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A Smith Gt Bentley Ltd Frating Colchester Essex England CO7 7DL

Tel: 01206 250380 Fax: 01206 250509 Email: info@asgb.co.uk

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Tue 21st July 2009

New OB Unit brochure for download

Our latest Outside Broadcast Unit brochure is now available for download.
Right-click link and choose 'Save As...' to download the brochure to your computer...

• 54231_OBU_Brochure.pdf (1.3 MB)

 

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Wed 15th July 2009

Italian flair for hospitality built on British engineering know-how

One of the best-kept F1 trackside secrets is out - those stunning hospitality units which play host to Formula One's guests and corporate sponsors are built by British engineers.

The sleek and stylish multi-storey motorhome complexes which grace every F1 event including the world's most fashionable motor racing circuit in Monaco are created by specialist engineers ASGB, just a few miles from Clacton-on-Sea.

The contrast between Clacton's kiss-me-quick hatted teenagers and Monaco's Martini-sipping sophisticates could not be greater, but it is the quality of the engineering at ASGB which attracts the Formula One elite.

Since 2007, the Italians have made their way to this little-known part of Essex to commission the ultimate in trackside hospitality for the drivers and sponsors.

The latest was delivered on time for Barcelona, the first European F1 championship race of the current season.

The 50-tonne structures feature at every European Grand Prix venue from Istanbul to Valencia.

The motorhome, which is transported and assembled race-by-race throughout the European season, sits in prime position in the paddock at each grand prix.

The upper floor is reserved for the team and includes two drivers' rooms. The ground floor is reserved for team sponsors and its clients and guests. There is a bar on each floor.

The air-conditioned complex contains showers, reception desks, connecting stairway, bars, restaurant, microwave communications and more than 31 LCD screens to monitor the race action including some 70-inch monsters.

ASGB's responsibility was to deliver a flawlessly-fabricated unit, using a technique known as synergic MIG welding to create the aluminium box section superstructure.

The company then deployed a raft of specialist skills, working with stainless steel, adhesives, vinyls, leather, wood, curved glass and many other materials to achieve a beautifully-finished and burnished piece of Anglo-Italian F1 chic.

The services trailer section contains a Michelin-standard kitchen with, of course, a pasta cooker and is connected to the rest of the building with a cunning seal to ensure a snug and seamless fit.

"It is both a pleasure and a challenge working with our clients and their designers because they place such tight engineering tolerances on the project", said Julian Page, Production Manager: "And, of course, quality is paramount.

"Getting the famous rosso red exactly right is a good example. The paint was supplied mixed. Four coats of red had to be applied on white primer with no imperfections.

"We baked the paint after the 4th coat of red to ensure the lacquer remains bright. We then added two coats of clear lacquer, baked that and left it overnight. The paintwork was then rubbed down again and a further two coats of lacquer applied.

"We create the motorhomes around four modules and each module took between 14 and 20 days to achieve paint perfection".

And that's just the PAINT!

Jon Williams, of Procar International Ltd, who project managed the production of the units said: "We have worked with ASGB on many projects and always been impressed by their level of skills and attention to detail. This motorhome is an excellent demonstration of ASGB's ability to achieve the targets of a very demanding, international, selection of design studios, on time and to the highest standards".

Additional facts and figures
To create the unique motorhomes, ASGB worked with 35 tonnes of aluminium, 12 tonnes of steel, 50 kilometres of electric cable, and 2,200 litres of diesel tankage.

The sleek design incorporates curved glass windows and a hydraulic ram that safely prepares the glass within the central façade for storage during transportation. The units are assembled at motor racing circuits around Europe with the assistance of a 110-tonne crane.

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Mon 22nd December 2008

Russian Success

A recent arrival in Moscow is the new 16 camera outside broadcast vehicle for Russian Television and Radio (RTR).  This unit follows closely on the heels of two other outside broadcast trailers made for private broadcasters XXL in Moscow and Mariinsky in St Petersburg.

The RTR unit is a 13.6m trailer with two expanding sides providing a total of 53 square metres for Production, Audio and Engineering.  The unit was delivered complete with all services including air conditioning and heating to deal comfortably with the extremes of the Russian climate.

The build was ordered by Sony's Professional Services Division and their Head of the OB Team Malcolm Robinson added "we are pleased to continue the excellent working relationship with ASGB, each customer is different and by working closely with the team at ASGB we are able to offer solutions that meet the customer needs"

ASGB's Russian success with RTR and Sony continues with an order for three more outside broadcast units for The State broadcaster scheduled for completion early summer 2009.

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Wed 10th December 2008

A second new Paddock Complex for Formula One Motor Racing

ASGB has secured an order for a second new fully relocatable paddock complex, which will make its debut at Barcelona, the first European F1 meeting for the 2009 season. This follows the success of the complex built in 2006/2007 for one of the leading teams and which can be seen in the news article below, dated 1^st June.

Both complexes will stand together in the F1 Paddock, and will cover a total area of around 313 sq metres, with a height of 9 metres.

The complex's air conditioning, hydraulics and power supply are supported by a technical services trailer which houses the air conditioning plant designed and constructed by ASGB, an hydraulic plant, and also designed and constructed by ASGB, a large diesel driven ultra-silent generator set providing the total power requirement of the complex. All systems are managed by ASGB’s own computerised control system, with touch screen operation. The facility to remotely monitor and carry out fault diagnostics and correction from ASGB’s premises provides instantaneous back up to the on board crew.  

The technical services trailer also houses a large spacious stainless steel kitchen with all essential utilities and equipment.

