Sapphire Signs Point To Continued Growth

Sapphire Signs, Design and Print is continuing to grow and develop its offering to clients. Based in Fife for 20 years, the original owner wished to concentrate on his other venture in 2020 and regular customer, Piers Rickard, seized the opportunity to take over the business and make it his own. Piers has made significant investment to grow the business during a pandemic. In May last year, the business was relocated to much larger premises is Newark Road South in Eastfield, Glenrothes, more than doubling the size of the production facility.  Piers commented: “We got to the point where business was backing up and lead times for delivery were growing due to the limited space we had. During this growth period we started to offer additional services including web design and branding/marketing guidance for our customers as well as vehicle wrapping, shop signs, corporate clothing, business stationery, wedding stationery and all types of banners. The new facility has given us the space to grow and have up to four vehicles for wrapping/vinyl applications in at any one time. We have hired in-house graphic designers and other employees through Opportunities Fife.” As a client of Business Gateway Fife, Piers was able to access funding to invest in new machinery, including a Capital City Partnership Grant to buy new computer hardware.  His HR adviser, Catherine Bartle, was able to signpost him to a wider support network and funding advice.  She said: “Piers has made rapid progress over the last few months and has already secured four new employees, who were all previously unemployed, through the Employability team at Fife Council. We were able to help him access funding opportunities to continue to invest in the operations for the new vehicle wrapping and graphics service.” Piers added: “I am grateful to the support I have received from Catherine at Business Gateway Fife and Fiona McGuire and Ann Salt from Opportunities Fife. Due to the new premises and investment in staffing and equipment, we have seen an increase in footfall and work delivered through being close to Screwfix and the Tool Station. I am glad to have been able to find premises in the same area for our existing and new customers, as it is an excellent location just off the A92. We have standardised our working practices and have procedures and processes in place for all the task we carry out. Sapphire can now take on much more complex work, especially on the new vehicle wrapping and graphics side, creating a one-stop shop for all graphics-related materials.” Whether thinking of starting a business or looking to grow or sustain an existing business, contact Business Gateway Fife on 01592 858333 for a variety of advice and support or visit www.businessgatewayfife.com