THE Cobblers may not have fared so well over the past 50 years, but their success in the Sixties was the platform from which
Northampton Signs was launched. Half a century of hard work later, Northampton Signs has developed into a significant local business. Recent wins of national contracts have helped to create employment, and earlier this month its staff numbers grew to 50, matching its age.
The firm, based on the Ross Road Industrial Estate, manufactures, installs and maintains signs for clients locally and across the UK. Its modest aim is to be the best sign company in the UK.
THE Cobblers may not have fared so well over the past 50 years, but their success in the Sixties was the platform from which
Northampton Signs was launched. Half a century of hard work later, Northampton Signs has developed into a significant local business. Recent wins of national contracts have helped to create employment, and earlier this month its staff numbers grew to 50, matching its age.
The firm, based on the Ross Road Industrial Estate, manufactures, installs and maintains signs for clients locally and across the UK. Its modest aim is to be the best sign company in the UK. And it seems to be well on the way to achieving that.
The company was founded in 1965 by electricians David Wright and Kenneth Mosely. When Northampton Town Football Club was promoted to the top flight of English football, the old Division One, new, grander signage was needed. David and Kenneth won the contract, but knew little about signage, so brought Tony McDowell on board. And, in Tony’s garage, with just a jigsaw and a circular saw, that first signage was created.
More work followed and despite the Cobblers only managing to stay in the top flight for that one brief season, Northampton Signs found itself moving up the leagues in terms of signage in the UK.
The business produced lots of signage for the amusement arcade sector through the 60s and 70s. It also worked with a local builder’s merchant, from that first year, Travis and Arnold. Of course, that business’s transition and expansion into Travis Perkins has been of great importance to our local community in Northampton. And the close working relationship has continued with Northampton Signs to this day.
Current owner and Managing Director, Simon Lowin, said, “Our absolute focus on quality products has been essential to the business’s success. We are currently involved in an upgrade of Travis Perkins’ image. We have found signs at some branches that we produced and installed over 30 years ago. That commitment to quality is what has helped us survive, and indeed prosper, as others have failed over the years.”
Through the 80s and 90s the business became more involved with High Street retail brands – Radio Rentals, Topshop, Bejam (which became Iceland) and Thomas Cook, to name but a few.
New premises and investment in equipment were always essential to ensure the business had the right capacity. In 1988, the business moved into newly built premises on Ross Road Industrial Estate. A further, larger, neighbouring unit was purchased in 1997, which, just, manages to house the business still. Continued investment in ‘clever’ machines and efficient planning by the production team means that the factory is always buzzing with activity.
Rex Lowin, Simon’s father, purchased the business from Tony McDowell back in 1990 with some venture capital funds from 3i.
And when Simon Lowin joined the business and took over in 2004, he helped to buy out 3i and make it a family-owned business again.
While national contracts for work are key to the business, local work is still very important to its continued success. From the signs for the Royal & Derngate theatre to the new railway station, and from local corner shops, schools and University of Northampton to Yusen Logistics, a Northampton based logistics firm – there’s again a long list of work with Northamptonshire-based businesses.
“Manufacturing everything in house, here in Northampton, is critical,” said Simon Lowin. “Our staff are fantastic. They are skilled craftsman embracing new methods of working and equipment. And they are the real reason for the 50 years of success of this business. Right now, we are stronger than we have ever been and I’m looking forward to being able to take on more apprentices and developing skills in the next generation, so that the business can attack the next 50 years with optimism as well as pride in our achievements to date.”
If you have any signage enquiries, call Northampton Signs on 01604 758198 or e-mail or visit the website www.northamptonsigns.co.uk