Just in time for its 30th anniversary, we speak to co-founder of The Sussex Sign Company, Norman Mayhew, who tells us about the company’s success, challenges, and promising future
Founded in 1995, The Sussex Sign Company is celebrating 30 years in business this year. Located in Portslade near Brighton and Hove, the company has seen a number of changes over its history and overcome several hurdles to provide quality customer service and value for money to its customers.
Recently the company was recognised at the UK Graphic Awards, winning Gold in the Roll-Out award thanks to its impressive project for Paxton Access, a manufacturer of access control systems.
The project is reflective of the dedication and perseverance that has led to the company’s reputation and success over its 30-year history.
Norman Mayhew, managing director of The Sussex Sign Company, says: “Our company is built on a foundation of honesty and hard work […] Our goal is to continue being the best sign company in Sussex, recognised not only for the quality of our work but also as a company where every person wants to work, and every business wants to partner with.”
But how did this 30-year-old signage company begin, and what challenges have led it to become the business it is today?
The Sussex Sign Company was started by Mayhew and his father-in-law in January 1995 with the intention of using their experience in business and graphics to start a new company.
“When we first started, I vividly remember our very first order – placing price stickers on the bonnets of 40 cars for a dealership charging £4 per car,” says Mayhew, adding: “That initial order brought in £160, and in our first year, our turnover was £38,000. We reinvested everything back into the business, often living hand to mouth and never quite having enough to achieve everything we envisioned.”
Despite the careful beginnings, The Sussex Sign Company continued to grow over time, allowing Mayhew and his father-in-law to hone their skills, hire talented staff members, and embrace opportunities that were brought about by the growth of the internet.
“This steady progress led to significant growth in both turnover and profits,” explains Mayhew. We even acquired two of our major competitors in Sussex, and by 2008, we had three branches and a turnover of £1m.”
Over its 30-year history, it’s not surprising that The Sussex Sign Company will have faced a number of challenges, not only on its own doorstep, but challenges that affected businesses around the world.
“The 2008 financial crisis hit us hard,” says Mayhew, explaining: “Over-expansion and high debt levels left us vulnerable, and by the end of 2009, the business was on the brink of collapse. We had to close two branches, consolidate operations into our current location, and begin the challenging process of paying off debt and rebuilding. This took eight years of determined effort.”
The difficult time meant that despite overcoming a lot of the struggles of cash flow and lack of experience, it was more heartbreaking when more challenges were on the way.
“Banks and financial institutions are often only there when there’s no real risk involved. As the saying goes, they’re happy to offer an umbrella when the sun is shining but quick to take it back when it starts to rain,” remarks Mayhew, adding: “The crisis was particularly tough.
“Much of that was my own doing. As a young man, I had expanded far too quickly, driven by the arrogance of thinking everything I touched would turn to gold. It was a humbling and valuable lesson in restraint and strategy.”
In 2019 Mayhew and his team were ready to expand again, however, the global pandemic caused more issues and a freeze in expansion plans. Building the team back from just eight members after 2008 to 24 in 2019 put The Sussex Sign Company in good stead to carry out its plans, but the world had a different plan when Covid-19 affected everything around the world.
“Nothing could have prepared me for Covid. Beyond the fear of losing my business, I lost many talented team members and, heartbreakingly, some very dear friends. Covid was divisive in so many ways, and its impact still lingers. The scars, both personal and professional, are ones I continue to carry today. These experiences, while challenging, have shaped me and the business into what we are today: resilient, reflective, and stronger for the lessons learned.”
The onset of Covid-19 meant that the company had to reduce itself to 12 team members and scale back production, pivoting to new work in order to keep the doors open. “Since then, we’ve been steadily rebuilding, and today we are back to a team of 19,” says Mayhew.
Despite a raft of challenges and lessons, The Sussex Sign Company is now poised to expand to new heights and take what has happened in the past as building blocks to a new future.
“In 2021, our turnover was £900,000,” states Mayhew, adding: “We then set an ambitious yet achievable goal to grow the company to £2m over the next six years, more than doubling our turnover post-Covid. With a depleted team, limited cash flow, and a country in turmoil, it was a significant challenge. However, we’re proud to say that for the current financial year, we are on track to achieve a turnover of £1.35m. This puts us firmly on course to hit our £2m target by the end of 2027.”
With various types of projects and work available to sign, display, and graphic companies, Mayhew has acknowledged the importance of making his team experts in areas that he knows the company can excel in.
“As a full-service sign company, we produce a wide range of products in-house. However, to ensure that every product we provide meets the highest standards, we collaborate with a trusted network of trade partners.” Mayhew also emphasises the importance of training, which The Sussex Sign Company has focused on through the use of the Make It Happen workshops, run by Sam Armstrong and her team.
“With this combination of in-house expertise, trusted partnerships, and ongoing training, we are confident in our ability to deliver outstanding solutions for any print or signage requirement.”
For Mayhew, the growth he has seen in his staff members is what has made him the most proud of the company he helped build. “My current general manager, for instance, started with the company at just 18 years old, and now plays a crucial role in running the organisation. She is keeping the wheels turning and making sure every department is on the same page. She is destined for great things.”
Day to day Mayhew says the work the company does, from design to installation, is “a real team effort.” Over the 30 years, many team members have joined the SME to grow and: “move on to even bigger and better opportunities”.
Currently the business occupies a 371sq m head office in Portslade where it is able to produce a range of offerings including signage and vehicle wrapping. In 2025, The Sussex Sign Company is hoping to invest in additional workshop space by adding 92sq m to its production warehouse, where it will be able to improve its vehicle wrapping and premium signage offerings.
Speaking of his time with the company, Mayhew says: “Having started The Sussex Sign Company as a young man, now, as I enter the autumn of my career, I take great pleasure in driving around Sussex and seeing the lasting impact of our work. There’s one sign I personally fitted 18 years ago that I pass every day on my way home, and it still looks great. Knowing that my business is leaving a lasting legacy across Sussex fills me with immense pride.”
Mayhew has many standout projects in his mind from over the years, with a particular highlight being the work it has done for one particular client spanning 25 years. “We sign-wrote their very first van and have continued to sign-write every vehicle in their fleet since – they now have 42 vehicles, and we estimate we’ve sign-written over 200 vans for them in total.”
Building relationships, employees (some of which have gone on to start their own businesses), and making a difference in the local community, by donating free signage and money to charity, have all been incredibly important to Mayhew and The Sussex Sign Company. The passion and experience Mayhew and his team have in their work, is clearly visible not only in the projects they undertake, but the strong legacy they have created.
But what does the future hold for the company? “We’re setting our sights on a robust growth plan for the next five to ten years” says Mayhew.
“This thriving market presents us with the perfect platform not just to achieve our goals but to exceed them. With the right team and a positive attitude, we’re ready to embrace the next decade with ambition and determination. This journey will not only solidify our position as an industry leader but also prepare the business for my eventual retirement at the age of 70 – and, hopefully, a successful management buyout to continue The Sussex Sign Company’s legacy.”
Statistics
1995 – The company was founded on January 1st, 1995
30 years – 2025 mark’s the company’s 30th anniversary
371sq m – The current head office occupies 371sq m at its site in Portslade
19 – Currently employs 19 members of staff
