situated at the organisation’s three airbases – RAF Cosford in Shropshire, Tatenhill airfield in Staffordshire, and Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire. Already in action, the new cars are deployed if a helicopter is grounded, for example during the hours of darkness or a period of particularly bad weather.

Front view of the new BMW X5's featuring Woodway Whelen equipment.

The brand new BMW X5 with Woodway Whelen equipment

Becky Steele, air operations manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity added “Our medical crews are trained to the highest standard and these high-tech vehicles complement our operations perfectly. Thanks to their capability and the kit on board, they are already enabling us to save even more lives across the region.”

Whelen IONs donated by Woodway

Whelen Fend Off ABS donated by Woodway

Whelen Liberty II Lightbar donated by Woodway

As well as the above products donated by Woodway, we also helped supply the BMW X5's with Sirens, ION T-Series and more. Midlands Air Ambulance are independently funded so do not get any government funding, and rely mainly on donations, which helps them to continue the great work they do in the Midlands area. Find out how Woodway can help you with unique applications. Contact our sales team on sales@woodwayengineering.com

Nissan GTR, featured in the previous season

This year we have provided equipment for the new BMW I8, which has been equipped with a Whelen Justice bar with a Green, Amber and Red lighting light-bar. The vehicle was also fitted with two LED Microns fitted into the grills. As well as this, we have also added these equipment to the BMW M2 and BMW X5!

BMW I8 With our Micron and Justice Bar

A Closer view of the Red/Amber/Green Safety Car Justice Bar

The event organisers were keen to use our Woodway Whelen equipment again, due to the quality of our products from the previous Nissan GTR, and the simplicity they get from using us.

A view of all the safety cars featured in this seasons BSB Races

Woodway are always looking to help customers with bespoke applications, please do not hesitate to contact us if you require anything for your vehicles by email: sales@woodwayengineering.com   Don’t forget you can follow the latest in the BSB 2017 season by following there Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/britishsuperbike

American company Zero is the market leader in electric motorcycles and the Zero DS combines 110 Nm of torque, which is a near 100mph top speed and a range to empty of over 80 miles in mixed conditions.

The Zero DS bike which has been spotted around Isle of Man

The Zero DS is a groundbreaking technology in electric biking, and it is only right they came to Woodway for the lighting and livery on the bike. The bike has been fitted with a Whelen Vertex dome, blue lighting on the front and rear, as well as Whelen TIONs on the side of the motorcycle. Woodway also provided the livery for this bike as well.

Zero DS with our Vertex Dome

Zero DS with a TION and Livery

Zero DS with a TION and Livery

The bike had been on patrol from May 27th and 9th June, with the Isle of Man Constabulary trialing the bike for this period, as well as using the bike for PR duties. Constable Andrew Greaves, who rode the Zero DS, commented: “I’ve been very impressed with the Zero and the way in which it performs and handles. It has certainly created a lot of interest. The bike has drawn a crowd wherever we’ve gone and there have been a lot of questions from members of the public. I’ve enjoyed riding the Zero and I can certainly see where the silent running of an electric motorcycle can bring big benefits when out on patrol.”

Constable Andrew Greaves with the Zero DS

Private buyers of Zero Motorcycles in the UK are eligible for a £1500 Government grant. For full details of the current Zero range, visit: www.zeromotorcycles.com/eu

If you want to find out how Woodway can help you, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team on: sales@woodwayengineering.com

Vauxhalls awaiting completion

This move has made Vauxhall into Europe’s largest Police vehicle supplier, being able to deliver up to 2500 emergency services vehicles per year, and this includes supplying both the UK’s Fire and Ambulance services. It will also enable Vauxhall to respond to the UK’s latest vehicle procurement deal which has been signed by 28 forces and involves more than 3000 vehicles over two years. Vauxhall has responded to the needs of UK Police Forces who require a one-stop shop for blue light vehicles and they ensure all vehicles are fit for purpose when used by the emergency services as well as providing vehicles that are fully equipped and ready for active service when delivered to the customer. Vauxhall’s turnkey solution also includes full maintenance provision during the vehicle’s lifetime and extends to in house decommissioning services; all these elements of support removes many of the headaches of the past encountered by Emergency Services Fleet Managers.

As part of Vauxhall’s turnkey solution, they are keen to ensure that where possible the Bluelight content is supplied by UK companies which includes Woodway Engineering. Currently, the British content figure for converting a standard Police vehicle stands at an impressive ninety percent.

Woodway has been part of Vauxhall’s supply chain for over ten years, building blue light equipment in our registered ISO 9001/2008 Coventry factory; this factory certification ensures quality and conformity of manufacture to companies like Vauxhall.

