Displayways adds staff and finishing to improve customer service

Displayways has completed a restructuring, rebranding and re-investment programme.

The move follows its acquisition by Rob Kelly and Peter Sheldrick last summer.

"We have put in the people, systems and equipment needed to take the company to the next level," said managing director Rob Kelly.

Staff changes include ensuring there is a manager for all parts of the business including studio, production, finishing and installation, and adding project management expertise with the appointment of an account director.

Appointments include finishing manager Jayson Hanson and account director Keith Birch. Hanson and Birch joined from St Ives’ Service Graphics division. The appointments take the headcount to 20.

A Zünd G3 cutting and routing table was the biggest investment, replacing an earlier Zünd. It also upgraded its production scheduling system.

"The new cutting table makes us more efficient, this isn’t part of a huge growth plan, if we win more business that is a bonus," said Kelly.

The firm runs Océ Arizona UV flatbed and Océ LightJet digital photographic printers, with no plans to add additional print capacity, or to move away from photographic output.

"Our customers are still specifically asking for photographic output, and in the markets we serve there is a clear need for that quality and finish," said Kelly.

The rebrand included a new website and brochure to highlight the firm’s offering and positioning, which Kelly described as: "Serving the bespoke end of the graphics market with a focus on customer service and project management working directly with clients, designers and architects."

The South London firm’s markets include high-end retail, exhibition and museum graphics. It had sales of £1.8m in 2012 and is aiming for "just over £2m" in 2013.