SIGN News A great day out at Simplex
Simplex, the long established and well respected trade signmakers in Lancing West Sussex, threw open their doors for three days commencing the 16th May, and invited Roger Hinchliffe, Publisher, and Janet Brennan, Features Editor, from Sign Update.
We were treated to a very interesting tour of the factory, where production was in full swing to allow visitors to watch sign construction and fabrication in action. Simplex had comprehensive stocks of the Pole and Plank
range of extrusions and showed us just how easy it is to build and then change the planks. Indeed it was so simple that even we from Sign Update, were expert within minutes. Building on the success of this product there was a lot of interest in the company’s new six metre twin headed Elumatic saw which was being put through its paces and certainly was very impressive. Simplex informed us that this new purchase has significantly sped up production times and they are now pleased to be offering a new 48 hour* cut to size service for standard mill finish Pole & Plank products, allowing signmakers to paint the sign themselves and offer a faster turnaround on those jobs that really need it. We were then taken into the metal fabrication area where
welding, cutting and brake presses were being operated. All their equipment is of three metre capacity, which means less joins in fascias. We were impressed by the accuracy and care used in producing the work undertaken by the staff and Simplex have recently taken on an apprentice because of the difficulty in getting the people with the skills they require locally. Some of Simplex’s suppliers (who they prefer to call partners)
were there including Sign Gear Systems who were showing a range of LEDs and demonstrating them in various sign applications. Phil Griffiths was answering questions from visiting sign companies giving valuable advice. In the background Simplex were completing customer’s orders of which quite a few were illuminated by LEDs. One such sign was a large totem which when lit looked simply magnificent.
The use of ACMs in signage is prevalent and scores heavily in
terms of being light but very rigid, the example we saw was a large illuminated back box filled with LEDs. Jeremy Green of 3A Composites was displaying the complete DiBond and DiLite ranges with the many colours and patterns now available. Simplex say they use a lot of the Butler finish DiBond in place of stainless steel to good effect. Apco, represented by Boyd Pratt attracted considerable interest
with the different ranges of extrusions for making directories and poster cases. These systems are also stocked by Simplex and offer many options to the signmaker for achieving smart and functional directories. We decided to make a dash for the food at that point but ended
up in the showroom where we were dazzled by the different types of signage produced by Simplex, including beautifully crafted built up letters , painted, polished and illuminated, internal directories and bespoke metalwork and monoliths. In talking to the Directors of Simplex it emerged that they will
not buy from the Far East, preferring to source from the UK and Europe. They say price is not everything but quality, service and reliability is, which is also the ethos on which Simplex trade. Finally we found the food and our thoughts about dieting went out of the window. Sadly though this was, for us at least where Simplex got it wrong. I opted for some really delicious ham sandwiches and to my horror no mustard was available. I complained to one of the Directors that my lunch should have included mustard but he stared blankly at me and said “what’s lunch?” Roger adds: “I only picked on the food because it was all I could find fault with the entire day, apart from my worn out knee.” If you are interested in Simplex helping you on your next project,
be it large or small, they can be contacted on 01903 750333 or by e-mailing
sales@simplexltd.com * length restrictions apply on 48 hour service.
66 Sign Update ISSUE 130 JULY/AUGUST 2011
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