Business - Knowledge

The next steps towards obliterating pointless road signs were announced by the Department for Transport on 28th August 2015. A taskforce overseen by Sir Alan Duncan MP will tackle the overuse of traffic signs while a consultation proposes a range of new measures including: ensuring road signs that are used far longer than needed have a ‘remove by’ date; making sure traffic signs are visible on unlit roads; and stopping temporary message signs from being cluttered with adverts and distracting logos.

The taskforce forms part of the government’s ongoing work to make roads safer and navigation easier for motorists, scrap unnecessary red tape, and declutter roads.

Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin said: "Useless traffic signs blight our landscape, waste taxpayers’ cash and can be a dangerous distraction to drivers. We are restoring common sense to Britain’s roads while ensuring drivers have the information they need to get about safely. We have already made much progress but Sir Alan Duncan’s new taskforce is an important step towards striking the right balance."

Research carried out by the Department in 2013 showed that the number of traffic signs has doubled in the last 20 years. Sir Alan Duncan MP’s taskforce will make practical suggestions for removing clutter and ask whether some signs can be removed altogether. It will also look at what can be done to change the culture within local authorities to reduce signing and consider the factors that lead to sign clutter.

Britain is renowned for having one of the best traffic signing systems in the world but the 2002 legislation that underpins it is now widely viewed as out of date, meaning some signs are either confusing, redundant, or both.

Sir Alan Duncan continued: "I have been campaigning on this issue for twenty years. I am delighted to lead this initiative. The UK has erected thousands of road signs which are completely unnecessary, such as traffic light warning signs when you can see the lights themselves. We are going to look at how we might get rid of whole categories of unnecessary signs and improve the look of our roads and streets."

To enable local authorities to make a difference without having to wait for new regulation, DfT has already relaxed requirements for design and placing of some signs, and new robust advice has been published to helped local authorities declutter roads. For the last 3 years DfT has also sponsored the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation Reducing Sign Clutter award, to highlight and reward good practice by local authorities.

The taskforce will begin work soon and present its recommendations to government by December 2015. The consultation will close on 6 October 2015 and DfT will respond in due course.

In recognition of its considerable contribution to the HP supply chain, the GDL Network has also recently been appointed an official reseller of the new range of HP Scitex flatbed printers. The company has a long established relationship with ArtSystems who have been distributors of the new Scitex 550 and 750 since their launch in April 2015 and GDL Network will be using their state of the art facilities in Nottingham to showcase these products.

GDL Network member companies are part of a much bigger picture that not only sells HP wide format print equipment but uses them within their own commercial environment, giving testament to the quality of the products they sell in that they trust them to fulfill their own customers varied and pressing requirements. This unique insight and first-hand knowledge of the quality, efficiency and production capabilities of HP’s entire range of large format printers means that fellow print service providers can be assured that they are buying from a network of companies that practice what they preach. The organisation counts some of the longest standing UK suppliers of Graphics and CAD materials amongst its members, with 21 members in total; all of which also run print bureaus alongside their consumables and hardware supplies businesses and thirteen with dedicated HP Large Format Printer Showrooms, spread right across the UK.

Throughout the months of September and October, the GDL Network is opening its doors to the trade, so print companies can see the latest range of HP wide format printers in action in a working print environment, similar to their own. Already a HP Gold Partner reseller, members will be showcasing the latest offering from the HP Latex 300 series (HP Latex L370) as well as the HP Latex 310, 330 and 360. The GDL Network HP showrooms taking part include London, Nottingham, Hull, Preston, Woking and Worcester.

GDL Network members include John E Wright & Co which was established in 1900 with an incredible 115 year history and Repropoint Ltd in Woking who just celebrated their 40th anniversary last month. Jim Vaughan, managing director of the GDL Network comments: “There is an enormous wealth of expertise within the membership and because they do not compete with one another, they are prepared to share this expertise, which in turn enables them to advise customers when considering the purchase of new equipment for their own print businesses. We often use one member as a test site, which can provide the whole group with invaluable experience of the machines in a working environment. We are a great example of practicing what we preach and only sell products that our own members actually use in their bureaus and know to be reliable and robust, delivering great quality for the best value.”

For more information on the full range of HP wide format equipment available through GDL Network, visit http://www.hpdesignjet.net/.

