Lighting up Paris: UK businesses shine at the Olympics with ATA Carnets
The excitement of the Olympics was palpable during the extravagant opening ceremony, and now the games are in full swing with teams competing fiercely.
This global event represents a golden opportunity for UK businesses to showcase their expertise on an international stage. Central to the organisation of this event is a crucial document called an ATA Carnet, which simplifies the temporary exportation of goods. Business West proudly supports UK companies with our ATA Carnet service, ensuring their equipment reaches Paris efficiently and cost-effectively.
The Importance of the Olympics for the UK Economy
The Olympics are more than a sporting spectacle; they are a significant economic driver. UK businesses supplying the Olympics gain increased visibility, new opportunities, and substantial economic impact. From lighting to sports equipment to technical gear, these companies play a crucial role in the games' success while boosting the UK economy.
To highlight this, we spoke with two customers, SLX and EFM Global, who used Business West ATA Carnets to temporarily export equipment to Paris in 2024.
Alastair Currie, CEO of SLX, Bristol
SLX Limited, a production and technical solution provider to live events, broadcast, sports and theatre sectors, was originally part of the Stage Electrics Group that started in 1979. In 2019, Alastair had the opportunity to exit the business and set up SLX Limited. The pandemic provided the opportunity to rethink operations and, at the same time, bid for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which drove their thinking into sustainability and EDI (Equality Diversity Inclusion).
Ben Silas, Managing Director Europe, EFM Global, Egham Surrey
EFM Global is an international logistics consultancy that specialises in logistics solutions for urgent and complex projects within the sports, music, TV/film, exhibition, and events sectors. With over 20 years of experience in planning and executing logistics for major international sports events and tours, EFM has played a pivotal role in events such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, FIFA World Cups, Asian Games, Rugby World Cups, and World Athletics Championships, managing the intricate logistics behind these time critical global events.
ATA Carnets & the Olympics
With over 1 million customs transactions annually and 200,000 ATA Carnets issued each year, these documents are vital. They allow goods to move smoothly across borders, simplifying customs formalities that are crucial for an event as complex as the Olympics.
Ben, at EFM states:
“The Olympic Games are the single biggest event in the global sporting calendar (even bigger than FIFA’s World Cup Finals due to the complex multi-sport nature of the games). Almost two-thirds of the world’s countries participate, with all the major global broadcasters and TV networks providing live or streamed coverage”.
How have you been involved in Paris 2024?
Alastair/SLX: “Through our work with the Commonwealth Games, Paris heard about us and approached us to bid for the games in Paris Olympics and the Paralympic Games.
We went through a long tender process and won the contract. We are providing the broadcast lighting and rigging for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics to 29 outer Paris venues throughout the games.”
Photograph: Some of the SLX team working on lighting rigging at the Olympics, Paris 2024
Ben/EFM: “We have been working in close liaison with organisations, including French customs, to help our customers navigate the Olympic manuals to get their equipment inside the venues!
“The team has been busy moving broadcasting equipment, cameras, sports equipment, performance analysis assets, medical and nutritional supplies, uniforms, and more for the ceremonies production teams, global broadcasters, National teams, rights and non-rights-holding broadcasters and broadcasting rental companies, sponsors, and suppliers.
“We have worked on every Olympic & Paralympic Games since Sydney 2000.”
Have you used Carnets before?
Alastair/SLX: “Before this, no. Just the odd thing we have transported to Europe on a Carnet. This has been our first real big push into Europe, particularly post-Brexit, so we have been up to Leigh Court [Business West’s HQ] quite a lot recently collecting ATA Carnets!”
Ben/EFM: “ATA Carnets are a core part of our business, so we are very familiar with them! A Carnet acts as a ‘passport’ for goods and equipment to be temporarily exported into France (Paris). It is an internationally recognised customs process that ensures ‘temporary’ goods move in/out of countries without paying customs and duties. Using an ATA Carnet ensures the goods move smoothly with unnecessary and unwanted Customs border issues.”
Photograph: Some of the EFM Global team unloading equipment
How has the ability to transport equipment with ATA Carnets impacted your business operations?
Alastair/SLX: “We've had to adapt our in-house software platform that manages our lighting equipment to enable us to pull out the information we need for Carnets from value and weight to barcode. We don’t want to get it wrong. And the other problem, of course, is that we're working to very tight deadlines and sometimes we might not know the final count on that lorry until the day before because of additional requirements. I think the Business West team have done a great job of getting the Carnets turned around as quickly as they can.”
Ben/EFM: “The ability to easily transport equipment with the ATA Carnet has significantly streamlined our business operations. It has reduced customs delays, saved costs on duties and taxes, and simplified the documentation needed to move goods globally. In addition, our ability to deliver and, therefore, help teams set up equipment quickly and efficiently has improved customer satisfaction.”
As both SLX and EFM mentioned… all this equipment has to come back! And that is where the fun starts! As Alastair said:
“The big impact will be the return to the UK. I think we'll put more resources in here to ensure that that happens efficiently.”
What opportunities has the Paris Olympics opened for your business?
Alastair/SLX: "This project is a real accolade for our business and team, especially given the challenges we've faced over the last few years. Emerging from the pandemic with such a positive achievement is phenomenal. We're now setting our sights on future opportunities, including the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026 and Paris 2030, aiming to ensure continued growth and success."
Ben/EFM: "Every four years, suppliers, partners, and participating countries seek a reliable logistics partner to transport their assets to host cities. EFM excels in supporting sports organisations, production companies, and broadcasters with our expertise and knowledge of major global sporting events. We look forward to continuing our growth and delivering exceptional service for future events."
How has your experience working with Business West been?
Alastair/SLX: “Working with Business West has been excellent. The team has been very responsive, and Carnet turnaround times have been quick. The eCert portal has been great. So yes, it’s been a strength.”
Ben/EFM: “I have only positive things to say about the Business West Carnet team. They are wonderful to work with and helpful, immediately responding to any request. They are also a great team of friendly people who go above and beyond to help us if we need it.”
Sustainable movement
Finally, as a B Corp, we are keen to hear about your measures to ensure the sustainability of your operations.
Alastair/SLX: “We employed a sustainability and social values manager who helped transform our thinking around how we operate as a business and has done incredible things, to such a point that we've managed to make a contribution of £300,000 back to Birmingham from what we had managed to do through sustainability and the circular economy, and we are proud to have completed our B Corp accreditation in January last year.”
Ben/EFM: “We recently partnered with two organisations that will help us meet our Environmental, Social, and Governance goals. Positive Planet assists in reducing our climate impact by measuring our carbon footprint, advising on emissions reduction, providing training, and supporting our journey to net zero. Pledge helps us to support our customers in meeting their sustainability goals by allowing them to calculate and offset their unavoidable carbon emissions.”