Monday, 10 Aug 2015 21:22 GMT

Sign Plus

Realistic planning is essential for any sign project. Jo Golding talks to Gordon Miller of Sign Plus about how important communication is and how they ended up on top of an iconic Scottish structure

Always stay one step ahead

Part of being a manager is relating to your team, of which Gordon Miller, managing director of Sign Plus, can do without doubt having started out in the manufacturing process himself. Joining Sign Plus in 1998 when it was just a team of four, Miller has climbed his way up the ladder and the company now consists of 34 members of staff.

“Through opportunity, hard work, determination, and effort I have been lucky enough to progress through the business and have covered all aspects ranging from design, manufacture, and installation initially then progressed into sales, business development, and management,” says Miller discussing his time with the business.


This sign for Ascensos is an example of the external signage Sign Plus can design and install for areas such as shop fronts, office buildings, hospitals, universities, and schools



It is not just the company’s managing director that has progressed leaps and bounds. The Fife-based signage company acquired a screen printing business in 2013 which operates from its own site, resulting in Sign Plus running two industrial units that total 11,000sq f (1,022sq m). Now, Sign Plus’ aim is to cover all bases as Miller adds: “With a stated purpose to manage our customer’s signage requirements, the company designs, manufactures, in-stalls, and maintains signs, sign systems, and associated products.”

Sign Plus works with many customers across Scotland including universities, colleges, sports stadiums, government, and major plcs. “One very important market that the company serves is in the defence sector for the supply of manufactured products direct to the Ministry of Defence under long-term contracts and via companies such as BAE Systems and Babcock International. Indeed the company has been successful in winning significant signage business for the QE Class Carriers currently under construction.”

Anything worth doing...

One project that stands out to Miller was the manufacturing and installation of signage for Celtic Football Club’s family stand. This included internal, external, and wayfinding signage, floor graphics, menus, ceiling art, shaped free standing signage, stage back drops, as well as health and safety signage.

Though, as many sign companies will know, every project has its difficulties. Miller says: “On acceptance of the order from Celtic Football Club, Sign Plus were faced with several challenges in terms of access, materials, coordinating with other subcontractors, and scheduling.”


Sign Plus produced more than 40 different types of signs and displays for Celtic Football Club’s family stand



However, planning time out well was the best solution. Miller continues: “A working plan was initiated that highlighted milestones for each stage. Goals were set and areas of the stadium were prioritised for design and production. Detailed plans were agreed with the customer, design team, and project managers for each stage.”

An existing customer of the company were the ones to ask Sign Plus to revamp the football club within eight weeks, creating an environment suitable for families where ‘the football match was more than just a game of football but indeed an unforgettable experience’, according to Miller.

The team of four, including two internal and two external workers, worked closely with the project manager to produce more than 40 different types of signs and displays. The signage was completed with finishes such as matt, gloss, black board, and anti-graffiti laminate to ensure its durability.


Working with Edinburgh Napier University on a sign to celebrate their 50th anniversary, Sign Plus produced a piece of postmodern sculpture
 


Summarising the project, Miller comments: “The success of the project was reflected with the positive customer response, additional work, and recommendation to others within the organisation, as well as meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations.

Looking back at the project it highlights the importance of realistic planning with clear communication and objectives with all involved”


“All was completed within budget and ahead of the required deadline. Looking back at the project it highlights the importance of realistic planning with clear communication and objectives with all involved.”

And the award goes to

For companies providing a service, getting positive feedback makes all the hard work worthwhile. For Sign Plus, winning the Best Performing Business award at the Fife Business Awards 2015 shows people how much it has achieved.

Miller explains: “To win the best performing business award for under 50 employees was a fantastic accolade. This was acknowledgement of what the company is about and highlighted successful businesses throughout Fife. Sign Plus was able to demonstrate a clearly defined strategy for developing and growing the business in terms of turnover, employment, innovative marketing, and communications. We also demonstrated a strong sales focus.”


Within its 1,022sq m, Sign Plus creates a range of products and works on projects from vehicle livery to window graphics



The company was also praised for its staff personal development and involvement of the team in the growth of the business. Since the award, it has achieved further awards and secured new and exciting contracts.

Being acknowledged in the industry has also helped Sign Plus help other businesses, and it recently hosted its own seminar showcasing the latest developments and new products in the industry. The event saw presentations on vehicle wrapping, LED lighting, and vinyl’s produced by 3M.

Feedback from the event showed that sign companies benefitted greatly from the advice, and helped them further boost their own businesses.

A long way down

As a company, Miller explains, Sign Plus is always looking to improve. He says: “We are always looking at how we can work smarter in a light, enjoyable atmosphere where our people really do make a difference.

“We also believe if we are doing well, we should be doing good. This year we have chosen CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) as a charity to help raise donations for, currently we are up to £3,842. One of the fundraising events involved a team of eight abseiling from the Forth rail bridge.”

When they are not climbing down bridges, they are looking forward to the future. Miller says: “We are excited for what the future has in store for Sign Plus; many developments are on-going at the moment which should come to the forefront over the next few months. Watch this space!”

We are excited for what the future has in store for Sign Plus; many developments are on-going at the moment which should come to the forefront over the next few months”


With Miller revealing the company is busy across all fronts of the business—from vehicle livery, window graphics, and banners, to labels, engraving, and external signage—it is clear that demand for the company’s services are at an all-time high with no sign of slowing down. What is more important to draw from this fact is that the sign industry itself is in good health after a recession that saw hundreds of Miller’s peers in the industry fold. Importantly, those such as Sign Plus that saw it as an opportunity to concentrate on business efficiency and diversification are now reaping the reward.

Your text here...