Signs Express

Signs Express

£15,396 grant from Small Grant Scheme for new machinery and new employee.

About Signs Express

Investment in new machinery has led the Norwich branch of Signs Express to significantly reduce outsourcing costs, employ an operator and provide an even better service for customers.

When business owner Ken Venables realised that his supplier costs for specially cut or folded signage amounted to £30,000 each year; he saw the writing on the wall.

Signs Express, which has more than 60 franchises in the UK and Ireland, designs and manufactures signage and products ranging from stickers, to vehicle graphics. To offer his customers a more cost-effective and speedier service, he needed to invest £80,000 in a new cutting equipment – a 4m x 2m flatbed CNC Router, designed for hard materials including wood, steel and plastics.

Perfect Solution

New Anglia Growth Hub’s Business Advisor, Dean Pierpoint, came up with the perfect solution. He suggested Ken applied for a grant to help fund the new equipment as well as a new employee.

“Speaking to Dean highlighted the possibility that I might actually need someone to operate the new machinery,” explained Ken, “So, we were able to apply for a grant for both a contribution towards the new equipment and funding a new role in the business – a real win:win situation.”

Dean helped steer Ken through the application process which delivered a grant of more than £15,000, for the equipment and funding a new employee, cutting the outsourcing costs, now and for the future.

Get in touch to find out how the New Anglia Growth Hub could help you. Call 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk