Decorator Profile
One area of the business that appreciates the investment in the new equipment is the expanded art department. The team is an important part of the business and is integral to the smooth running of the new equipment. All colour separations are now done in- house and sent direct to the Spyder II for direct to screen imaging. The screen print side of the business now joins the companyʼs existing successful side of the business. The original unit houses RDM Greggʼs embroidery, vinyl, transfer and DTG printing services. This now means that RDM Gregg can offer the whole garment decoration package, along with the capacity to supply customers with unique, personal garments.
The Spyder II direct to screen image printer in the screen room
commercially available later this year when any teething problems have been ironed out.
Dave says that these are exciting times for RDM Gregg. “Our aim is to become one of the finest garment decorators possible with an emphasis on being kind to the environment, while also considering the welfare and happiness of our staff as we develop on this adventure.”
Stunning times ahead
Both of RDM Gregg’s 12 station/ nine colour MHM S-Type Xtreme automatic screen printing presses
Stroke of genius
Coupled with the installation of the new print shop will be the introduction of Strokeone, a new piece of software designed specifically for the garment decoration industry. RDM Gregg will be among the first in the UK to test the software and to get it installed. “Strokeone is a production planner that is the most complete system from a garment decoratorʼs perspective on the market today. As we sell our garments online and in store, Strokeone will allow our clients access to a customer portal where they can track job progression and delivery status. The developers are also developing APIs that will allow connectivity to select platforms for both customers and suppliers. Strokeone will enable us, and force us, to streamline our entire manufacturing process and organisation,” says Dave.
The software will be installed and run in tandem with the companyʼs old production system. “The software was developed to run one particular companyʼs print shop and everyoneʼs product and manufacturing requirements are different. There are going to be certain factors within our processes which will need to be adapted to suit the software or, the other way around, the software will need to be developed to suit our processes,” explains Dave. Strokeone has been developed using firsthand knowledge from one of the countryʼs leading garment decorators. It will become
The Strokeone software in use One of the T shirts for EACH being printed
To mark the opening of the new print shop, RDM Greggʼs main supplier donated a selection of Gildan GD001 Softstyle T shirts, which the team are decorating for East Angliaʼs Childrenʼs Hospices. The T shirts were printed using the new screen printing equipment and were the perfect opportunity to run and test the machinery. Money raised from the sale of the T shirts will be donated towards the charityʼs Nook appeal which is raising £10m to build a new childrenʼs hospice in the heart of Norfolk. And finally Dave has some advice for his fellow garment decorators. “My advice to readers, and especially anyone starting out in the industry, is to set out your business plan, where you want your business to be in five and even 10 yearsʼ time and install the structure from day one. I wish I had. We have grown so fast and it becomes difficult to install the structure halfway through the adventure.”
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With this huge investment made in the business, Dave firmly believes that within five years the companyʼs turnover will have doubled from approximately £2m to £4m, with the majority of growth targeted at the screen print side of the business. “On a personal note, I am now 56-years-old so I would like to think that my business life will be a little less hands on in five yearsʼ time. I moved from the edge of London three years ago to join RDM Gregg and with my passion for boats I would like to own a 36ft motor cruiser capable of river cruising and coastal. If you have ever seen the north Norfolk coastline you will understand that ambition. I had not seen it before I moved to Norfolk and it is stunning.”
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