Signs Express franchise builds on success

Since its launch, Signs Express has gone from strength to strength within both the sign and franchising industries

Last year, Malcolm Lant, Signs Express’ Gateshead franchisee, was named as a finalist in the annual British Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year Awards.

Recognising excellence in the franchising sector and the commitment of those franchisees who ‘set the standard’ for best practice in the industry, it’s the third year in a row Signs Express had reached the finals of the prestigious awards.

Commenting on the nomination, Malcolm said: “I was absolutely delighted to be through to the finals of the awards. Through hard work and determination my team and I have been able to rise through the recession and build a very successful business, providing high quality products and exceptional customer service that results in high levels of repeat business and referrals.”

Signs Express franchisor, managing director Craig Brown, added: “We were delighted Malcolm was shortlisted for such a prestigious award. He is a real credit to the network and his dedication to providing excellent quality products and supreme customer service represents the Signs Express ethos extremely well.

“Our franchisees have been recognised three years in a row in the awards, up against stiff competition such as McDonald’s and 02, so it’s a great achievement to be named once again.”

Couture Signaje for Brighton Fashion Week
—————————————————————

Signs Express is proactively looking for franchisees to complete its network, and one such location is Brighton.To increase brand presence in the area, Signs Express was sign sponsor of the annual Brighton Fashion Week. The event features designers from all across the country and Signs Express complemented its sponsorship of the event with strategic advertising and leafleting in the Brighton area.

“It was a fantastic event and great for us to see all of our banners and other promotional signage in place,” says Hayley Forder, marketing and PR executive for Signs Express. “All signage, including banners, roller banners, window stickers and our newest product Phototex, were used to sponsor the show.”

Vast market potential
———————————

The annual sector survey by NatWest has revealed that franchising has become increasingly popular with Britain’s entrepreneurs, even during the economic downturn - the industry’s turnover increased to £11.8 billion, with 94 per cent of franchisors optimistic about the future.

“This is great news for people who are considering starting up a business on their own,” says Tony Marsh, sales and marketing director of Signs Express.

“Owning a franchise has become especially popular, as you are operating within a proven business model. It’s a great way to give people an opportunity to start up their own business and become their own boss, but with all the benefits of having an experienced brand and support team behind them.

“We offer a fantastic training programme, and our franchisees always feel they are part of one big family. Having the support of an in-house marketing team is also very attractive to the new franchisees.”

Tony continues:“Our franchise model has been designed to provide a full professional service to a vast marketplace of potential customers within the business to business sector. As a management franchise, prospective franchisees require no sign industry experience as full training is provided.”

Second term as British sign association president
————————————————————————-

Signs Express managing director Craig Brown was first elected president of the British Signs & Graphics Association in 2007, a position that is held for a two-year period, and was recently appointed for a second term in April 2011, following the BSGA annual general meeting at the Sign UK exhibition.

Each Signs Express centre is a member of the BSGA and the company is very keen to benefit from the advantages of membership, as Craig explains:“I was delighted to be announced as president once again. It is important for the industry’s governing body to support its members with advice and guidance in order to raise standards across the industry as a whole, and I along with the BSGA council and director David Catanach will strive to do this over the next two years.

“Developments within the sign industry are moving at a rapid pace and one of the most technical functions the BSGA are involved in is working with government bodies in order to disseminate guidelines for best practice in health and safety and legislative changes.

“Over the coming years we will look to promote the benefits of and specifiers who will be able to benefit from associate membership.”

Franchise opportunities
———————————-

Since its launch, the Signs Express brand has gone from strength to strength within both the sign and franchising industries and has continued to push the boundaries to achieve leading status. As a specialist in interior and exterior signs, along with vehicles and window graphics, its national reputation for providing quality products accompanied by excellent customer service has sustained growth since its conception. With this and through its franchise network, Signs Express is able to combine total coverage with local knowledge to its business-to-business clients.

Although Signs Express has over 75 franchisees in the UK and Ireland, there are still a number of new areas where no centre currently resides. These are in effect start-up businesses, which give the franchisee the chance to tap into an area in need of a quality sign supplier.

In addition, with a mature network like Signs Express there are also a select number of resale opportunities, which have a number of benefits. By taking on an already established business, the franchisee gains a distinct advantage as the business is already up and running.

There’s no need to find a production unit to base the business, plus the centre is already fitted out with the required equipment and furniture, so there’s no waiting around for suppliers and no need to waste time organising the layout - it’s already been done. The staff are even there and fully trained, therefore cutting out the time needed to recruit and providing the franchisee with the knowledge of the centre as it currently stands. This means that as soon as the franchisee is in they can start trading and generating profit from day one.

The Signs Express franchise package provides franchisees with the know-how and support to both start in business and develop a flourishing enterprise, and with numerous new territories and established Signs Express franchises on the market there is still plenty of scope to extent the network further.