-
WmSmith, The UK’s longest established sign manufacturer
Loyal to the trade and discretion assured
With its familiar epithet ‘the sign maker’s sign maker’, William Smith is recognised throughout the sign and graphics industry as the quintessential trade supplier. As the UK’s longest established sign manufacturer, with a pedigree dating back to 1832, the company has been responsible for a number of important developments that have helped shaped the industry and contributed to its sustained prosperity and future growth prospects. It has also acted in a sub-contractual capacity as a major supplier to other sign manufacturers engaged in high-profile sign and graphics projects where discretion and confidentiality are of paramount importance.
Significantly, William Smith introduced the first pre-spaced lettering and logos system to the UK in 1983 under its EUROTEXT brand. It was also the first European company to produce large-format digitally printed graphics using the 3M Scotchprint Graphics Printing System. As part of its long-standing association with 3M, William Smith was also the first manufacturer of road signs that used a revolutionary new vinyl material developed by that company. The company is now particularly active in supporting UK sign manufacturers by helping customers meet the new EU legislation on commercial vehicle safety markings that is expected to become effective by July 2011. Furthermore, the company was one of the first to be authorised by the former ICI Acrylics to use the patented PRISMEX edge-lighting technology for its edge-illuminated sign solutions.
In 2003, William Smith segmented its core activities into three dedicated divisions (Material Distribution, Sign Solutions and Graphic Solutions). The Material Distribution, in particular, has seen spectacular year-on-year growth, attributable to the company’s status as the largest stockist of 3M sign and graphics materials and now supplemented in order to meet niche market requirements by additional media solutions from companies like RITRAMA, ARLON and R-TAPE.
Both the Sign Solutions and Graphic Solutions divisions have enabled further benefits to the trade as a result of substantial investment in new hardware. This has included the purchase of new state-of-the-art digital printing solutions from, among others, VUTEk, Durst, Mutoh and Océ. Following the huge success experienced as the exclusive UK distributor of the RollsRoller Flatbed Applicator to the sign and graphics and digital printing industries, William Smith has more recently added printers from HP (including the latest to utilise more environmentally-friendly Latex ink technology), cutting/plotters from Summa and Graphtec and laminators from Seal and XATIVA.
Further boosting support for the trade, William Smith has expanded the size of its warehouse and stockholding facilities and installed a fully automated stockholding system to enhance material availability and next-day delivery. The company has also been one of the first to implement a definitive environmental policy. This complies fully with the requirements of the UK Government’s Environment Agency Approved Guidelines and is constantly monitored and upgraded to ensure that it addresses all future health and safety and environmental issues.
William Smith
Grove Works
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8JG.
-
7 Replies
-
I’ve been over there last month on 3M IJ380 induction and I tell you what EVERYONE should go there to see how sign making company should works.
It’s unbelievable, really impressive.By the way: Merry Christmas to all William Smith staff.
Mike -
I agree it is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen.
-
I only met their staff when I was over there in April, and I was immensely impressed with their professionalism. Reading this has just reinforced that view.
Clearly this company is first class.
On my next trip back, I’d love to call in and have a look for myself.
Well done on the article too.
-
Thank you for your kind words…..
Shane it will be a pleasure to show you around the old place the next time your over in England :lol1: :lol1:
Mike I’m glad you enjoyed your visit, your a cracking fitter and I hope you do well, thanks for your best wishes and I hope everyone has a great Christmas. :lol1:
Gill x
-
looks a bit like my workshop 😀
-
Dunno why UKSB is promoting these small fry! 😀
-
quote George Elsmore:
looks a bit like my workshop 😀
only smaller than yours eh George? lol.
I must get in touch with WS now i think about it! one more thing to add to the ever increasing list!
Log in to reply.
