(L to R) Darren Johnstone and David Thompson, directors of UK Metalcraft
Can you give me a potted history of your career in the sign industry?
I have worked at the top six sign companies in the north east, and
started my apprenticeship in 1990. I trained up as a coded welder and
specialised in fabricating large signage structures such as totems. I
also gained a lot of experience in all aspects of sign-making from vinyl
application to LED installation and specification.
I stayed at my first company for 19 years during which time I was
involved in the management side of the company before working my way up
through the industry and moving around to increase my breadth and depth
of experience. This diversity gave me the confidence and experience to
start my own business. My business partner David started out at 16, also
as an apprentice, and has also worked at the top four sign companies in
this region and specialises in letter making. Combined together we
thought it was a good partnership.
So, what motivated you to start your own business?
We saw a gap in the market, as a local trade signage manufacturer had closed down.
Having a lot of experience and energy between me and David, we also just
had a lot of self-belief and really thought we could make a go of it.
We also had a lot of self-belief and really thought we could make a go of it, and we were right”
The other key factor is we knew that many customers’ first and only desire was for quality at a reasonable price.
So, we wanted to start a firm that had a real focus on doing things
right. Every sign we manufacture is inspected by myself or David, and if
there is any issues, we get it redone. Our customers’ reputations are
at stake, and having been a sign-maker for so many years we know what
that means.
UK Metalcraft prides itself on “quality, quality, quality” says Darren Johnstone
I am very proud of how far we have come in a short space of time, as we
started with a 500sq ft unit, myself, and David, and basic equipment.
Three months later we moved to a 1,000sq ft unit and got an apprentice.
Within a year we progressed to having six staff.
Today, having experienced major growth over the last year, we are now in a 6,500sq ft (603sq m) unit with 20 staff.
You recently signed up for the first Signlink Live exhibition, why?
Advertising with Signlink has been very helpful for our company. We have
seen a lot of customers from it, and we want to continue to raise our
profile and grow our customer base, build relationships, and show off
what our capabilities are.
It will be so beneficial to have direct contact with potential
customers. Its model focused on everything in the sign industry, without
any wide-format digital print, is also very attractive. This is because
it will mean the visitors coming to the show will be more focused and
highly qualified for our range of products and services.
Its model focused on everything in the sign industry, without any wide-format digital print, is also very attractive”
We will be showcasing our capabilities for doing built-up letters, aluminum fascia, totem signs, built-up LED illuminated letters, powder coating, flat cut letters, full
fabrication work, plastic built-up letters, digital print, and really
our ability to deliver the full package.
What is your set-up in terms of manufacturing capabilities and what are your ambitions?
As well as having wide-format digital printers, a 4m guillotine and 4m
brake press, we have recently invested in a 3 x 2m AXYZ CNC router to
work alongside our existing router, effectively doubling our
capability. We also currently have three vans so can offer nationwide
delivery.
(Above & below) One of UK Metalcraft’s strengths is its ability to produce bespoke signage for the trade, while also having a large range of ‘off-the-shelf’ systems
So, with that an excellent level of skilled staff, we really want to
keep pushing our capabilities as a national trade sign manufacturer.
Signlink really has been an important part of that, and has honestly
generated a lot of work for us.
Our unique strengths are our quality, confidentiality, and customer
service. And also to offer advice, as we have a really experienced team
that have been there and done it. Sometimes that focus can be diluted
the bigger you get, and so we do not want to be the biggest, but one of
the best trade sign manufacturers in the UK. We want to build on our
excellent reputation and keep pushing forward.
(Above & below) With more than 40 years’ expertise in the metal fabrication industry, UK Metalcraft can boast a great breadth and depth of knowledge and experience when it comes to manufacturing
We have a handpicked team, everyone works hard, and everybody gets
involved with different parts of the business as need requires. Our
knowledge is vast, and even in sales each person has between ten and
thirty years in the sign trade.
More than that though, we offer quick lead times, competitive pricing,
we take great pride in perfection of the finished product, and really
care about the experience of the customer and their business. We want
our customers to be really satisfied with the end product and service,
and it may be a cliché but we are big enough to deliver, but small
enough to care.
Key stats
- 2014 Year founded
- 1990 Year Darren Johnstone entered the sign industry
- 20 staff at UK Metalcraft
- 2017 will be the first year of Signlink Live
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