2022 sees 20 years in business

Amberon Traffic Management is celebrating its 20th birthday this year!

The company was founded in 2002 and has since become a leading provider of traffic management services across the entire UK. Proudly operating from 29 depots nationwide, Amberon TM has seen existential growth over the last 20 years.

Officially born on 8/4/2002 the journey has been a long, sustained story of success and growth ever since.

Founded by David Burnett and Andy Pegg, the original Amberon blueprint was the hiring of battery powered traffic lights within the county of Devon and branching out by supplying local authorities and civil engineering companies throughout the south-west.

In 2002, just 3 employees began on the Amberon journey, with David and Andy accompanied by Tracy Collinge. The team quickly grew to half a dozen people, including current Regional Director for the Southwest, Ryan Harris. In 2022, the well-oiled nationwide machine that is Amberon Traffic Management is now home to over 800 employees across its 29 depots.

A New Era

In 2017, David and Andy decided that they had earned the right to a happy retirement from the business. With the support of the outgoing owners, Current MD Terry and Commercial Director Dan were able to secure finance and organise a management buyout.

Current Managing Director Terry Musson (left) and Commercial Director Dan East (right)

Amberon had previously bought sign manufacturer JTM Signs and then in 2018 purchased Barrier Services Limited, in 2019, Amberon acquired Mervyn Lambert Plant’s Traffic Management division, MLP Traffic. As a result, the company has gone from strength to strength via its diversification as well as expansion.

Under current MD Terry Musson and Commercial Director Dan East, the company has evolved into a full Traffic Management service incorporating high and low speed traffic management, as well as traffic light hire, project management and turnkey solutions for its many clients. Not only that, but the Amberon evolution has seen the company explode outside of its Devon beginnings and position itself as one of the UK’s largest traffic management companies, operating nationally on a day-to-day basis.

Looking back

Reflecting on the last 20 years, we asked Amberon MD Terry Musson to discuss what he believes has been the key to Amberon’s growth and longevity. Terry told us:

“I think our ability to implement a culture that embraces and adapts to change has been vital. You can’t stand still, and you can’t rest on your laurels. Having great people who understand that and respond to that has been key. Our people and our culture have laid the platform for growth into a market leading company, without a doubt.

When asked about the biggest changes within the sector over the last 2 decades, Terry added:

“Whilst safety was always paramount. The safety provisions across the industry are markedly improved. The viewpoint and attitude of traffic management as being a safety critical service is in itself a huge change, let alone the products and protocols available to ensure roadworker safety.

“The level of innovation in the industry is also significantly different and improved for the better. It’s something we’re striving for with regularity. A constant ‘How can we do this better?’ approach to our services.

We asked the MD how Amberon has adapted to those changes and continued to thrive. Terry concluded:

“Our people are key. Our people and their approach. To being a leader, to acting and responding quickly to the market and its demands, to changes in legislation or process and of course, putting the customer first.

“I truly believe that if you are a client centric operation that truly cares about those you are servicing, then that is ultimately the key to longevity – you do it because you want to do it.”