Jack Smith: New Products for APS at WrapFest

All Print Supplies (APS) was a platinum partner for this year’s WrapFest event and was also demonstrating Fedrigoni’s new C50 Ultimate Slide and Tack digital cast print wrap film at its stand. The product is designed to be micro-textured and bubble-free, with low initial tack and high repositionability.

Demos of the product, as well as the wider range of offerings from APS, were run by Chris Edwards from graphic installation company CVI Group in the pit area during the event.

Jack Smith, regional account manager at APS, tells us more about these collaborations.

Why did APS decide to become a platinum sponsor at WrapFest?

We haven’t exhibited at an event for quite a while now. But with this new partnership with Fedrigoni — it’s something that we really wanted to shout about.

We’ve got a really game-changing product here that we want to offer to the market. WrapFest is the right environment and scenario, for us to showcase and demonstrate the C50 so we can get customers to see the benefits in comparison to other products on the market.

What challenges do you face when trying to convince customers of the benefits of the product?

Most of the customers that we are talking to have used everything else that is out there.

So, as external representatives going out and talking to individuals, it can take time to get the new product name recognised and for customers to realise the benefits.  The customers may be quite happy with their current product and, no matter how well-priced it is, or how game-changing the benefits are, it can be challenging for customers to commit to taking on a new product and undertake all the necessary testing.

The Fedrigoni C50 is an excellent product, that is superior to most other products out there.  It is very well-priced and offers benefits that are almost too good to be true.

Can you talk more about your collaboration with Fedrigoni?

Our relationship with Fedrigoni is only going to get bigger and better. We took on its printable film in November 2023 and since then, it has been rapidly growing in popularity with everyone who has trialled the material.

We’ve also taken on Fedrigoni’s Platinum Polymeric CAD range, and the Ultimate Colour Change Wrapping Film (UWF Slide & Tack) range which we are exclusively launching here at WrapFest.  The UWF Slide & Tack is very exciting and will become fully available in the New Year once the development process is completed.

We are providing swatches, demonstrating the film down in the pits, speaking to customers about how the adhesive works and the many benefits this film provides compared to alternative products, and it has been extremely successful.  We have had some great feedback from people on what they think of the Fedrigoni films, and we look forward to our relationship with Fedrigoni continuing to grow.

Is it important to have that interactive element when showcasing new products like this one?

Absolutely, the demonstrations allow people to see the wrap in action, get hands on and ask questions. It’s brilliant for people to really understand how the product works, especially when they may not be fully aware of Fedrigoni compared to other established names in the industry.

Fedrigoni have been manufacturing some very interesting products for a number of years now. Their engineers have over 20 years of experience at the best, well-known manufacturers in the world, so there is some real pedigree behind the production.

Fedrigoni haven’t previously had a distributor of our size and influence to market its products and show them off. So that’s where we come into the picture.

Can you speak about your relationship with CVI Group?

We have a great relationship with Chris [Edwards, director of CVI Group]. When he first saw the Fedrigoni product, he was completely taken aback by it. He saw the benefit of collaborating with us to try and push the product as much as possible.

Along with a few of my colleagues up North, Chris goes out and demos the products to show the benefits of them. He has gotten to know the guys at Fedrigoni quite well himself and he is a real advocate for their products.

That relationship with Chris is ongoing, and what he is doing with his demos is really positive. As much as he is a partner of ours though, he is also independent. He is not doing this just for financial gain, he definitely sees the benefits of the Fedrigoni products and knows and trusts them.

He has also had a hand in the development of the new Ultimate Colour Change Wrapping Film (UWF Slide & Tack) range as well. I know that he has talked to Fedrigoni about the right face films to use and he is in the process of developing his own brand of ancillaries, which we have started to take on. 

How do you define your output and how does this offering fit in with that?

In terms of a signage graphics materials distributor, we currently supply and manufacture roll media. We distribute some very well-known brands, but more importantly, we also manufacture our own range of adhesive media in the NU-COAT range, which is manufactured in South Wales.

In terms of how we fit into the market though, we’re very eclectic in our product range. We offer print & finishing films, colour & frosted effect films, plus various architectural window film solutions – pretty much anything you can think of within the industry, we supply and our range is ever evolving.

We also offer the LX Hauseys Benif range of architectural interior film which we distribute, and we have been very successful with that.

We are also the largest distributor of Mactac products in the UK. Now with the Fedrigoni partnership, we’re looking to increase our output and push it as far as we possibly can.