News
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Signs Now is delighted to announce that we have just won our largest ever tender - a 4 year contract to supply the whole of Cornwall Council with signs. It is estimated to be worth over £1 million.
Competition for the tender was fierce but Signs Now produced the most competitive prices for the tender.
The contract will be managed by the Signs Now Bristol branch but there is a plan to open up a new Sign Now branch in Cornwall once the contract takes off.
Signs Now has become the leading sign maker in the South West of England and will use this contract as a platform to become Cornwall's largest sign maker.
In these straitened times every council across the UK is having to look closely at their finances and services to see where cuts can be made.
Signs Now and its marketing agency, Design BP, have formed an alliance - a new company called Sign Sponsors UK.
Councils have a lot of property assets under their control - parks, libraries, car parks, traffic islands, recycling centres, leisure centres, swimming pools, museums, galleries, etc.
By allowing private companies to advertise on signs at these locations the council can generate sponsorship income for each year that the sign is sponsored. Sign Sponsors UK offer a full service including finding sponsors, selling the advertising space, making and installing the signs and full administration and management reporting.
The council can generate much needed income, work with the sponsor to communicate positive relevant messages and show its ratepayers that every penny counts!
The idea was launched through a mailshot in May this year and the response has been very encouraging.
For a brochure about the scheme please call 0845 270 4950 or email us at revenue@sponsorasign.co.uk
Signs Now UK is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record. We have recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.
Our application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.
As Jerry Seal says "We are constantly striving to improve our business and the services we offer our customers. By attaining the SAFE Contractor accreditation it demonstrates our commitment to them and to the professionalism of our business".
We hope that gaining the SAFEcontractor accreditation will enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and our commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.
Darran Hughes; Operations Director of SAFEcontractor said, "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies. More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Signs Now has done. The firms’ high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector".
Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com.
Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.
In the summer of 2009 we were invited to The Ridings High School in North Bristol to discuss their signage requirements. Along with a partner school they were due to change their status to that of an Academy which would commence from September 2009.
They had used a local design company to produce new branding for this so we had to see how we would incorporate this making sure we adhered to the guidelines set.
The new academy required main freestanding signs on all entrances as well as general directional and building signs both inside and out.
After discussing options and viewing samples and our portfolio we were able to agree on the ways forward. Our proposal consisted of 7 individual curved faced tall monolith signs with a mixture of wall mounted aluminium signs outside and acrylic signs inside. We presented proof drawings with most superimposed onto photos along with a clear quote. This enabled the academy to see exactly what was being proposed and make their decision making process easier.
All signs were fabricated and installed by in-house fitters.
The academy has been very impressed by our service from initial visit through to final installation and as Janet Baird who is the Director of Operations commented "As part of the process of becoming Academies, we needed new signage for both our sites. We wanted signs that were clean and modern looking but which also reflected our new branding.Jerry and Signs Now did an excellent job in translating our art work into proofs and advising us on our options. They were very accommodating and were able to accept last minute changes to designs and requests for additional signs. The team was clear about delivery and were able to supply and fit to our very tight deadlines. "
Overall I was very impressed with the quality and cost effectiveness of the service I received and I have had lots of positive feedback on the new signage. In particular the monoliths added to the "wow" factor of our re-branding as The Ridings’’ Federation of Academies."
When Bob Forsyth and I started this business in 1997, we had the dream of creating the most professional sign company in the UK.
As a valued customer of Signs Now I am delighted to inform you that we have received the ultimate accolade from our industry. We have just been awarded
SIGN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
There are an estimated 10,000 sign makers in the UK. We received the award in front of an audience of over 500 people from the former BBC correspondent, John Sergeant. I attach a photo of our moment of glory.
The judges gave three reasons for the award
- The passion of the owners to deliver the highest standard of customer service
- The enthusiasm and the dedication of the staff to do what we say we do
- The evident success of the business as shown by consistent sales and profits growth
We would take this opportunity to thank you for your support. Please keep us on our toes – if you see our standards dropping please let me know.
In 2008 Signs Now were asked by a large construction firm, Danaher and Walsh, to tender for signage work for Birmingham Airport as part of a substantial enhancement of the safety and security of the main terminals. This work had to be done by Christmas in time for the seasonal holiday rush.
Working on the site of an airport requires very high standards of workmanship, safety and security. Signs Now had to satisfy very strict criteria to qualify to do this work.
The work involved a number of road – all of them manufactured to a very high (British Standard) specification.
Roundabout signs were installed so that visitors to the airport are properly and clearly directed and various parking signs were installed about the site.
A particular challenge was the installation of a number of gantry signs above the roads into the airport – including digital signs to communicate messages to road users.
This was not our first job at Birmingham Airport. We have previously installed a very large sign for Gateway, some post and panel signs, and some banners.
Signs Now has also carried out work for Manchester Airport.
Signs Now is proud to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award from West Midlands Police.
Manager of Signs Now Birmingham, Carlo Matarazzo, is pictured receiving the award from Jackie Harrison, Head of PR.
West Midland Police wanted to promote a new image for each of their police stations across the region. The idea was to replace signage at the front of many stations and to install acrylic signs inside the stations showing police work in the local community.
The project was put up for tender and Signs Now landed the job with the most competitive bid. Signs Now was scrutinised by the procurement people at West Midland Police to ensure that the company had the policies, health and safety system, and financial stability to meet the very high standards required.
The deadline to complete all works - many hundreds of signs to be designed, made and fitted for 48 stations - had to be completed by 31st March.
Signs Now delivered on time and on budget.
In the process Signs Now worked very closely with the appointed police designer, Robert Langston (also pictured). Signs Now has a close partnership with a number of design agencies.
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