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A peek behind the scenes at Grafityp UK Ltd
Grafityp UK Ltd, based in Tamworth, Staffordshire is a subsidiary of Grafityp Self-adhesive Products (Belgium) which began life way back in 1945 in Amsterdam and went by the name of Stanserij Holland. Grafityp manufacture and distribute quality self-adhesive signmaking films, digital print media and laminates worldwide and can now boast over 50 years of service in this field.
At Grafityp UK the product range isn’t limited to signmaking films, the product portfolio is vast and includes cutting plotters, digital printers, laser engravers, laminating machinery, textile products and much more besides. The complete stock range can be seen in Express Sign Products, a catalogue/price list/ magazine produced by their own staff. Express Sign Products has been produced, in house, for the last six years and has proven an invaluable sales tool.
Grafityp Belgium is still a family run business today. Grafityp UK could be considered to have its own family in a way, with a great team of staff who work well together as well as socialise well together.
Below is a little information on who’s who and what they do.
Les Gilbert – Managing Director
Les Gilbert took on the role of Managing Director shortly after the company moved to new premises in Lichfield. Les resumed his association with Grafityp in 1991 completing a full cycle from a previous business relationship when he was a director for the Birmingham based Graphic & Display Products, it was during that period when Les discovered & brought the first Computerised Sign Making system (CSR) in to the UK which was launched at the Café Royal in London in 1984.
Joe Bartnicki – Technical Director
Joined Grafityp in 1986 as sales technician overlooking customer service and software support. Since the emergence of solvent ink jet printers on the market Joe has turned his attention to print media sales, support and creating a colour profiling service (GCMS), Joe also developed GrafiWrap™ the market leading vehicle wrapping film along with the setting up of a training school for those who wish to further their skills in the art of vehicle wrapping to a high quality and professional standard
Neil Stevenson – Sales Director
Neil joined Grafityp in January 1991 as a sales engineer and was responsible for the sale and installation of Grafityps range of equipment. Promoted to Sales Manager in 1997 for the machinery division and then for the whole company product range in 1998, Neil has now joined the UK board as Sales Director.
Nigel Pugh – Customer Services Manager
Nigel joined Grafityp in 1994 and was initially employed as Warehouse manager, but his product knowledge developed quickly and he was soon promoted to the senior role of Customer Service Manager. Now more involved with Sales, Nigel is still a driving force in the day-to-day running of the company.
Debbie Astle – Marketing Manager
After many years in Sales and Marketing for the paper trade, Debbie joined Grafityp in 1999 to head up the newly formed marketing department, heavily involved with all aspects of Grafityps sales and marketing strategy, Debbie helped introduce many new and exciting ideas to the company and is now an integral member of the senior management team.
Graham Jones – Design/Marketing
Graham is a recent acquisition to the Grafityp marketing team, and since joining from a large national company, has helped to introduce new and exciting ideas for the future development of the company. His knowledge of marketing has proved to be a welcome asset for this pro-active and innovative department.
Alison Pyburn – Accounts Manager
Alison joined Grafityp in 1990 and now heads up Accounts and also doubles as office manager. Her expertise in her role has been a huge asset in a busy and demanding department of the company. As a senior manager her in -depth knowledge is an invaluable asset.
Kate Griffiths – Senior Buyer
Kate joined Grafityp in 1999 as an area manager for one of the material sales areas where she excelled and successfully developed the area. However during the last year Kate has adapted her excellent communication skills to develop her new role as senior buyer, and as such has proved again to be extremely successful in her new and demanding senior role.
Dave Bragg – IT Manager
Dave Bragg has looked after Grafityp UK’s IT solutions since 1991 on a consultancy basis, with the steady growth and expansion of Grafityp business the requirement for Mr Bragg’s services became a fulltime requirement in July 2004.
Leigh Griffiths – Senior Print Specialist
Leigh joined Grafityp just over a year ago from a design department of a large multi national. His knowledge of print and design has proved a tremendous asset to our printer sales and installation division, and his ability to make the difficult seem easy have quickly made him an important and admired member of staff.
