Staffordshire-based professional and digital signage company Hardy Signs has opened up about the impact of its new Bubble Free Pro flatbed applicator from Soyang Hardware, saying an improvement in overall efficiency is allowing the company to take on new work and projects.
Founded in 1993, Hardy Signs offers a range of signage and related services to the market including external and internal signage, illuminated signs, digital signage and large-format print. Working with both local and national customers, the company delivers end-to-end signage packages to support clients throughout the entire process.
This approach means Hardy Signs is committed to constantly improving all areas of production, as well as bringing in new staff to support its ongoing growth strategy. This included the addition of new General Manager Brian Cook, who joined the business in June last year.
One of Brian’s first tasks was to improve efficiency and develop the process of manufacturing signs. In a previous role at another company, Brian had purchased two machines, so soon identified the need to bring in an additional device at Hardy Signs to expand its capabilities.
Internal discussions led Brian to meet with the team at Soyang Hardware, from which the company had purchased several other machines and the sister company of Soyang Europe. From here, it was soon decided that Hardy Signs would take on a brand-new Bubble Free Pro flatbed applicator, taking delivery of the machine in November 2024.
Capable of mounting and laminating a wide range of materials up to 60mm thick, the Bubble Free Pro can be supplied in three sizes, offering maximum working widths of 1,450mm, 1,640mm and 2,140mm. Offered with a five-year on-site warranty, the machine can be operated by one member of staff from either side, offering excellent flexibility to the user.
“The new machine enables us to laminate various materials; we’re able to application (app) tape products more easily and it has reduced the bottle neck on the existing roller laminator,” Brian said. “On top of this is the quality of work we can now produce, as well as reduced contamination and the ability to weed out items more effectively.
“The install team was very efficient in getting the machine into our vinyl room. The trainer was able to demonstrate the machine to eight of our team, who soon picked up the basic principles.”
Having been up and running for several months now, the team at Hardy Signs has used the machine across a range of work including to laminate UV printed ACM panels and vinyl prints, as well as to apply tape to Foamex panels and to weed out excess vinyl and application tape from pieces.
“The new machine has improved efficiency, giving us an opportunity to take on more work with the existing team,” Brian said. “We are now able to look at larger projects with reduced lead times to meet our clients’ requests.
“It is true to say that when you get one of these machines you don’t know how you coped without it. It enables us to process both small and large batches through the works with improved efficiencies and reduces bottlenecks in the process.”
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