The one thing that separates Concept POP and Displays from its competitors is its constant drive to remain at the forefront of innovation. New technologies are embraced if they demonstrate they can help take the business to the next level of quality and output.
Stephen Wallis, director of Concept, knows exactly how he wants the business to be positioned in the mind of his customers and prospects. “We want to be thought of as unrivalled in the marketplace.”
“We are technology-based and use these new tools to drive our customer growth and take business to another level.”
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| Pictured: Robert Wilson of Fujifilm Sericol(Left) and Stephen Wallis (Right) with the Inca Spyder 320+White exhibited at PrintEx07 |
Concept POP and Displays has been based in Fountaindale on the NSW Central Coast for 32 years. It commenced operations providing screen printing services for local businesses but has since grown to have clients in Newcastle, Sydney and nationally, supplying a full suite of indoor and outdoor signage, display and event solutions.
Had you walked around the Opera House during the 2000 Olympics you would have seen Concept-produced signage throughout the forecourt.
“The ink for that Olympics’ signage was specially produced for us by Fujifilm Sericol. We needed a special matt ink, and because of our great relationship with Fujifilm Sericol, they created it for us.”
The relationship between the two companies has recently produced another leap forward in technology when Concept installed the Inca Spyder 320 flatbed digital printer.
“I saw first hand the emerging movement of flat bed digital printing on a recent overseas trip,” explains Stephen. “After seeing the screen printing industry analysis out of Germany and it really got me thinking seriously about the technology and how it could benefit the business.”
The decision to go with Fujifilm Sericol’s Inca Spyder 320 was based on three criteria: Concept’s drive to have only the best technologies; the requirement that any new digital technology had to be compatible with their existing screen printing technologies; and their relationship with Fujifilm Sericol.
“We custom-built a temperature controlled room to house the Spyder,” explains Stephen. “Fujifilm Sericol’s application support specialists, Matthew Philp (engineer) and Liz Cerbelli (software) have been fantastic throughout the whole installation.”
The Inca Spyder 320 has opened up niche markets for Concept by allowing the company to now print directly onto almost any surface up to 30mm thick. It has improved the resolution on cardboard printing and can even print directly onto glass.
Concept generally uses the digital flat bed for shorter runs – under 255 quantity – and traditional screen printing for larger runs, though it sometimes combines the two forms for gloss varnish projects for an enhanced appearance.
Concept is actively promoting its new digital capabilities and attracting new clients. They are also providing a new trade service with trade rates to screen printers who would like to have access to the digital short run market.
“We can offer the market more than when we were traditional screen printers,” says Stephen. “As well, our partnership with Fujifilm Sericol has become one where we trial new things together. They experiment on new substrates with us. They are there to help us out.”
Concept’s planned business growth is becoming a reality. The company sees a clear way forward for future expansion and believes the Inca Spyder and Fujifilm Sericol are vital components in achieving those expansion plans.
“It’s put us in the driving seat,” says Stephen.
Concept Displays
www.conceptdisplays.com.au
Fujifilm Sericol
www.fujifilmsericol.com.au
