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Broadcast systems integrator wins record BBC contract

Written by Tony Quested

Wednesday, 02 April 2008

IPE, the UK’s longest established, independently owned broadcast systems integrator, has clinched a £3 million contract with the BBC and marked its silver jubilee year by going back to its roots – moving from Newmarket to Melbourn Science Park. John Chalmers (left) and Colin Judge IPE's co-founders and directors The company has experienced tremendous growth since being founded on April 1, 1983 by John Chalmers, formerly of Neve Electronics, to capitalise on the emerging market for ILR (Independent Local Radio) installations. It remains under the same ownership and direction a quarter of a century on. IPE started life with a staff of two as one of the first tenants of the embryonic Melbourn Science Park. It grew so successfully that a move to new premises in Newmarket was necessary. Further growth saw the business move back to its spiritual home near Royston on April Fool’s Day. IPE designs, installs and commissions the technical facilities in radio and television studios. Nearly everyone in the country will have watched TV and heard radio programmes that were made in IPE-equipped studios, from Strictly Come Dancing to everything on Radio 1. Today, IPE employs a large team of 16 engineers and turns over several million pounds per year. Further growth in headcount is expected in 2009. The company has invested £375,000 in a 580 sq metres production unit, into which it has added another 275m2 mezzanine floor poviding office space. The expanded premises will be put to good use immediately, as the company is also celebrating winning its largest single contract – the £3m BBC deal. IPE has just been nominated as the BBC’s chosen contractor to provide a fleet of six outside broadcast vehicles over the next three years. The new premises will enable the company to work on three of those vehicles simultaneously, as well as its ongoing projects and work scheduled on the BBC’s Broadcasting House rebuild, the corporation’s new facilities in Manchester, and projects for the 2012 London Olympics. “We have moved several times over the years, in order to find premises large enough to build complete radio stations”, said founder and MD, John Chalmers. “Melbourn will be more convenient for our staff and customers, and feels like home to IPE. Our new premises will greatly increase our production capabilities, and we’re planning to remain there for a long time to come.” Co-founder and technical director, Colin Judge, said IPE’s success was a result of combining years of experience with sound engineering skills, and a management style that keeps both staff and customers happy. “We’re still being successfully foolish 25 years on,” he said. IPE has worked in all continents of the world (Antarctica excepted). Today,its work is mainly UK-based, including major studio, transmission and outside broadcast facilities for the BBC and independent broadcasters. IPE is currently developing its first product for commercial licensing. The Integrated Display System (IDS) is a new technology for integrating clock and other information displays in broadcast premises. A large IDS network is currently being integrated with the automation system in Technicolour's ITV Playout to Facility in Chiswick, with slave units in all regional ITV studios. Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 478 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

 

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