The Technical Team
Grafityps technical team are headed up by service manager Steve Marven who has been with the company for over 10 years, he is supported by Adam Webb and Dan Carnevale who have been with the company for around 3 years, and then there are the two newest members of the team, Greg Bishop and Mark Bradbury who have both joined the company in the last 12 months, and have quickly established themselves as valuable members of the department.
The day to day running of the service and installation department is handled by Paul Shrives who is the service administrator.
The Sales Team
Grafityps sales team is without doubt one of the best in the industry, and have helped carry the company to greater and greater success.The four main people in this department are Annie Boulstridge who joined us in 2000, Emma Merryweather 2003, Sue Kirkwood 1994 and Louise Gladwin 2001. All the people in this department are excellent communicators which is of the utmost importance when working on the front line for the company. Each member has there own unique attributes and qualities that help complement this department, their commitment and enthusiasm are a huge asset for the company and more importantly Grafityp customers. The sales team is supported by Lindsey Hassall who joined the company this year as receptionist.
The Warehouse Staff
The engine room of Grafityp is looked after by Liam Stanley, John Milton, Chris Wood and Jonathan Flynn, these dedicated guys are responsible for order picking, converting and packing from over a million pounds worth of held stock. Utilising the latest technology in re-reeling, slitting and sprocketing machinery these guys can work as late as 8.30 PM to ensure our customers receive their orders on a next day delivery basis, a service our company prides itself upon.
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14 Replies
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nice sneeky peek guys 😀
i like seeing behind the scenes of supplying companys, keep up the good work 😉
nik
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Nice to know who is who and what is what. 😀 Its great for all us nosey peeps eh Nik … 😉 :lol1:
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I was just about to phone them when I seen this post :lol1: spooky
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now i wonder “who you will ask for” now you have had a peek? 😉 :lol1:
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quote Robert Lambie:now i wonder “who you will ask for” now you have had a peek? 😉 :lol1:
Damm just off the phone and I didn’t even think about that lol
Always next time :lol1:
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I notice though theres no lads on the sales team … for us lovely ladies to speak to when we call???? :lol1:
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Carrie, we lads here do the machinery & software sales, so you can talk to us when your in the market for new kit 😉
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Nigel, thats good to know then 😉 :lol1:
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Who would deal with ordering and advice on Flex and Flock?
I ordered a sample on monday but nothing has come yet and I’ll be needing to order stock very very soon 🙄
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Nice to know I can put a ‘job’ to Debbie and Nigel now. 🙄
Graphityp had a promotional evening here a few years ago which I went to rather begrudgingly (it was in the city – 50 minutes by bus 🙁 ) but came away with a desire to get involved in the digital print media. Bought a Roland 540 6 months later, but never finished up buying any graphityp. I feel a bit bad now 😳
The guy that came out from belgium was rather good natured too. hard to understand mind you, but liked a joke none-the-less.
Enjoyed the article very much, well done
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Hi John,
Sorry you don’t seem to have received your sample, but if you call and speak to Annie in sales she will give you any advice regarding the textile materials.
Shane
Glad you enjoyed the article.
My guess is the guy you met from Belgium was probably Rene Coolen, he is nice.Debbie
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I receive Grafityp mags from time to time
I think its great when they personalise their literature with who’s who
Most of the faces here I recognise and of course the members here too -
quote Debbie Astle:Shane
Glad you enjoyed the article.
My guess is the guy you met from Belgium was probably Rene Coolen, he is nice.Debbie
Yes Debbie, it was Rene, he had almost lost his voice at the time, that combined with his accent made sure you had to pay attention when he spoke so you could understand him :lol1:
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just been on their vehicle wrapping course with "adwraps" good people to work with. Have known, dealt with & met a few times with "Joe" & since meeting Nigel last year at sign UK have dealt through by phone & email. All good people to work with for advice & support.
Have been using "Graphiwrap" for 2 / 3 years now, brilliant material & will continue using Graphityp for the foreseeable future.Only complaint if you can call it that is i think they need more sales people manning the switchboard…….always seems a long time on hold till someone free to answer you on the phone.
L J
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