Signwave Australia has opened a franchise in Osborne Park, the sign and graphics franchise company’s second West Australian centre and its second 2018 launch.

Co-owners, Barry Boyd and Ellie Boyd come to Signwave with 15 years production and operations management experience, with Barry having originally qualified as a printer at the Glasgow College of Building and Printing.

Boyd says, “I am from a printing background, and graduated in 1992. I stayed in the label industry, and self-adhesive side for most of my career, and stepped away from printing about 10 years ago, but always knew I would come back. I think there is money to made in the signage side of print, and saw it as an opportunity.

“We have only been fully operational for four-five weeks now, but getting interest, and putting out estimates for jobs in town, and waiting to convert some of them. It feels good.

“We have got Signwave’s startup model, a couple of employees, a production guy, and a graphics art department. We also have a HP Latex digital printer and plotter, and some more equipment.

“I believe Perth’s market has had a hard couple of years, but it is a good time to get involved again, as things are on the move again in the city. I had been biding my time, and in the planning process for the year.

“Oil, gas, and construction have been picking up, and using the contacts I have in those fields we have been generating a lot of interest.

“This is my first experience owning a franchise, and I took a long time looking at all the options to get into the signage space, and Signwave was to me by far the best option to go with.

“They have been very supporting, and helped with everything I needed. They have been over in Perth three times and training staff, and held my hand throughout, enabling me in this early stage to be fully up and running as a proper B2B business.

“I am excited to be up and going in the market after a long process of planning.”

This is the second expansion announcement by Signwave in 2018, following the opening of its first South Australian store.

Signwave says the duo have put together a strong team, with Lachlan Menzies, who has some 14 years in production, design, and installation – including vehicle wrapping – and Nicholas Carter who has over 10 years’ experience in graphic design, as well as in film application developed through a previous role in a window tinting business.

Linda Sultmann, general manager, Signwave says, “Following the rollouts of Adelaide Central, and now Osborne Park, the benefits of franchise ownership for commercially minded people are continuing to be realised.

“Our preparation process and training are thorough, and our marketing support begins way before the doors open for business. This is the advantage of joining a franchise group with tried and tested methods of creating strong foundations for SMB profitability.”

Signwave says it is especially interested in the Brisbane and Gold Coast markets. There are also a limited number of identified opportunities in other key metro and regional metro areas and a resale opportunity in a prime, Sydney metro area.

Said Dean Rowland, franchise operations manager, Signwave Australia, “Both of our two new centre owners have backgrounds in industries that have made the switch to signage a logical next step.

“Signwave is a smart choice for current sign, print or window tinting business owners wishing to convert or co-brand. Our industry experience, expertise, technical resources and support systems make us hard to overlook for anyone interested in providing a reliable, highly skilled, comprehensive visual communications service.”

The Scottish born Boyds moved to Perth 14 years ago and, along with their 12-year-old son, Cameron, now call WA home.

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