To find your nearest GDL Network Open Day or to book an individual demonstration at a time that’s convenient to you, visit http://www.hpdesignjet.net/demo.

In its quest to offer the Australian market high quality digital textile printers, New South Wales based specialist supplier DGS has signed a formal agreement with Dutch manufacturer Hollanders Printing Systems to distribute the company’s wide-format ColorBooster 250 and ColorBooster 320 sublimation and disperse systems. These will be complemented by the ColorFix fixation unit and the ColorWash machine which are designed to work alongside the print units to generate optimum colour saturation and overall quality and feel.

Hollanders Printing Systems introduced its robust yet modestly priced ColorBooster 250 series in 2014 as a 2.5m workhorse printer that is able to produce high quality throughput with a variety of modular options. This machine is now also available in a 3.2m model, designated the ColorBooster 320, which gives users the same versatile configuration choices according to budgetary and production requirements, including numbers of print-heads and colours, and integrated climate and humidity control.

Both the Hollanders ColorFix and ColorWash units are designed using the same ergonomic and rugged construction as incorporated into the company’s printers to generate high quality results across all fabrics and application types. Both independent machines, the ColorFix incorporates middle-wave infra-red energy that provides consistently precise temperatures across the full width of the textile, resulting in high UV resistance, colour vibrancy and durability. The ColorWash is designed to use low levels of water and recycled hot air circulation, and is available in a choice of modular configurations according to end-user needs.

DGS is a well-known supplier of wide-format printers, consumables and accessories in the Australian market, with in-depth knowledge of all ink-jet technologies and application requirements. The company had been looking for a suitable series of rugged and reliable textile production units, and settled on the Hollanders machines after visiting the company’s stand at FESPA in Cologne.

“Australia is a strong growth market for textile print production where users need a robust and dependable platform. They also want to work with a long-standing distributor that is familiar with user requirements in this specific industry segment,” states Rowan Bloemberg, Marketing Manager at Hollanders Printing Systems. “The partnership with DGS is an important step forward for Hollanders and endorses the growing appeal for the company’s products world-wide. The machines are engineered to work in all environments, even those where humidity and temperature can pose a problem for many printing machines.”

Designed to produce high quality soft signs, point-of-sale and retail display applications, the additional refinements that can be made to the ColorBooster 250 and ColorBooster 320 broaden its suitability for all-round textile printing. Starting with a four-colour configuration, accommodating Ricoh MH5420 print-heads, the 2.5m model can be upgraded to six heads with six colours and the 3.2m machine includes eight heads and eight colours for users requiring a wider gamut. Additional options include climate cooling and heating plus humidity and dust control.

The Hollanders Printing Systems portfolio of printers also includes the ColorBooster DS duo of machines, available in two widths of 3.2m and 2.1m which incorporates simultaneous double-sided production and integrated fixation. This system features on-board climate control and enables 24/7 production. The company’s 3.2m ColorBooster XL also retains its position as a leading industrial-strength platform which, again, is designed around a modular concept and can be tailored to suit specific customer requirements.

The FASTSIGNS® Co-Brand and Conversion programs continue to be top growth drivers for the global franchise, which has more than 590 sign, graphics and visual communications centres in nine countries.

In particular, demand from independent print and photofinishing operators across the United States is high; FASTSIGNS has signed 12 Co-Brand franchise agreements in the past eight months alone. The program allows independent business operators with print-related services to add the FASTSIGNS brand and full-suite of solutions, while retaining control of their existing business. Co-Brand franchisees consistently report that the program has added value for customers, promoting long-term growth opportunities for their businesses.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. executives and company representatives will be sharing these successes at the National Business Media (NBM) Show in Philadelphia August 28-30 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Booth No. 214).

Independent business owners can join FASTSIGNS through its Conversion and Co-Brand programs for as little as $10,000 down in addition to reduced royalties.

Co-Brand franchise partner Donna Booth - who owns Prestige Printing and FASTSIGNS of Columbus, Ind. - found that her new partnership with FASTSIGNS allowed her and her team to operate more effectively. She said, “I’m doing everything from marketing to taxes to production, but there are only so many hours in the day. FASTSIGNS really helps me with marketing, and I don’t have to do all the research from scratch when it comes to things like looking for new equipment. Plus, with FASTSIGNS’ support, I’m able to jump into areas I wouldn’t have, like channel letters, which have a lot of risk and hefty expenses. FASTSIGNS representatives will talk with my customers on the phone to make sure the order is right, and then they will consult with my team to make sure we’re on the same page.”

