HAMPSHIRE Signmakers Investing in the best with Wellington Signs
Wellington Signs is a small family run company producing signs, banners, A boards, vehicle lettering, shop fronts and all types of signage. The business was established in 1983 by Simon Wellington,
following a brief career as a professional footballer. Signwriting was not new to Simon as for four generations his family’s business had been quality building and decorating, a branch of which was a sign- writing workshop. Since he’d been a child Simon had sat and watched the signwriting and gold leafing being done, and he also took a City and Guilds course in Signwriting.
jackets and school uniforms. Around 1990 the company purchased its first computer for vinyl cut letters, an import from Italy. At that time the machinery with software cost the price of a small house.
“Unfortunately, the Italians don't have a letter Y and so when it Initially working from home Simon moved in 1984 to a run down
shop in the red light district of Southampton (affordable rent!). Within two years he purchased the next door premises, which were derelict, and then had the buildings reconstructed, doing much of the initial work himself. Wellington Signs added several new lines in the late ‘80s
when it invested in the equipment to screenprint and embroider garments including t-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, sportswear,
came to cutting a Y, a space had to be left for it to be cut by hand! A minor detail not mentioned by the suppliers!” says Simon. “Pig in a poke is the expression that springs to mind but Signlab quickly came to my rescue. It was amazing how we managed before that to cut anything at all!” In 1992 Simon and his team moved to their current site in
Winchester Road, Southampton, which has undergone a number of improvements since. Today, Simon is still involved in the business but now Lee Stewart runs the company from its Southampton office as well as doubling up as embroidery designer. In addition, Wellington Signs has an operation in Midsomer Norton near Bath which also produces a large variety of work.
Simon adds: “Those dark
days where I struggled to make a living from taught me one main lesson and that was to buy the best technology on offer but only after it was fully tested by some other poor mug. On the hardware side of things I have always bought the best large format colour printers, plotters, embroidery machines and tools money can buy. Updating and developing the skills base of our staff is also very important. I think those factors and the ethos of the company in putting the customer first has been the secret to our longevity. It sounds corny but it’s true.” Find out more at
www.wellington-signs.co.uk or telephone 02380 780780
72 Sign Update ISSUE 129 MAY/JUNE 2011
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