Overheads and wages: concerns of a sign-maker
Every sign-maker is different but there are some universal issues that crop up in the industry, whether the firm is large or small.
Thursday, 31 Jul 2014 14:41 GMT
Sign-maker: James Graves runs TTC Signs in Bracknell
James Graves of TTC Signs in Bracknell is typical of a smaller sign outfit battling the everyday problems of most small businesses. I asked him what the main problems were for him in running a sign business.
Top of the list is overheads. He says things like electricity and utilities are a headache as he doesn’t have much control over them and with 1,500sqft of workshop to heat and light his electricity bill in particular is one cost he could do without. The firm has moved to the unit on the Longshot Lane industrial estate in Bracknell from offices over the road, as business expanded in the last couple of years. In doing so the firm has to pay hefty business rates which are charged by the local authority and based on the property’s rateable value.
With staff comes the usual issues of sickness, holidays and gauging workflow against the amount of time each job takes”
Wages are another cost, says James, who feels he has got the right amount of labour for the size of business but would like to take on an apprentice. He says he is looking into that option and when I visited him he had the paperwork on his desk. With staff comes the usual issues of sickness, holidays and gauging workflow against the amount of time each job takes. Overtime is one way out to ensure rush jobs are completed and like many owners James says he has to sometimes work all hours. He says he has become very good at juggling work, managing the business, increasing sales and doing all those little jobs that come with running a small business.
Looking to the future, James says vehicle wrapping has been a growth area along with the general signage that has come with the regeneration of the town’s retail centre. He says that has brought in a lot of window graphics, point of purchase and general retailing graphics as well as digital printing of stationery items required by customers.
He says he didn’t plan on growing the business as quickly as it has, and hopes for a period of consolidation in the industrial estate just outside Bracknell town centre.
What are the main everyday issues at your sign-making business? Send them to Harry please at
harry@linkpublishing.co.uk
Follow Harry at Link Publishing on FaceBook at
www.facebook.com/harry.mottram.50; LinkdIn at
www.linkedin.com/home?trk=nav_responsive_tab_home; Google+ at
https://plus.google.com/u/0/; and Twitter at
https://twitter.com/.
ENDS
