With more than two decades of experience in the design and manufacture of vehicle warning systems, Haztec International continues to develop innovative safety technologies. Its new programmable message sign represents the next step in the evolution of fleet communication and visibility.
Published on Oct 9,2025 at 11:40 AM | Updated on Oct 22,2025 at 6:27 AM

Founded in 2001 by Bryn Tennant and Peter Ballard, Haztec International is a privately owned British company based in Leeds. Since its creation, the company has specialised in developing lighting and warning systems for professional and emergency vehicles. Today, its products are used by police, fire and ambulance services, as well as rescue, recovery and utility fleets, in more than fifty countries worldwide.

The company operates from extensive premises in Leeds that bring together research, design, testing and manufacturing. This integrated structure allows Haztec to maintain full control over product quality and to ensure that every stage of development meets the same rigorous standards. Its approach combines robust design processes, high-grade materials and components, and continuous in-house testing under demanding environmental conditions.

Haztec’s products meet international standards including UNECE Regulation 65, which certifies light intensity and colour, and UNECE Regulation 10, covering electromagnetic compatibility. The company’s testing facilities also simulate exposure to vibration, corrosion, water ingress and acoustic pressure, ensuring reliability in the harshest operational settings. Production is managed under ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems, providing consistent results and traceable manufacturing processes.

 

A New Generation of Message Signs

At the centre of Haztec’s latest innovations is its next-generation programmable message sign, designed to deliver improved clarity, ease of use and operational flexibility. The system can store up to ninety-nine individual messages, each displaying ten characters, while longer messages of up to forty characters can be shown across several linked pages. The use of surface-mount LED technology provides enhanced brightness and even light distribution, ensuring high visibility both day and night.

Users can choose between amber or red LEDs, depending on operational requirements. The sign supports both alphanumeric text and simple graphic symbols, and can display customised bitmaps when required. To maintain legibility in all lighting conditions, Haztec offers an optional fitted sun shield, while the unit’s weather-resistant housing ensures continued performance in rain, dust or vibration-prone environments.

The sign can be installed as a compact standalone device with an adjustable mounting bracket, or integrated directly into Haztec’s XL75, Xpert or Xpress lightbars. For specialist operations such as airport ground vehicles, the company also provides versions that comply with ICAO Annex 14 and CAP 168 Type C or D flash patterns. This flexibility makes the system suitable for a wide range of applications, from roadside safety vehicles to industrial or airside operations.

 

Flexible Control and Integration

One of the strengths of the new message sign lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing vehicle control systems. Operators can display messages through Haztec’s CANbus handsets and controllers, allowing rapid activation of priority or pre-set alerts. The sign can also be configured to respond automatically to twelve or twenty-four-volt input signals, displaying chosen messages whenever the corresponding input is live. For fleets with a large library of messages, controllers such as Haztec’s Modulux or 8-82316+ units provide an intuitive LCD interface for scrolling and selection.

This flexibility enables the same core product to be used in very different contexts. Emergency response teams can display high-priority instructions instantly, while service or maintenance fleets can programme standard safety messages relevant to their work. The design philosophy reflects Haztec’s broader commitment to compatibility and ease of use across its product range.

 

Design, Quality and Support

Haztec’s engineering and production teams work closely to ensure that every component meets the company’s high standards for performance and durability. Each product undergoes a series of environmental and endurance tests before release. Internally, conformity of production audits verify that every manufactured unit corresponds to its approved specification, providing assurance of consistent performance over time.

Customer support is an integral part of Haztec’s service. Technical and sales specialists assist clients from the first enquiry through to delivery and installation, offering guidance on product selection and configuration. Each system is supplied with full documentation, including installation guides, test certificates and wiring diagrams. Thanks to extensive component and finished-goods stock, the company can meet short delivery lead times and support fleet roll-outs efficiently across different markets.

Haztec will present their latest innovations and wider portfolio of lighting and vehicle safety systems at Milipol Paris, where visitors will have the opportunity to see their systems in operation and learn more about the company’s ongoing work to improve visibility and communication for professional fleets around the world.

Visit Haztec International website