Leading Edge Signage chases growth with Agfa investment

Andrew Gallagher (left) with Paul Fitch, Agfa's head of inkjet
Andrew Gallagher (left) with Paul Fitch, Agfa's head of inkjet

Leading Edge has installed an Agfa Tauro S 3.2m wide-format inkjet printer to significantly boost its capacity.

The Liversedge, West Yorkshire-based signage and graphics company has invested in the Tauro S as part of an ambitious growth plan backed by more than £1m of investment in the past year.

The new machine was installed in early March, and has already helped the company to increase its output while saving energy.

Andrew Gallagher, graphics production manager at Leading Edge, said: “It gives us better print quality at a much higher speed and we are now planning to run the engine 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“All the print we used to place on two printers can now be done on the new Tauro and that will increase with the introduction of a night shift.”

Leading Edge specialises in offering a total signage and graphics package to clients, which include large high street retailers and construction companies.

By offering a diverse array of services, the company managed to maintain its growth over the pandemic by switching quickly to sneeze screens and Covid POS products.

The company has forecasted £5m in turnover this year, a growth of £2m in the past year alone.

Matthew Evans, founder and managing director, said the company’s ability to be a one-stop-shop for clients had really helped business.

He said: “They prefer a total solution and that’s what we are geared up to offer. 

“So whether we are sending our installation team to up-spec light boxes with LED technology across the UK or sending out service vinyls to individual branches to full external signage and internal POS solutions for a new shop, we can handle it.”

Leading Edge employs 12 fitting teams from its 42 staff, who travel across the UK. The company’s in-house design studio, laser cutting, powder coating and wet spraying facilities all help to support its flexible approach.

Gallagher added: “Our plan for the future is all about growth and diversity of product and service offering, and ideally we’d like that to be aided by a second Tauro print engine at some stage.”