Frank Moran says his role at Antalis has proved to be both “refreshing and exciting”
What is your history in the sign and display sector, and how did this lead you to your current role?
I started in the sign and display sector three decades ago this month. My career began in 1986 with Adhesive and Display Products (ADP), the specialist sign and display division of the Robert Horne Group. We focused on strong organic growth based on product and sector diversification, quickly becoming the market leader. By the mid-1990s, we were in a dominant position thanks to continued growth via a number of significant acquisitions.
Then, for a time I was the UK sales manager for the global packaging film manufacturer, Klöckner Pentaplast, before joining Europoint in 2000 as managing director. At that time, this was actually the sign and display division of Bunzl Fine Paper. Here, I managed the 2009 integration between Europoint and the Robert Horne sign and display division which eventually became Visual Technology Solutions (VTS) within the Paperlinx group.
Following the Paperlinx administration in March 2015 and the acquisition of the VTS assets by Vink, I established the current Europoint business before deciding to join Antalis in June this year as visual communications strategic development director—a role that has proved to be both refreshing and exciting.
How has Antalis grown over the last few years?
The answer is simple—Antalis has grown significantly. Innovations in technology continue to drive change and inject new opportunities for our customer base. Antalis has been adept at understanding this and making proactive decisions to strengthen our market leading position accordingly.
For instance, we ensure our staff are given high quality training via our Digital Academy on products, printing equipment, and technologies. This enables them to give informed and qualified guidance and advice to our customers.
In addition, continued growth of formidable brands such as Orafol, 3A, Drytac, and Coala has delivered an enhanced level of customer penetration and provided the platform for ongoing product diversification, enabling us to enter new sectors.
Antalis will continue to invest in its people, products, and services as we commit to meeting the changing needs of our customers”
Antalis will continue to invest in its people, products, and services as we commit to meeting the changing needs of our customers and work to establish ourselves as being their first choice supplier.
You exhibited at The Print Show, how did it go?
The Print Show was a successful event for us, both in terms of customer visits and engagement in our key message: ‘Power to the Printers’. Our goal with this theme was to highlight the ability of our customers to create commercial opportunities in new markets, using new products and technologies.
Moran says the audience at The Print Show was a melting pot of existing customers and market entrants, all seeking ways to diversify
The show itself typified what is currently happening in the market. The audience was a melting pot of existing customers and market entrants, all seeking innovation and ways to diversify. Traditionally, this show would have been focused on commercial print, but there was a strong presence this year from sign and display exhibitors, demonstrating what we have seen for a number of years, i.e. the market is moving towards a print solution provider (PSP) model.
Moran says The Print Show was successful in terms of customer visits and engagement in its key message: ‘Power to the Printers’
This appetite from existing providers to diversify, as well as those new to the market, meant that we saw a lot of interest in our easy-apply Drytac printable films (Spot On, Re Tac, Vizi Print Illuminate, and Floor Tac), which remove the need for skilled fitting. Another area of interest was our Coala wallcoverings, a range of easy-apply plain and textured wallcoverings that allow personalisation into the commercial and domestic markets.
What are your most exciting products in the sign and display sector currently?
There is currently a great deal of interest in easy-apply products. For our customers, operating in a challenging economic climate means that time is money. We have worked hard with our suppliers to produce a number of products such as our Coala, Drytac, and Orafol ranges, which offer customers the ability to apply products faster, and without the need for skilled application.
Another exciting development has been in the sustainability space. With Government legislation and taxes on waste disposal placing an ever-increasing burden on companies, making the right choice regarding product selection crucial. With the associated cost of sending product to landfill now circa £250/T, we believe it is important to help customers choose products that can be recycled and, in some cases, can even be a revenue generator at the end of its life.
We have a strong portfolio of environmentally-friendly products. Dispa, the latest addition to our product range, is a bright white, smooth, flat board with a unique embossed paper core that is 100 percent recyclable and FSC-certified. It is rigid and moisture stable, making it ideal for hanging signage or POS applications where image and impact are essential.
Other products such as Smart-X have been in our environmental portfolio for a number of years, but continue to grow in popularity as the requirement for non-PVC products continue to be specified by the end user.
What is Antalis doing to strengthen its sign and display team?
In a rapidly changing market, driven by new technology, we will continue to invest in the best new products, services, and people to ensure we remain the first choice for customers and suppliers alike.
Our Digital Academy was originally created in 2014 to enhance the skills and knowledge of our own team. This has been a significant investment and one that now actively benefits our customers, as well as our staff.
Two years on, the Academy has grown to such an extent that Antalis has been appointed FESPA UK’s training partner of choice. Today, the Academy offers a wide range of workshops covering the full flow of the digital inkjet market—from graphic design, colour management, colour profiling, and printing techniques, through to product selection, applications, and related technical expertise. This wealth of information not only ensures our staff remain abreast of all the latest technologies; it also enables them to bring added value to our customers, encouraging them to up-skill and equipping them with the skills to diversify.
What can we expect from Antalis in the future?
We are focused on continuous improvement and being the best at what we do. We believe we have a significant opportunity for continued growth within the sector, and we have clear strategies in place to deliver this. I would say, watch this space—and expect to see much more of Antalis in the sign and display sector.
I would say, watch this space—and expect to see much more of Antalis in the sign and display sector ”
What do you think makes Antalis stand out as a supplier?
In my relatively short time with Antalis, I have been impressed by the team’s in-depth knowledge of changing market trends, and how this information is analysed and then used for the benefit of our customers. The customer is at the heart of everything we do. This means providing value through investment in people, products, and services, and a commitment to lead and innovate in all aspects of our business.
Key Stats
- Franks Moran’s career began in 1986
- Frank Moran joined Europoint as managing director in 2000
- The Antalis Digital Academy was originally created in 2014
- Dispa board is 100 percent recyclable
For the full interview go to www.signlink.co.uk and search ‘Moran’
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