Compass targets growth in sign and display arm

Commercial printer Compass is targeting continued growth in its sign and display division after completing a £100,000 investment in a new facility and kit.

The Aberdeen-based business relocated its sign division to a new site, on the same industrial estate as its main commercial print production facility, in early 2013. However, late last year it constructed a new mezzanine to almost double the division’s floor space to 280sqm.

As part of the expansion plan for the facility, the company also invested in additional Mimaki and Canon wide-format printers.

According to managing director Ken Massie, the firm is looking at adding a router to the operation later this year.

The sign and display division was created in late 2008, but Massie said it had already exceeded his growth expectations, partly driven by the company’s close proximity to the “oil capital of Europe”.

“In Aberdeen, a lot of the bigger companies previously would have had two or three facilities within the city, but they’re moving out into suburbs to enable everyone to work under one roof. With that comes new signage and wall graphics and all of that has helped grow the business,” said Massie.

Growth has also been fuelled by the company expanding the exhibition services it offers to now include stand design, installation and storage.

He added that the firm’s litho and short-run digital services, which still represent around 80% of its sales, combined with wide-format, would help the firm exceed its 2013 turnover of £3.4m.

“The economy generally has started to show signs of recovery and we want to be part of that. There’s a real buzz around Aberdeen too, as the oil capital of Europe, and with that come new shops, restaurants and hotels, and all of those business require print,” said Massie.

Last year the 32-staff business recruited three additional employees, and Massie said the company was well geared for growth in 2014.

“We’re always on the lookout to improve efficiencies on plant and equipment, though,” he added.

As part of this strategy, the firm’s commercial print arm, which centres on an HP Indigo 5500 and a five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74, will take delivery of a D&K Europa B2 laminator next week to bring laminating in-house.