L to R: Jamie Douglas, Laura Riddell, Dave Riddell, Carolyn Riddell and George Mason.

New digital cutting capabilities ensures less work contracted out and opens up new markets and revenue streams

CMYUK, Shrewsbury: FASTSIGNS Gloucester has installed a Kongsberg X20 Edge from CMYUK. This new digital cutting table will enable the company to bring most of its work in-house as well as offering access to new markets and revenue streams.

Set up 14 years ago, this FASTSIGNS franchise based in Gloucester is a family-run business. The team includes Dave, Carolyn and Laura Riddell, Jamie Douglas and George Mason. It offers a vast range of signage and printed display solutions for the construction, manufacturing, education, healthcare, housing, retail, events and exhibitions sectors.

The company’s requirement to acquire a digital cutting table was brought about by the demand for greater speed and efficiency. FASTSIGNS had looked at a variety of cutting options from several manufacturers but a timely e-shot from CMYUK regarding a Kongsberg X20 Edge digital cutting table made enough of an impression for Dave and Carolyn to press pause on another cutter that they had been seriously considering.

CMYUK recognises that often for smaller businesses taking time out of the working week for an equipment demonstration can be difficult, which is why CMYUK offers Saturday appointments. Taking advantage of this unique service, Dave and Carolyn were both able to visit the CMYUK demonstration and training facility in Shrewsbury to evaluate the X20 Edge.

Dave says, “We were both impressed by the X20 demonstration and could see the productivity gains the Kongsberg table offered and the added value it could bring to the business due to its capabilities and versatility.”

The X series of Kongsberg cutters offers futureproofing to business owners as its capabilities can be upgraded, adding tools as and when, underpinning the continued growth of companies that invest in this type of technology.

FASTSIGNS Gloucester’s X20 purchase included a Router, Rigid Material blade, Kiss Cut blade and Diamond Polishing bit. The equipment was also configured with a camera registration system ensuring the most accurate cutting, folding and engraving even on the most complex of jobs.

The X20 Edge is ideal for businesses that are relatively tight on space. It has a working area of 1680mm by 1270mm and a conveyorized belt option allows for the cutting of panels/materials larger than the physical bed.

One of the reasons for purchasing the X20 Edge is the ability for FASTSIGNS Gloucester to bring much of its work in-house. For example, popular products such as acrylic letters and panels have traditionally been supplied by a third party. These can not only be done in-house now but FASTSIGNS Gloucester can really push forward and become more ambitious offering innovative products to its customers.

Dave explains “We’ve got many customers who have requirements we weren’t aware of and we hope that by talking to them about the Kongsberg this will open up more opportunities to supply different products. We want to service our loyal customers much more comprehensively. The Kongsberg is not only about making things faster – it’s allowed us to do things such as contour cutting shapes and letters that we couldn’t do before. We’re undergoing training on-site and this is igniting so many ideas and additional possibilities for the business.

“Going forward, we’re aiming to increase our overall sales and profit on products that we used to subcontract out and items that we used to fabricate by hand, further improve on quality and shorten lead times.

“Working with CMYUK has been a positive experience. We know if we need support or advice they are only a phone call away.”