Automotive manufacturers in the UK are retrofitting projected safety signage into their facilities to improve health and safety in fast-moving factories.
That’s according to data collected by Projected Image, providers of LED projectors which shine vivid health and safety signs onto surfaces like floors, walls and doors.
The projection experts say the automotive industry is one of the biggest adopters of the solution, with many businesses opting to install the projectors throughout their factories.
Ian Spoors, Managing Director of Projected Image says: “We’ve recently worked with a number of big-name car manufacturers in the automotive industry to fit our innovative projectors in their existing facilities.
"Due to the large-scale, fast-paced nature of their operations, projected signage is being brought into their facilities to improve safety, especially for awareness of pedestrians and forklifts."
Projected Image state that projected signage tackles a number of challenges faced by the automotive industry, including chipping, fading and ‘sign blindness’, which is when workers involuntarily disregard or neglect frequently viewed signs.
Strong, vivid projected health and safety signage is hard to ignore and never loses its impact.
According to the projected signage experts, large-scale projects such as those in the automotive industry usually require a site visit.
This is due to the vast size and space, different layouts and light levels in each warehouse or factory, which often need a bespoke solution.
Ian says: “Automotive factories have so many different operations within their premises. From spraying, painting and coating, to pressing, casting and assembly – there’s lots going on, involving a range of people, machinery, products and chemicals.
"With over 25 years’ experience in projected signage, we provide a personal consultation and technical survey to take accurate measurements and resolve any issues to ensure clients receive the exact size and design required” adds Ian.
As well as the projectors, Projected Image manufacture the glass optical filters, known as gobos, and pride themselves on being the only company globally who can provide this end-to-end service.
They work with clients to design and create gobos tailored to specific requirements, such as ‘keep clear’ markings, pedestrian crossings, forklift warnings and even branded designs.
While projectors can sometimes be installed in select areas, such as cold or wet environments or locations of heavy footfall, Projected Image are increasingly seeing businesses opt for a whole factory transformation as they replace all traditional signage with projected alternatives.
“Just supplying the projectors isn’t enough to give satisfactory results, which is why we design and supply gobos too.
"Plus, if a signage change is needed, we can create a new gobo which can be easily swapped.
"Whilst reprinting or repainting signs can be time-consuming and costly, the simplicity of projected signage minimises disruption to the production line and keeps operations flowing efficiently and safely” says Ian.
As well as working with top car brands, Projected Image have supplied projected signage for other major manufacturers across the UK, including Coca-Cola, Mowi Scotland and BAE Systems.
“Projected signage is increasingly affordable, especially as it can provide consistently eye-catching signage up to 50,000 hours, with very little maintenance.
"We’ve seen rapidly rising popularity of projected signs amongst a range of businesses, which is only going to increase in 2025.” concludes Ian.