Hostile Vehicle Mitigation System wins double award

Debbie Heald MBE (centre) with Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon (right) and Simon Towers, Chairman of the PSSA (left)

HEALD Ltd, the Yorkshire based manufacturer of hostile vehicle mitigation systems, which protect some of the world’s most high profile buildings from vehicle attacks, has been presented with two separate awards for their sliding bollard product, the Matador.

The firm was presented with the Perimeter Protection Award by the Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon at the Counter Terror Awards which was held during the annual Security & Counter Terror Awards in London. Heald’s MD, Debbie Heald MBE was also shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to Counter Terrorism category.

The award follows on from Heald being presented with the Innovation Award at the Made in Yorkshire Awards just the week before, which also saw the firm shortlisted in the Manufacturer under £25m category. Winners go on to compete in the Made in the UK finals in June.

The Matador is currently the world’s only IWA crash tested surface-mount automatic bollard system tested to withstand a 7.4tonne truck travelling at 40mph which requires no excavation whatsoever and can be installed onto a suitable concrete base in a little under four hours.

This innovation, which also includes the option for sliding bollards to allow access by emergency responders or other permitted vehicles, makes the Matador perfect for short-term or temporary solutions. Whereas for more permanent installations or those where a suitable base is not available, the Matador can be installed with a 100mm excavation to leave the top of the unit flush with the surface of the road.

The Matadors were used to secure the entrances to the 2012 Olympic Games in London and subsequently removed following the event. More recently Matador’s have been installed on a permanent basis to secure the perimeter of the famous French Quarter in New Orleans and at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens .

Commenting on Heald’s innovation award, the Made in Yorkshire judges said: “Heald behaves like the £50m global leader that it will one day be.”

Debbie Heald, MBE added: “I am delighted that our Matador product has been recognised for the innovative product it is. We are seeing continued success with the Matador due to its ease of install and high level of security while still enabling permitted vehicles past the perimeter defence”.