FASTSIGNS supports franchisees as soon as they sign their franchise agreement. Each franchisee joins a franchisee mentor program and gains personalised operational support; a dedicated business consultant; access to a 24-hour, web-based learning management system as well as training, technical, marketing and human resource tools, among other resources. The company also offers the leading brand name in the sign and graphics industry as well as the latest technology, cost savings through relationships with national vendors and suppliers, comprehensive marketing and visual communications solutions and the benefits that come from networking with FASTSIGNS centres nationwide.

FASTSIGNS will also be encouraging attendees to download the franchise’s new eBook available on Amazon.com. Written by internationally recognised franchise speaker and author Dr. John Hayes, the eBook explores the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity and offers sound insight on what it’s like to operate a business-to-business enterprise, the pros and cons of franchising and questions to ask before investing in a franchise, among other topics of interest to prospective franchise owners.

“As we continue developing our Conversion and Co-Brand franchise programs, the NBM show is the perfect venue for us to seek feedback on our new eBook,” said FASTSIGNS International, Inc. EVP of Franchise Support & Development Mark Jameson, noting that the business-to-business trade show focuses on educating attendees on the latest in sign making, digital printing, apparel decorating, engraving, promotional products and more. “The eBook allows those interested in pursuing franchise ownership or partnering with a franchise to learn about FASTSIGNS and our franchise offerings at their leisure. We are a very open company and want to help prospective franchise owners gain a better understanding of the information they should seek from franchisors as they’re determining which franchise is the best investment.”

The eBook is available on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/FASTSIGNS-BUSINESS-OPPORTUNITY-Franchise-Opportunities-ebook/dp/B0131110O4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439927821&sr=8-1&keywords=fastsigns.

Dr W Edwards Deming is the genius credited with putting Japan back onto the business map after the economic and public relations disaster called the Second World War. He managed to claw back the country’s credibility after its potential customers had nuclear bombed it, twice. Deming did it with a simple mantra. Put quality and service before costs and your customers will be happy. Fail to do so and your business cannot thrive.

Nottingham-based Artsystems is a leading distributor of sign, design and fine art print hardware and consumables. Its business is thriving and so are its resellers. If Deming were to look at the ArtSystems business model he would surely approve; and at its core is one other attribute that is all too often overlooked in the mad scramble to add every bell and whistle a company can provide – simplicity.

ArtSystems follows an evolutionary business model that supports business for its resellers. Marketing manager John Draycott and his colleague Andrew Hand are proud of the distributor’s portfolio and the fact that, although ArtSystems does not sell directly to graphics professionals, it is very hands-on with both pre- and post-purchase support, offering a complete package that simplifies the sales process for its resellers.

“First,” said John, “we sourced a portfolio of high quality products. For example, regarding hardware ArtSystems is the exclusive UK distributor for HP Latex printers. We also deal with Summa, Canon, Colourtrac Stratasys and MakerBot. We support the Onyx RIP and our man Andrew Edwards is one of the UK’s leading experts on how to use it, plus profiling and colour management.

“On the media/consumable side we distribute HP, Canon Xativa, Hahnemuhle, Innova, JM Textiles, 3P Textiles and Verseidag. That means our portfolio covers everything from entry-level to top-of the range products for printing, cutting, scanning and 3D printing through to vinyls and art canvases and everything in between. We are quite selective about our product range. We will only consider goods that fit in with our current portfolio and work in the sign, display and fine art marketplace.

ArtSystems provides effective solutions, the only question being ‘what is it you want to do?’”

Andrew said: “Second, we have put in place comprehensive sales support. For instance we provide the UK warranty and maintenance package for HP Latex, plus training. We have a fully equipped demonstration suite so potential buyers can come along and find out just what any the systems can do for them.

“We also ensure the hardware is installed correctly,” he continued. “We think of it as an all-in-one installation solution which means everything from delivery to positioning is done properly. We will even supply an electrician if the customer needs to upgrade their wiring to meet the hardware’s needs. It takes pressure off the reseller’s shoulders and ensures the end-user gets a fully professional service, but we always ensure it’s our reseller who gets the credit.”