Work being done on Justice bars

“Woodway have continually delivered the quality product demanded by the emergency services and this backed up by service and warranty fits with our philosophy to provide our customers with a total vehicle solution.” said Dick Ellam, Vauxhall’s Manager Special Vehicles

The Justice lightbar was selected by Vauxhall for its reliability and performance and its ability to fit to a wide variety of vehicles in the Vauxhall range from the GP vehicles like the Astra and Corsa to the larger Movano and Vivaro commercial vans. In addition to the Justice light bar, Woodway supplies Vauxhall with Vertex, IONs and Linz 6 light heads and siren systems.

Vauxhalls ready for production

Thank you to Vauxhall for their cooperation in the production of this article.

New LFB Vehicles using Woodway Equipment

After a long association with the London Fire Brigade, stretching back over twenty years, Woodway’s equipment continues to be specified on their appliances. The latest vehicles will be equipped with a full package of Woodway lighting and siren systems, including the Freedom light bar- a favourite with fire services in the UK. In addition, Woodway’s roof mounted Night Owl retractable mast system, designed to quickly illuminate a scene with high intensity LED lighting, has been fitted together with M4 Light heads which have been positioned around the vehicle at eye-level on the side of the engines, meaning other road users can be better alerted when fire vehicles are turning into the road.

A 1990 FL10 Aerial Platform LFB Vehicle and the new 2017 LFB Vehicle

The Project Response Programme has been running for 2 years now, and has continued in helping the students at Bracknell and Wokingham College Uniformed Public Service (UPS) and the Bracknell Police Cadets who are interested in joining the emergency services.

Jamie and Liam, both second years, are the second and third from the right in the above picture taken during pursuit training in 2016.

Woodway Engineering have helped by donating Whelen Micron LED grill lights which have been used on the colleges Peugeot 206. As well as this donation from Woodway, Thames Valley Police previously donated a Whelen Mini Justice Lightbar.

“The vehicle is really useful when doing role plays and it helps us get into the role plays because we have to use equipment and we enjoy it more.” – Sophie, Police Cadet and 1st Year Student from Red Troop, Uniformed Public Services.

Since the programme has started, the Project Response Programme has helped 32 Police Cadets and 137 UPS students have been educated using the Peugeot 206!

Bracknell and Wokingham College's vehicle equipped with the new Whelen Micron grille lights

As well as this, the Project Response Programme has also been involved with working with the real emergency service 5 times since the programme started.

If you want to look at the work Bracknell & Wokingham College do, head over to http://www.bracknell.ac.uk/

After the success of the first ever one last year, this year the conference was held on a bigger scale. Held at the stunning venue of Coombe Abbey, which is just down the road from Woodway, the Whelen European conference took place for 2 days and many vital discussions took part working together Woodway and Whelen and the European Distributors.

The schedule included two days of product training and discussions. Also in attendance at the event was the CEO of Whelen Engineering, George Whelen, Project Engineer James Whelen and International Sales Manager Gregory Scott.

Thank you to all who attended, and we look forward to seeing you again next year, and continue this yearly meeting!

We shall keep you updated on the next Woodway Whelen European Distribution Conference!

Taken outside Coombe Abbey, the delgates of the European Distribution Conference

Acklea – one of the UK’s leading Traffic Management Equipment Suppliers – has built a nationwide reputation as a provider of vehicle solutions and places the safety of workers at the top of its priority list when designing vehicles. They understand the challenges faced by Highway operators who work in the most demanding road situations - on busy motorways, at night time and in poor weather conditions. The brief to Woodway’s Product Development team was to provide an illumination system which would improve on the existing balloon lighting system which had traditionally been fitted onto Traffic Management Vehicles.

Nightowl Mast on an Acklea Vehicle view from the front

THE REQUIREMENT WAS SPECIFICALLY:

• To provide an effective lighting system for Acklea’s customers which would illuminate the operator’s working area and provide a safe working environment.
• To design a system that would not interfere with the existing vehicle structure, specifically the vehicle’s steel work which accommodated large road signage.
• To include a handset which could be operated from inside or outside the vehicle’s cab.

Woodway’s solution was a bespoke pneumatic mast system with combined spot and flood lighting which was fitted behind the cab area of the vehicle, to the existing vehicle structure.

Nightowl Mast on an Acklea Vehicle from the rear

Outcome:

This mast system has been so successful with Acklea’s customer that it has now been fitted into 14 vehicles with further installations to shortly follow.

MAIN BENEFITS INCLUDED:

• A mast extending to 2.6 meters in height fitted with 2 x 70 watt spots lights and 2 x 70 watt flood lights (32,000 lumens in total) plus a R65 certificated LED amber independently switched LED amber beacon.
• A handbrake release system designed to prevent a vehicle operative accidentally pulling away with the mast system fully extended. The mast was designed to automatically park when the handbrake was released.
• Bespoke software for the hand control unit ensured the mast would park with no structural interference with the existing vehicle structure.
• A handset located inside the vehicle which may be operated outside the vehicle on a 3 meter coiled wander lead.

Here at Woodway, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and understanding the needs that are most important to them. To find out how Woodway can help you, please contact our sales team: sales@woodwayengineering.com