VUTEk QS printer critical to Glasgow-based EVM's recession-busting growth programme

Glasgow-based Effective Visual Marketing (EVM) has installed a VUTEk QS series machine in order to meet the demand for large format graphics and direct to substrate signage from its home market of Scotland, as well as other regions further afield.

The printer was purchased earlier this summer and forms part of a much larger ‘investment for growth’ programme at EVM.  The VUTEk joins EVM’s existing array of printers â€" including HP, Mimaki and Kodak machines â€" and is already being used to print on a wide variety of flat panel substrates and for soft signage applications, including banners, wraps and flags.

Effective Visual Marketing (EVM) was established in 1991 by entrepreneur and ex-advertising copywriter Paul Fennon.  The company is a well-respected and creatively-driven sign and graphics production house based in the East End of Glasgow where it operates from its own extensive workshops with a highly skilled and ambitious team of technicians and installers.

EVM  provides a wide range of ‘Visual Marketing’ services including large format display graphics, signage, architectural manifestations and bespoke retail POS and furniture.  Customers span many sectors throughout Scotland and the UK including the utilities sector, commercial and residential property, the financial and public sectors and many niche markets including architects, graphic and interior designers.      

Over the years the company has worked with many large national and international organisations including Scottish Power, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, North Lanarkshire Council, CALA Homes, Persimmon, Wood Mackenzie, Cordia and Glasgow City Building, to name just a few.

However, the economic contraction of the last 5 years - particularly in the North of the country - demonstrated the need for some clear strategic thinking for SMEs everywhere - and particularly in the competitive signage and display markets that EVM targets.

EVM’s managing director, Paul Fennon, explains, “We realised very early in the recession that to keep ahead we had to raise our game in terms of quality and environmental credentials.  The company is now British Standard ISO accredited and we’ve invested in capital and training to ensure we continue to grow and come out the other side stronger and leaner than ever.

“This is challenging to achieve in a downturn, but we were convinced that making things happen in the business and being proactive about the future was a better option than sitting around doing nothing and waiting for things to improve. At the time, it was easy to get swept along by the negative sentiment peddled by the national press, but instead we made the decision to invest in training, new staff and technology and expand the business â€" easy really!”

The purchase of the VUTEk QS was very much part of this strategy and EVM researched its product investment options extensively.  Paul Fennon says, “It took us two to three years to make the decision about choosing the right super wide flatbed which also gave us the flexibility to run roll to roll.  We travelled hundreds of miles to look at everything that was out there and investigated every viable printer from every major manufacturer prior to settling on the VUTEk."

“Speed, quality and engineering were the drivers for our decision.  We chose the VUTEk because of its reputation and service support and the fact it’s beautifully engineered, robust and delivers speed and quality.  It ticks all the boxes as far as we’re concerned.
“Our home market in Scotland is fairly small so we need to be able to respond quickly to a wide variety of customer requirements and materials to suit a wide range of needs. For customers further afield, we need the speed and the capacity to get work through as quickly as possible. The VUTEk allows us to do all of this.”

The VUTEk was supplied by PaperlinX Digital Solutions, part of the Robert Horne Group, and Paul cannot commend them highly enough:  “The service and back up we have received from PaperlinX Digital Solutions is top class.  We have a great relationship with the guys at both PaperlinX Digital Solutions and Robert Horne so it made sense to align the machine purchase with the support we get on substrate selection, profiling and a robust supply chain. The overall package set against the total lifetime cost of ownership was perfect for us.  It will enable us to achieve our aim of growing the business as rapidly as possible, whilst consolidating our position as a high quality, low cost producer.”

EVM is using VUTEk’s Series 2 inks in its new machine, backed up with the EFI RIP software. “As EFI is the owner of VUTEk, we have a fully integrated package. The inks and the RIP have been specifically designed for the machine which means the whole printing process is seamless,” adds Paul.

EVM has already put the VUTEk machine to good use.  “We used the VUTEk to print specially designed digital wallpaper for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games headquarters in Glasgow. The wallpaper depicts the Hampden Park stands in the ‘Stadium Room’ at Glasgow 2014 and looks absolutely amazing!” says Paul, “It was a joy to produce since the UV cured process the VUTEk utilises requires no post lamination of the wall paper.”

EVM also produced graphic hoardings for the World Rugby Sevens event for Glasgow City Building, which was recently held in Glasgow. The speed of the VUTEk enabled the company to RIP and print 60 metres of hoarding in less than a day - half the time it would have previously taken.

Paul Fennon concludes, “Last year EVM had its best year ever and this year looks even better. Managing in difficult circumstances calls for tough decisions and a clear vision of how you want the future to look like - not how someone else predicts it’s going to be.”

“The implementation of the VUTEk technology has been very successful.  It meets all of our needs in terms of speed, quality and flexibility. Our older printing machines are fast becoming coat hangers!”

For more information on EVM, please visit www.evm.co.uk

[photos show Paul Fennon, managing director of EVM, with his VUTEk machine (above) and a picture of the Hampden Park wallpaper in the 'Stadium Room' at Glasgow 2014 which was created on the printer (below)]