Whether it’s during the midst of an economic slowdown or in times of prosperity, the ability to differentiate one’s service offering and exceed customer expectations always plays a key role in influencing business success.

This is something that Blair Scales, general manager of twenty-five year old, Ireland-based, signage and large format printing business, Ballast Signs, is well aware. Since taking the helm of the County Sligo company only two years ago, the astute and forward-thinking New Zealander quickly spied the opportunity to step up a few gears and ramp up Ballast’s service capability.

“From interior or external graphics to illuminated signage, Ballast Signs has always prided itself on being able to deliver a fast and wide-ranging service to customers,” says Blair. “However, the rapid evolution of large format digital printing technology meant that our existing equipment was increasingly falling short in a number of areas.”

Mindful of the continued focus on environmental sustainability and the need to meet customers’ growing expectations to deliver graphic arts projects more quickly, Blair increased the company’s firepower by investing in two HP digital large format printers in a space of just three months. Since that time, the company – which also boasts its own creative design, fabrication and installation teams – has witnessed a two-fold increase in print output, due largely, according to Blair, to the performance attributes of the dual installation.