Tuesday, 09 Aug 2016 15:49 GMT

Chris Economides

Jo Golding talks to Radecal Machine Sales’ Chris Economides about his ambitions for the firm

Exceeding growth expectations

Can you tell me about your background in the industry and your current role with Radecal Machine Sales?

I had always loved design and technology from a young age and had even started a print business in secondary school creating and printing business cards for local taxi companies. So after realising I wanted to run my own business after a few years in retail management, a move into a design related field was an obvious one for me. Radecal Signs was formed with my brother Greg in December 2002.

Shortly after starting the sign business, we realised there was a gap in the market for competitively priced related equipment. After various overseas trips and a re-mortgage later, the machinery side of the business started.

My current role as managing director is the general steering of the ship, trying to look at the big picture, the progression plans, the finance side of the business, as well as daily meetings with our various departments.

Radecal exhibited at Sign and Digital UK 2016. What was your key technology on display?

Our key areas on display were CNC and laser. We exhibited three different routers from our most popular Piranha Single Head, to our Auto Tool Changing Piranha, and one of our newer additions—the Hanter Auto Tool Change with Camera system. We also exhibited 3D printers, as we feel this will play a significant role in sign-making of the future.


Economides thinks 3D will play a “significant role” in future sign-making—the company brought the MakerBot Replicator desktop 3D printer to Sign and Digital UK



Sign UK is always a great way to catch up with existing customers and interact with potential new ones, we do love the face-to-face side of it. We always receive good feedback and great leads from the show.

How is Radecal expanding and growing in line with demand?

We have recently taken on another full time engineer to help us cope with the demand for machine installs and maintenance. We are always looking for creative, bright, and enthusiastic people to join our team. We are also in the process of looking for a larger building, as our 3 x 6000sq ft units are proving a bit cramped these days.

Demand is very high at the moment for our equipment. We have seen a strong steady growth over the last few years in our sales, but over the last two years especially we seem to have exceeded our own expectations in growth.

What does Radecal do to cope with intense competition in the industry and stand out above the rest?

Here at Radecal we have always tried to do things a little bit differently, we have a great marketing department, which is constantly trying to use our demo equipment to showcase different ways companies can increase revenue. You will see more of this from us in the future as we launch our new website.

What can we expect from Radecal in the future in terms of technology?

We have already installed a 1.5 x 3m fibre cutting laser at our facility, which we are currently testing. We feel the fibre cutting will be a big part of future cutting solutions for manufacturing. In terms of other equipment, watch this space; we are always striving to bring new technology to the market.

In terms of other equipment, watch this space; we are always striving to bring new technology to the market”




Key stats

  • Radecal Signs was formed in 2002
  • 3 x 6000sq ft units currently
  • 1.5 x 3m fibre cutting laser newly installed
  • 2016 SDUK saw Radecal exhibit


Your text here...