Integrity’s Parking & Secure Documents (PSD) business was expanded with the acquisition of The Parking Shop at the end of last year. The Parking Shop already had a relationship with the Dutch inventor of the Pillar Protector product, and the parking division team now intend to step up this activity as Covid restrictions are eased and retail and travel activity ramps up.

“Motorists and concrete pillars have famously had a difficult relationship, with pillars either reducing the number of spaces available or restricting the size of parking bays. Pillars make parking difficult for customers in a space where minor misjudgements can cause major damage. Pillars themselves can also be damaged resulting in car parks looking untidy and unkempt to customers or worse, requiring expensive infrastructure repairs,” the firm said. 

The Pillar Protector combines a high quality printable vinyl outer layer with a heavy-duty 30mm foam core. They are produced in bespoke sizes to fit onto different types and sizes of pillar.

The protectors are fixed in place using a concealed zip mechanism, meaning no physical fixings are required to be attached to the pillars. 

Gavin Reddin, managing director of PSD, said the advantages were manifold. 

“It allows for a cheaper refurb of a potentially grubby, unwelcoming parking area. The Pillar Protectors can display useful customer information such as entry and exit signs, or directions, as well as promotions,” he explained. 

“It’s a win-win for the parking operator because they make the place look nicer and there can be advertising income.”

Pillar Protectors are in widespread use on the continent, including at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport car park. 

Reddin said PSD was currently looking for manufacturing partners in the UK for the product.