Added value, enhanced rewards

ArtSystems is able to cater for large corporate organisations and one-man bands. Its network of more than 700 resellers is made up of companies large enough to have their own service fleets or individuals who use eBay. All get treated with the same high degree of consideration – including bespoke packaging and bar-coding if required. In the immense warehouse dedicated to consumables the distributor has stationed a specialist labelling printer that churns out metres of stickers adorned with resellers’ logos, bar-codes and other information. When products arrive with the end-user they are marked up in the retailer’s familiar colours

Some resellers don’t have their own logos so ArtSystems will design one for them at no cost. John explained: “Every initiative we put in place that helps our resellers’ make a sale is a positive step for us. By personalising packaging we ensure the end-user is kept aware of who they are dealing with. If someone bought a roll of vinyl from Perfect Colours, say, then that is who sent it and the packaging agrees. It simplifies the sales process, avoids confusion and everybody’s happy.’

Providing business partners with access to ArtSystems’ new Sales and Marketing Portal has proved a huge success. It is a tremendous online facility offering direct, free access to a wealth of marketing tools, e-templates, product information and more from a single easy to navigate location.

By using it resellers gain instant access to a wide range of professional materials they can use to buoy up their marketing activities. Visitors to the Portal can choose from a broad range of product specific marketing materials such as e-shots, catalogues, A4 adverts, postcards and presentations across a wide selection of the distributor’s product portfolio.

This facility will be expanded to include ever better assets as they become available, but even in its current incarnation it offers a comprehensive selection of extremely well-considered marketing tools.

Andrew said: “We think of the support process as creating a cascade of success that benefits everyone in the sales chain. Ultimately we want the end-user sign and display professional to be successful, so we make sure their machine is installed correctly and they know how to use it. That involves application, information and education. An HP Latex printer, for example, can probably do more than the graphics professional needs straightaway, but as they learn what the machine can do they will develop their skill base too and be able to offer their customers an improved service.”

John concluded: “We need to make sure our resellers have everything they need to supply the correct information, and that they can provide their customers with what they need to succeed and grow their businesses. The more the end-user is able grow their business the more consumables they’ll need. The more applications they become involved with the more solutions they might need to consider, and they’ll turn to the people they trust to help find the tools they’ll need to do the job properly. If we make sure our resellers have been given all the tools they need to do that job then they will, in turn, be ordering more product from us. It is a win, win, win scenario, and that has to be the perfect outcome.”

Somewhere, Dr W Edwards Deming is applauding.

[Images show: (top) Artsystems' new marketing portal; (middle) Litre ink cartridges for the HP Latex wide format printer; and (below) Artsystems' dedicated consumables warehouse.]

Agfa Graphics has announced that its showroom in Leeds, UK, has been given a technology upgrade with the latest printing engines and software now available for demonstrations.

The completely refurbished showroom now includes two of the newest Anapurna inkjet printing systems, the Anapurna M2050i and the Anapurna M3200i RTR. The Anapurna M2050i features hybrid flatbed technology for direct-to-substrate printing onto both rigid and flexible media. The Anapurna M3200i is designed for industrial roll-to-roll UV printing up to 3.2 meters in width.

Both systems use the latest Konica Minolta 1024i print heads for stunning print quality and reach maximum speeds of 123 sq/m per hour. The combination of the small droplet size and the wide colour gamut of the Agfa UV inks allow for a thin layer for very low ink consumption. The Anapurna M2050i also comes with white ink, making it the ideal solution for printing onto coloured and transparent substrates.

“The upgrade also includes the addition of our workflow suite of software: Apogee for commercial litho customers and Asanti for the sign & display market. Visitors to our newly-redesigned showroom can also see Storefront, our web-to-print software” said Steve Collins, Inkjet Marketing & Channel Manager, Agfa Graphics UK & Ireland. “Customers can experience a complete demonstration from job creation through to final production on a wide range of substrates and applications, including textile printing, window graphics, backlit displays, novelty items and even a magnetic wall, giving them an overall feel for what is possible with this technology."

The showroom is now available to receive bookings for both commercial litho and sign & display visitors. To arrange a demonstration, visit www.agfagraphics.co.uk or send an email to steve.collins@agfa.com