Opening a London office, a 50% turnover jump since a management buyout three years ago and crucial headway into niche markets are all part of developments for the company that established its roots in Abbotsley, Cambridgeshire, 23 years ago.
James Jennings, Michael Green and Matthew Guise are the partners backed by investors just starting their third year at the helm of Macro Art, which specialises in larger projects and dye sublimated textiles. Museum, events and exhibition work – together with retail and automotive opportunities – form the cornerstone of Macro Art’s continuing successes being built around two Durst machines.
The first is the Durst Rho 512R, which can produce anything from large volume PVC banners, high-end backlit textiles through to block-out fabric for specialist exhibition structures. This summer Macro Art invested in a Durst Rhotex 322, which is the manufacturer’s first eight-colour machine delivered into the UK.
Michael Green, Macro Art’s Commercial Director, said: “Since taking over we have grown turnover from £6.5m to almost £9m, and this year we will go through the £10m mark. There is no way that we could get there without the 5-metre wide Durst. The machine is super reliable, produces very good quality and is exceptionally quick.
“These attributes, including the versatility, has enabled us to deal extremely quickly with the demands from customers in what is a very reactive industry.”
Macro Art, which employs 92 people, opened its London office at the Metal Box Factory, near Waterloo, in September. Its high profile projects cover work for Farnborough and Paris air shows, as well as producing flooring for the main arena in a £140,000 contract for the Paralympics at London 2012.
“The eight colour option gives us a much wider colour gamut, particularly for reds and oranges,” said Michael Green. “Clients in the automotive industry have commented to us that there is nothing comparable to the quality from the Dursts. Both machines enable us to grow our business.”
Peter Bray, Durst UK Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to hear that the outstanding success of our first system was a crucial springboard for Macro Art’s sudden growth spurt. This has culminated in them investing in a second Durst system, which we are sure will also continue to help them further to diversify and expand into new markets.”
He added: “Increasing numbers of companies such as Macro Art rely on Durst systems in marketplaces where their own customers demand exceptional speed, quality, versatility and reliability.”
