Creating Superb Signage @ Meliador Way
13 years is a long time in anyone’s books. And today we celebrate 13 years in our Meliador Way offices – the nerve centre of the Signs & Lines and Yap!digital business’ here in WA. This is where we create the magic – the superb signage that we’re renowned for.
After buying the business in 2001, we started to imagine what the perfect signage factory would look like. In the sign industry each sign typically runs through a series of different manufacturing processes. Our goal was to build a factory that provided a logical, well organised and trade-specific setup that maximised efficiencies at every stage of the process. Through consultation with some signage ‘old-hands’ we set about creating the ideal factory. Firstly, we divided the 1500 square metres into eight distinct parts. And made sure that each part could cater for the unique requirements of the trade and process. The eight parts were:- graphics, routing, spray painting, metal fabrication, assembly, yard, design and project management.
What makes a Great Sign Factory?
The thing about signage is that most of it is custom designed. Of course there are some road signs and statutory signs that are ‘off the shelf’. But the vast majority of our work is unique. For instance, we design to order – for each customer’s requirements, brand, dimensions, logos, colours etc.
A great sign factory has to be able to embrace this uniqueness and allow for individualism, whilst also achieving process flow, quality assurance and excellence every step of the way.
The Steps to Superb Signage
Our factory design mirrors the steps that we follow to create superb signage.
Most signage will require a graphics element. Graphics may include vinyl or digital print. It can encompass lamination and flatbed printing. Our factory uses all four production methods. This area of a factory needs to be clean, dust-free and set up for large pieces of equipment. Our factory has a closed, well ventilated area set up to achieve the best quality graphic outputs.
The spray painting area is another section of the factory that has to be clean and dust free. Achieving automotive quality finishes requires our work areas to be kept in pristine condition and this is achieved by separating this paint area of work from others.
Metal fabrication and router work are more dirty and noisy. Most importantly, these two areas are kept separate also to ensure that the quality of the signage is not impacted by the general manufacturing outputs and swarf. Don’t get me wrong, the dirt and noise do not mean mess!
5S For Fantastic Factory Outputs
Both all work areas are kept immaculate and our 5S programme ensures that everything has its allocated space. Our team are full bottle on SORT, SET IN ORDER, SHINE, STANDARDISE, SUSTAIN. Above all, this logical approach and focus on housekeeping tasks ensures that the whole operation is built on a clean/safe culture.
Assembly of all the components occurs in our two general workshops. These are large open spaces equipped to cater for all types of signage. It maybe a huge digital pylon, fabricated letters with LEDs going onto a crane, it maybe a massive bus that is having new graphics applied, or it maybe 40 odd wayfinding totems. Therefore, when the signage comes together, and final QA checks have been made, our installation teams can go to work.
Whatever the project, our factory works.
A Superb Result
Most importantly, the building was designed with signage in mind. In 13 years there have been very few occasions when we have regretted the overall design. More space is normally what we need!!
A few of us reminisced about the day, 12th November 2007, that we moved from our old, small, run down workshop in Bellevue at the back of Bunnings, to the new, shiny, state of the art offices and workshops.
How lucky are we!
For More Information
Our team of professionals are just a phone call away. Get the most out of your signage with a company that’s set up for excellence.
Importantly, for help or friendly advice, call the office today and ask for one of our sales team + 61 8 9274 5151. And feel free to email or visit the history section on our website for more about us. Above all, if you feel like visiting our factory to see its set up for yourself, you are most welcome!
We’re ready to start talking! So speak up now about your next project or idea.
T + 61 8 9274 5151
