Edinburgh-based sign-making and wrapping business Specialized Signs & Wraps has revealed its investment in an HP Latex R1000 and an HP Latex 800 has helped the company to double its turnover in the space of just two years.
A hugely diversified print service provider that began life in 2009, Specialized Signs & Wraps offers everything from external and internal signs and window graphics to vehicle wrapping and digitally printed wallpaper. This varied offering has seen the company establish an impressive customer base including leading brands such as Rolls Royce, Network Rail, Schuh, Jewson and Radisson.
This year has seen the company reach a milestone moment having moved into a new, purpose-built facility just a few months ago. Located next to Edinburgh Airport, the 15,000sq ft headquarters has given Specialized Signs & Wraps not only more space to work with but also additional space to expand.
“We realised during the pandemic that the next step for us was a new premises as we already had a great line-up of kit, so we decided to move forward with a custom-built unit,” said Specialized Signs & Wraps Managing Director Graham Sim.
“Building from scratch has meant we have got the layout spot on so that everything is streamlined and as efficient as possible. It also means our team has a beautiful place to work, including a common area with a large kitchen, a lunch area, a pool table, a TV area, a quiet room and a fully kitted gym.”
Graham said HP Latex printing technology has played a major part in helping Specialized Signs & Wraps reach this position and allowing it the opportunity to establish such an impressive facility. The company installed its HP Latex R1000 in 2019 and added an HP Latex 800 last year to further strengthen its production setup.
“These machines have allowed the company to double its turnover over the last two years, and we still have a fair bit of capacity left on them,” Graham said. “The R1000 was a game changer when we installed it as it was our first flatbed printer. This made it much faster and cheaper to produce rigid panel work.”
Sustainable edge over the competition
Business expansion is only part of Specialized Signs & Wraps’ focus, with the company committed to growth in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner. This can be seen with its new facility, which was built in line with this approach to ensure energy efficient operations.
“We have solar roof panels, an air source heating pump (ASHP) system, LED lighting throughout, under slab insulation as well as high-performance wall and roof insulation, rainwater harvesting and water attenuation systems,” Graham said. “All this helps lower our carbon footprint and reduce heating costs significantly.”
The decision to invest in HP Latex technology also ties in with this wider approach to operations. All HP Latex printers run water-based inks, which have significantly less impact on the environment than other ink types. On top of this, the inks are supplied in cardboard boxes, which can be recycled after use.
Additionally, HP’s Planet Partners programme allows businesses – such as Specialized Signs & Wraps – to return and recycle empty original HP print cartridges and printheads. The programme focuses on waste reduction and refurbishment of hardware to extend product life cycles.
“The HP machines are not only very user-friendly and produce great quality work, but as the inks are water-based, this allows us to deliver planet friendly printing, which is paramount to our business ethos,” Graham said.
“HP Latex really helps tick all the boxes with sustainability. Coupled with our new HQ, we must have one of the lowest carbon footprints within the signage and wrapping industry in Scotland, which is something we are very proud of and continue to push further.”
On this note, Specialized Signs & Wraps could soon be in the market for another printer to support its ongoing expansion strategy. Graham said the company is considering options for a new 3.2m-wide machine and, given the success of working with HP Latex in the past, the business could again turn to this technology to further bolster its production offering.