The complete project is being managed by Procar International Ltd who will follow it through from its inception to completion of the construction and then on to manage the operation of both complexes for all European events.

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Fri 6th June 2008

Two New HD OB Units delivered to France

ASGB has recently delivered two new outside broadcast units to the Euromedia Group, a leading provider of broadcast services in Europe.

The recently enlarged Group Headquarters is in France, with operations in the UK, Germany the Netherlands and Belgium. Both the new outside broadcast units will be based in France, where one will be operated by Societe Francaise de Production (SFP) and the other by Euromedia Television.

Speaking on behalf of Euromedia Emmanuelle Cherrier the Technical Manager said "we are delighted to receive these excellent units from ASGB. We selected ASGB as our choice of manufacturer because of the high quality of their products and their reputation within the mobile outside broadcast industry"

Euromedia's statement:

Because of the quality of previous truck builds this truck will again be built by the coach builder of Road Runner 1, ASGB, based in Colchester (UK). Road Runner 3 will provide a more ergonomic and welcoming work space in the production area. The Technical areas such as VT, Edit and engineering will offer a spacious working environment. Internal space will be maximised, like in Road Runner 1, thanks to an easily deployed side expansion.

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Fri 6th June 2008

Large Order for 5 Outside Broadcast Units is secured

The Algerian state broadcaster L'Entreprise Publique de Télévision (EPTV) has instructed Sony Professional Services to build five High Definition Outside Broadcast Vehicles. Responsible for transmitting three channels of locally produced news, entertainment, culture and sports programming to French and Arabic speakers in the region, EPTV has awarded this contract to Sony as part of a major modernisation strategy and its move towards HD production. The trucks will include 48 HDC-1550 HD cameras; 80 LMD monitors; 10 HDCAM VTRs; and five Sony video switchers amongst others.

The £2 million pounds contract to construct these OB units has recently been awarded by Sony to ASGB. It will run throughout 2008 with the final unit due to be delivered in December. Sony will carry out the broadcast equipment integration as the units are delivered to their site at Basingstoke, UK.

They will be equipped with our own unique expanding side technology, complete electrical installation, computerised control of the hydraulic stabilising system and air conditioning, a full working roof platform, desks and interior fittings and décor.

Malcolm Robinson the Head of OB Team, Sony Professional Services said "this order further reinforces Sony’s confidence in ASGB’s high quality build standards and reliability. These units need to be able to withstand the challenges of operating in desert conditions".

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Wed 6th February 2008

Outside Broadcast Unit to be built for Australia

ASGB is delighted to have received an order from international broadcast solutions provider Gearhouse Broadcast to build an outside broadcast unit for their Australian subsidiary. The 28-camera Unit will be 13.6m long and, with three expanding sides is believed to be the largest OB ordered for the Australian market.  The unit will be built to satisfy both Australian and European regulations and will have the flexibility to work in either region. It will feature the ASGB proprietary water cooled air conditioning system enabling the Unit to cope with the exigencies of the Australian climate, whilst taking up a minimum amount of space. 

This order has arisen following a successful relationship in the UK with Gearhouse Broadcast’s sister company, O21 Television for which ASGB has built two large OB’s and a Tape Truck, one of which was exhibited at the 2007 IBC in Amsterdam.

 This will be the first large OB that ASGB has built for the Australian market and will provide a benchmark against which all future Australian OB’s will be measured. 

Gearhouse Broadcast Australia MD, Graham Elliot said: “The New Australian ASGB facility will offer the market a production facility that will set the bar for innovation, technical strength and ergonomics in its working environment.” 

The facility is designed to service large scale OB’s: Music concerts, Reality and High End Sports enabling GHB to inboard all aspects of the work flow for greater controllability. 

Kevin Moorhouse added: “this High Definition OB unit will offer our Australian clients a very powerful and flexible production facility” 

Based near London, Gearhouse is a market leader in the sale and rental of broadcast equipment and through its subsidiary companies operates Outside Broadcast fleets in the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. 

The Australian unit will be used in the first instance to cover Australian Rules football (AFL) but its unique design and size will ensure it is the vehicle of choice at the largest sporting events in Australia, the region and beyond.

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Tue 4th September 2007

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Fri 1st June 2007

New F1 Paddock Complex for Ferrari unveiled at the 2007 Barcelona Formula 1 meeting

Ferrari unveiled their new fully relocatable paddock complex for the first time at this year's Formula One Grand Prix meeting in Barcelona.

The complex, which was constructed by ASGB at their manufacturing facility near Colchester, is made up of four separate modules which connect together. The modules contain offices, meeting rooms, a bar, and toilets and showers. There is also a service unit incorporating power, air conditioning and a kitchen. Once in place with the modules on each side, a dining area is formed within a central courtyard. A viewing terrace is situated on the roof.

Each module is transported separately on low loaders and are craned into position on site.

When completed the paddock complex is 11.5m. x 14m.

The paddock complex can be seen at Formula 1 motor racing events throughout Europe.

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Our premises are based at Frating, near Colchester. We are 1 mile from the A120/A133 junction giving easy access to the dual carriageway and motorway network. We are 45 minutes from Stansted Airport and 20 minutes from the ferry terminals at Harwich.

How to Find Us

Coming from A12 either from London or Ipswich take the A120 exit at Colchester North/Ardleigh. It is signposted for Harwich and Clacton.

Follow the A120 for approximately 5 miles and take the first exit, A133 signposted to Clacton.

After approximately 1/2 mile there is a roundabout. Take the 2nd exit (sharp right) heading towards Elmstead Market. After 3/4 mile we are on the righthand side shortly after the 40 mph restriction sign and 200 yards before a set of traffic lights.


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