As the campaign picks up speed to connect up two-thirds of the UK to super-fast broadband services by the end of 2014, BT's local access network division Openreach is proudly deploying an eye-catching body-wrap graphic on its extensive van fleet. BT livery contractor Stewart Signs selected 3M Scotchprint Graphic Films for their high performance, cost-effectiveness and quality, backed by a fully comprehensive warranty.

To create maximum visibility for the optical fibre installation programme and build brand impact as it spreads to consumer communities across the UK, Openreach identified the potential of transforming its existing Vauxhall Vivaro van fleet into high profile, large format travelling advertisements.

A creative marketing agency was commissioned to design a piece of striking, colour-infused artwork intended to turn heads while the vans are on the move, and Stewart Signs, specialists in road and rail livery, signage and outdoor media, was contracted to manage the vehicle livery.

Openreach's Marketing Director, enthused about the new livery; "Delivering Super Fast Fibre at such speed to two thirds of the UK, is a really exciting initiative; we needed a livery for our vans that matched that excitement and delivered a new look & feel to attract all who saw them. Working closely with our creative agency and Stewarts, the new visuals have received rave reviews both internally and externally.

Eliminating vehicle graphic failure

For such a prominent project, Stewart Signs was well aware that all eyes would be focused on the end results, so it was extremely important to ensure consistent performance of the graphic while the van is in service. Any livery failure such as film shrinkage, fading, cracking, tearing, wrinkling or bubbling would undermine Openreach's professional approach to the programme roll-out and could be costly to remedy in service.

"We needed to specify a graphic film that would deliver long-lasting customer satisfaction by conforming over irregular surfaces, difficult contours and indents without the risk of future failure," said Gary Stanley, Marketing Manager, Stewart Signs Limited. "As a long standing 3M Scotchprint Graphics Authorised Manufacturer and having used 3M products for Openreach fleet livery applications in the past, we once again selected 3M Graphic Film for its ultimate durability, reliability and consistency."

Conformability ensures quality livery

Competitive wrapping films were considered for this new application but 3M Controltac Graphic Film IJ380 was chosen specifically because it allows full van wrapping, eliminates film lifting due to excess stress in the film and ensures lasting adhesion even in deep contours and 3D corrugations commonly found on many van models, including Vauxhall Vivaro's.

The film also provides the highest standards in application comfort with its unique pressure-activated adhesive. Available only on 3M Controltac films, the adhesive facilitates precise graphic positioning until force is applied and its excellent concealing power enables visually stunning graphics to be achieved with no ‘show through'. The film also has no curing time, which minimises vehicle off road holding periods, and it can be removed from automotive clear coats with heat, leaving no residue.

Fitting of the new livery is currently being rolled out as a trial, ahead of projected wider use across thousands of Openreach small-to-medium vans over the next few years. "The vehicle graphics are being fitted to vans already in service so meticulous planning to minimise vehicle and engineer downtime is a necessity," continued Gary Stanley. "Stewart Signs co-ordinates with Openreach fleet operations to book the van into the local workshop, then our dedicated fitting teams remove the existing livery and apply the new wrap."

Absolute reassurance for Openreach fleet operations

The finished graphics are backed by the 3M Scotchprint Premium Fleet Warranty, which gives Openreach the peace of mind that any future cost and disruption to its fleet will be kept to an absolute minimum. This warranty is only awarded to films that have passed through a stringent matched components system (film, protective layer, adhesive, ink and tape) and that are produced by a 3M Scotchprint Graphic Authorised Manufacturer, using 3M-approved printing technologies.

The end result is a stunning, attention-grabbing vehicle graphic of the highest quality that fully epitomises the scope and significance of the Openreach super-fast broadband campaign. Be sure to spot the new livery on the roads near you soon.

The winner of the Stewart Signs Christmas competition is Michaela Bolt, a Development Engineer at Angel Trains who correctly identified all our liveries correctly in our Name that Livery competition.

Michaela received her prize just in time for Christmas, handed over in person by our very own Elf, Stewart Signs Account manager Lisa Wright.

Michaela said; "I never win anything so this was a lovely surprise. It will be for my son although my partner also has his eye on it too... thank you to all at Stewart Signs."

Our congratulations to Michaela and thanks to all those who entered - keep an eye out for our next competition in February!

Keep an eye out on the roads for these Spectrum Property Care vehicles - sporting a smart new livery from Stewart Signs.

Working to a brief set by Spectrum Property Care's fleet management team - Stewart Signs began the task of re-branding the fleet of 250  vehicles under the organisations new group identity.

With the majority of the fleet in daily use, close working with Spectrum's fleet management team was required to ensure that ‘business as usual' was maintained.

Stewarts got to work surveying vehicles and manufacturing new livery kits while devising an application program, with Rod Fry - Fleet Manager at Spectrum, to minimise fleet disruption and remain within a strict budget and delivery schedule.

To minimise disruption to the daily running of the business, Stewarts carried out the rebrand to the vans at various Spectrum Property Care depots across Dorset, Hampshire, Devon and the Isle of Wight. Stewarts removed the old Signpost Services graphics before applying the new design during breaks in the vehicles daily duties before returning to "mop-up" groups of unavailable vehicles so applications would remain cost productive and the vehicles could immediately return to service - allowing Spectrum employees to literally drive their new group message home.

Designed to incorporate several subsidiary companies under a single brand - Spectrum, the new livery will help resonate Spectrum's "One Organisation" message to staff, partners, residents and board members, simplifying the look and feel of the group brand.

Spectrum's Fleet Manager Rod Fry commented: "The whole process went incredibly smoothly thanks to our close working partnership with Stewarts. Making sure the logistics were well planned and communicating with our operatives to ensure vans were in the right place at the right time was crucial for this project. The hard work has paid off and we're really pleased to see our newly liveried vans driving across the region."

Stewart Signs have been busy putting the finishing touches to these stylish newly wrapped Class 334s for ScotRail.

They are being rebranded in the new unified livery which incorporates Scotland's flag, the Saltire - and means that Scotland's trains will have a uniform look for the first time.

The specification includes maximum material life so as to keep the units in the same uniformed look even in the event of a franchise change.

The new livery application, which was announced by Transport Scotland, is carried out during normal maintenance schedules.

All 40 Class 334 3-car units are being transformed to bear the Saltire livery by mid 2014, and the "ScotRail, Scotland's Railway" brand will be rolled out across the train operator's entire fleet of more than 300 trains over a number of years.

As well as supplying comprehensive label branding kits, Stewart's engineered the full colour digitally printed wraps in bulk from their Eastleigh factory incorporating cutting-

-edge graffiti-protection laminates to combat vandalism issues.

Stewart's also produced the new livery on the two Class 334s used for the formal launch of the new £300m Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link which brought direct rail connections to Edinburgh and Glasgow via Bathgate, Drumgelloch and Airdrie, with new stations at Armadale, Blackridge and Caldercruix.

www.scotrail.co.uk  www.transportscotland.gov.uk