Company: AstSigns Ltd

Location: Penrith, Cumbria

Established: 2002

Sector: Advanced engineering

Type of business: Sign design and manufacturing and vehicle wrap specialists

No. of employees: 30

MARK Aston set up AstSigns Ltd in 2002 and from its head office in Penrith, and two further units in Carlisle and Manchester, it works with many major blue chip companies to create signs, banners, large-scale artwork and branded wraps for vehicles. Its clients currently include Eddie Stobart, Shell, Santander and Direct Rail Services.

The Penrith headquarters has a range of digital printers, UV flatbed printers, flatbed cutters, routers, heat presses and embroidery machines to produce signs, vehicle graphics, digital prints and clothing.

AstSigns Ltd employs 30 people and currently holds the title of SIA (Solvent Industry Association) Sign Business of the Year.

Mark first contacted Business Link Northwest in 2007 as he was keen to become involved with the organisation in order to keep abreast of the opportunities available to his employees and the business as a whole.

Business Link Northwest advanced engineering adviser Alan Smithson was assigned to the company and carried out a full business diagnostic to establish the areas that could benefit from support.

Mark and his team were keen to explore more environmentally sound production processes and in 2008 approached Alan to find out more about funding sources that could be available to help purchase new equipment.

“The processes that all companies in our industry use require the use of solvents and chemicals. This can clearly have an impact on the environment and we were keen to explore investing in state-of-the-art machinery that produces less harmful emissions and would help us reduce our carbon footprint,” explains Mark.

“Alan informed us about a Grant to Improve Resource Energy that was available from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and, after applying, we were awarded 50 per cent. towards the cost of the new equipment. The grant, which was for £47,500, made it possible for us to buy the equipment. We would not have known it was available had we not been in touch with Business Link.”

The new equipment uses less energy, is more efficient and speeds up the production process because it uses water-based rather than solvent-based ink. It links in with AstSigns’ commitment to reduce its carbon output over the next 10 years and will help in its pursuit of ISO 14001, the industry-wide recognised environmental management standard.

Alan Smithson says: “The grant application process was lengthy as we first needed to establish if the equipment that AstSigns wanted to purchase would be eligible for funding. Once we’d discovered it was, the company then went about putting together a case to present to the NWDA.

“Companies may be deterred by the potential time and cost required to replace equipment in order to cut down on their environmental impact. There is support available and in the long-term, as with AstSigns, new equipment can not only reduce emissions but increase productivity and ultimately, profit.”

Mark adds: “We are keen to look at training opportunities for our staff in the near future and will turn to Business Link for support when the time comes. Our relationship with Alan has been very beneficial to us, in terms of the grant we received, and also in linking us in with other businesses in the area for networking purposes and keeping us informed of what’s available to us.”

If you think your business could benefit from free support and guidance from Business Link Northwest call 0845 00 66 888 or e-mail infobusinesslinknw.co.uk.

For more information visit Business Link Northwest’s award-winning website at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest.