CS-Promotions, a leading sign maker based in South Wales, has revolutionised its operations with the installation of a new JWEI JCUT-2131 digital cutting system from CMYUK.
The investment has enabled the South Wales-based family-owned business to bring its digital cutting capabilities in-house, driving significant time and cost savings while opening up new revenue streams.
From small beginnings
Founded in 1998, CS-Promotions has grown to become a respected name in the regional sign making industry, providing a comprehensive range of services including design, printing, manufacturing and installation. The company’s origins trace back to its humble beginnings, when it operated out of a small workshop. Over the past two decades, it has expanded steadily, now employing a team of six.
“We’ve been looking to invest in a digital cutting solution for a while, as we were outsourcing a lot of our finishing work,” explains Paul Carey, founder. “When we visited the CMYUK showroom in Shrewsbury, we were immediately impressed by the cutting table’s capabilities and knew it was the right fit for our business.”
The JWEI effect
The decision to purchase the JWEI was driven by the need to streamline the company’s operations and reduce its reliance on external suppliers. Prior to the investment, CS-Productions had been outsourcing its cutting work to a company in Bristol, which required frequent trips back and forth.
“The speed and efficiency of the JWEI is incredible, allowing us to cut materials at a rate of around a metre per second. This has translated to a 60-70% reduction in our turnaround times, enabling us to take on more work and provide an even better service to our clients,” says Paul.
The time savings achieved through the JWEI have resulted in a significant impact on the business, both in terms of productivity and staff well-being. “Before investing in the JWEI, we struggled to manage our workload on certain projects, often feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the business. However, since investing in the JWEI, we can now complete tasks more efficiently, significantly reducing stress levels within the team while also boosting productivity. This has not only enabled us to focus on delivering high-quality results more effectively, but has also reduced our transportation needs, leading to a decrease in fuel consumption and carbon emissions,” says Paul.
Additional revenue streams
In addition to the time savings, the JWEI has also opened up new revenue streams for the business due to the range and versatility of tools that come as standard. CS-Promotions is now exploring the bespoke packaging market, leveraging the machine’s versatility to create unique packaging solutions for its clients. Furthermore, the business is expanding into the production of LED and neon signage, an area that again, was previously outsourced.
“The JWEI has truly transformed our business. We’re now able to handle a wider range of projects in-house, from composite panels to hoarding boards, and the quality of our work has only improved. The machine’s advanced features, such as the routing capabilities and polishing tools, have allowed us to take on more complex, higher value jobs and deliver exceptional results,” Paul notes.
The company’s investment in the JWEI has also had a positive impact on its brand perception. “When clients come through the door and see the machine, they’re immediately impressed by its size and capabilities,” Paul explains. “It’s a real ‘wow’ factor that helps showcase our commitment to innovation and our ability to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge solutions.”
CMYUK relationship & future vision
Paul was invited to visit CMYUK’s demonstration and training facility by CMYUK’s sales manager, Chris Martin, and says he was “blown away” by the range of printing and production equipment on display.
He was particularly impressed by the advanced features and tools offered by the JWEI, which he felt far outweighed those of other digital cutting equipment he had considered. Overall, the CMYUK showroom experience played a crucial role in CS-Promotions’ purchase decision. The opportunity to see the JWEI equipment first-hand, coupled with the knowledgeable guidance provided by the CMYUK team, gave Paul the confidence to move forward with the investment, which has since made a huge impact on his business.
The support from CMYUK has continued even after the installation. “The backup has been really good, it just highlights even further, the value of having a trusted partner like CMYUK during the pre-and post-sales processes,” says Paul.
Looking to the future, Paul is excited about the possibilities that the JWEI has unlocked. The company is exploring further expansion, with plans to potentially add another JWEI to its arsenal. “We should have done this sooner,” Paul admits. “The technology has come a long way, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this revolution in our industry.”
