Aberdeen printing firm Compass Print has invested around £100,000 in new premises and equipment as it looks to grow its turnover in the current financial year.
The firm, which is based on Hareness Road, recently took on an additional 149m2 building on Souter Head Road to accommodate its growing signage division. A new mezzanine floor takes the floorspace to around 280m2.
The firm’s head count has risen by three to 32 in the past 12 months. This includes recruiting Andy Stewart, formerly of Passell, who will oversee the production staff working in the signage division and assist in growing the business further.
Compass Print’s turnover for the current financial year is on target to exceed the £3.4m it recorded in the year to end 31 January 2013. The firm’s signage division, which includes the manufacture and installation of internal and external signage and design and production of vehicle livery, exhibition stands and portable displays, is making a growing contribution to its turnover. Litho and digital printing continues to make up the largest proportion of the firm’s business as demand for printed materials remains strong.
In addition to the new building, Compass Print plans to purchase a router to cut different thicknesses of substrates in-house and improve the scope of the signage and display work the company handles.
Managing Director Ken Massie said: “We have seen significant growth in our signage and display division over recent years and expect this to continue to aid the development of our business over the next 12 months. The new facility addresses our need for additional space and our continued investment in cutting edge equipment enables us to deliver a faster and more innovative service to our clients.
“An issue that the printing industry is facing, and one we are tackling head-on, is the need to train young people to ensure relevant skills are passed on. Printing is not seen as the attractive, glamorous side of the creative sector and instead many young people want to work in design studios. However, as some of the young people we have employed recently are realising, it can be an equally creative and satisfying profession.”
Established in 1974, Compass Print is one of the largest privately owned printing companies in north-east Scotland.
