A County Durham-based trade supplier into the signs and graphics industry has experienced a period of growth following significant investments in the company and its portfolio.
During the last five years, Barnard Castle-based business William Smith Group 1832 has expanded with the introduction of its new education facility, The Training Academy, and investment in hi-tech equipment.
The Training Academy, which launched last year, uses the firm’s century of experience in the sign, graphics and interiors industries to train and inspire businesses to explore new markets, upskill their workforce and identify growth opportunities.
Following the popularity of the Academy, which currently offers 10 courses, ranging from film application and wrap training to sales, William Smith Group 1832 hopes to increase the number of courses offered.
The company has also invested significantly in advanced manufacturing equipment, including signage hardware, a channel letter bender, powder coat facility and a pre-wash station, for Smith, the trade-only supplier and manufacturing division of the group. This equipment has helped the business to improve efficiency, reduce lead times and provide higher quality products.
Due to increasing demand for its products, the company has flourished, moving its fabrication team into a new factory, which is double the size of the previous facility, and employing 10 new recruits over the last three years.
The company has also expanded its product offering with the introduction of numerous new vehicle wrap and architectural films and accessories, including films from well-known manufacturers 3M, Avery Dennison and Arlon.
Chris Bradley, Head of Marketing, said: “It’s been a very busy period for the business but the growth we’ve experienced has been remarkable and thanks to the investments we’ve made, we’ve been able to continue to develop as demand has increased.
“The Training Academy has been our biggest venture and it shows our commitment to developing skills, introducing new services and boosting businesses across the industry.
“I can’t wait to see what the next five years have in store for the company. We will continue to grow our team, infrastructure and portfolio to meet our customers’ needs.”
