Stephen Ferrie is director at I-Spi Trade, suppliers of sign fixings to the trade
Family business I-Spi Trade celebrated its 20th year in business this year, demonstrating how its unrivalled knowledge of the sign fitting industry and traditional values have enabled it to maintain its success. Exhibiting at Signlink Live at the International Centre in Telford this October on stand L07, the company clearly also grabs opportunities with both hands to continue to grow its expanding customer base.
Having been established in 1997 by business founder Chris Ferrie, the company first worked on large signage projects for a range of recognised companies such as Tobacco, Bezier, and Sourz. In order to reduce rising costs, the company began sourcing components, such as stand-off wall mounts, directly from suppliers.
I-Spi Trade’ Signalite range gives a great finish to any acrylic panel
As a result, it created a more cost-effective and efficient supply chain, which made the decision to move into the trade supply sector an easy one. This year marks a decade of being a dedicated trade product supplier, having moved fully into trade product supplying in 2007.
Sadly, Chris Ferrie passed away in 2010, with the team at I-Spi Trade calling him “a well-respected figure in the industry” and praising his approach to business as “a simple, low cost alternative whilst ensuring quality and subsequent long-term relationships with customers”. This is something that the company continues to value today.
Continuing family values
Today I-Spi Trade’s growth is driven by Chris Ferrie’s sons, Stephen and Sean, who continue to develop strong working relationships. Stephen joined the family business in 2005, and his brother Sean came on board in 2008.
Director at the company, Stephen Ferrie, says: “Our customers benefit from our friendly family business culture. We support customers today with the same approach we have had since day one, putting them first, with up to date facilities and process.
Our customers benefit from our friendly family business culture. We support customers today with the same approach we have had since day one, putting them first”
“Although online ordering has become the preferred route of supply for customers, they are still able to pick up the phone and discuss products with any of our expert and experienced team. This ability to chat with people that have a deep understanding of the sign fitting industry and the needs of the trade is invaluable to them.”
An example of how I-Spi Trade’s sign clamps can be used and illuminated in wayfinding signage
Ferrie also highlights the team’s dedication as essential to its growth, saying: “We pride ourselves on going that extra mile and this has been key to our success. We are much more than a trade supplier, we provide guidance, advice, and budget management to customer projects and this delivers value for us and our customers.”
We are much more than a trade supplier, we provide guidance, advice, and budget management to customer projects and this delivers value for us and our customers”
In terms of products, I-Spi Trade provides sign fixings such as aluminium, stainless steel, lockable, and screw covers, as well as cable and rod display systems, and LED solutions together with Signalite, the company’s highly-acclaimed LED variation. The Signalite range consists of white, blue, red, and green LED fixings, which provide instant and intense illumination to give an eye-catching finish to any acrylic panel.
The cable and rod display components are ideal for a range of businesses including estate agents. The aluminium sign clamps have an LED variation for sectors such as hotels. The range of products I-Spi Trade provides also includes flame polishing machines that add a quality glass edge to standard acrylic, as well as High Bond tape which is used as an alternative to stand -offs.
(Above & below) I-Spi Trade supplies a range of stand- offs for any sign fixing need
Ferrie comments on the company’s portfolio of products and the way it approaches each sign project: “We are constantly monitoring our product range to keep up to date with what is needed within the industry. Customers enjoy our close working relationship with them and feel comfortable that we will always offer the best solution for their project. We listen to their challenges and we respond.”
Customers enjoy our close working relationship with them and feel comfortable that we will always offer the best solution for their project. We listen to their challenges and we respond”
You can have a look at I-Spi Trade’s products online and even buy products online, although Ferrie encourages customers to give them a call if they have any questions, where the team will be happy to help and find the right solution for them.
I-Spi Trade is recognised industry-wide with the strapline, ‘The best products at the real trade price’. It is this commitment to delivering quality products at the right price that is certain to keep it a key player in the market.
Also, do not forget you can chat to I-Spi Trade at Signlink Live from October 11th to 13th at The International Centre - Telford, where the team will be happy to help. Signlink Live is a first time exhibition that is focusing solely on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the sign-making industry, so is the ideal place for I-Spi Trade to showcase its vast product range. In addition, see p143 of this magazine where you can see its full range of free talks in its special Business Seminar Theatre.
