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HISTORY OF MODERN ENGRAVING LTD
(Creating the right impression for over 35 years)
When pottery worker Brian Ireland decided to join forces with a friend and take a chance on a new business venture in 1970, the ceramics’ industry loss became the engraving industrys’ gain. Brian asked a bank if he could borrow £150 to help start the business but was refused, a second bank also refused to lend £150 but instead offered £2,000 ! and the company began its journey! In November 2005 Brian sold the company to Tony Latham (who had been with Modern for over 20 years) and Martin Wakefield (Director of Colour concepts). Brian stayed on as a consultant until he retired in December 2007 aged 70 !
Starting with a Taylor Hobson CX …
The company started with one reconditioned machine – a Taylor Hobson CX, (now Newing-Hall of course) costing £300 – a veritable fortune in 1970 – the machine was put to good use and within 18 months the company had taken on its first employee and had moved to bigger premises! At present the company employs around twenty people and from its humble beginning has moved with the times with its engraving department now boasting two P N C machines, the company also has a Chemical Etching department, a large Screen Printing section, its own Graphics department and another string to the bow is the Digital printing offered by Colour Concepts who are housed within the building !
Company catchword …
The company catchword “always creating the right impression” is as true today as it was when the company started back in 1970 ! priorities include a fast turnaround, adherence to deadlines. Loyalty to customers and helpful friendly staff ! in 1990 Modern was accredited with ISO9002 and still has these quality systems in place today!
Complete nameplate service …
At Modern Engraving the “complete nameplate service” is no idle boast. With a wide range of screen printing, precision engraving, etching, photoanodising, Digital printing coupled with an in house graphics studio we offer the complete service from artwork right through to delivery. We do as much in-house as possible from new nameplates to restoring and matching of older nameplates from years gone by!
Range and variety …
The range of goods is enormous with languages in anything from Russian to Arabic and plates destined for torpedoes, guided missiles, power stations, etc. In addition to anodized aluminum, brass an stainless steel plates, the company also offers vinyl and polycarbonate signs and labels including a full range of health and safety signs. Tyre moulds, cake moulds and much more.
Such variety means the company is not reliant on any single trade or industry for their work; whilst one department may be quiet another can be very busy! and as most of the staff are fully experienced in several areas they can interchange to fit the company’s demands.
A little extra touch…
Modern tries to give the same priority and service to new companies just starting up as it does to its largest customers which include J C B Excavators, Converteam, E R F to name a few
Loyal customers and suppliers …
The company boasts a customer base in excess of 2,000 and pays tribute to both loyal customers and loyal suppliers who have given tremendous support along the way!
Fast turnaround …
The standard turnaround time for the company is 7 to 10 days, but more often than not a ‘‘rush job’’ may be turned around on the same day. Both engravers and printers alike will tell you how they have been left tearing their hair out after a customer has built a machine or piece of equipment only to discover at the eleventh hour, that they have failed to order a nameplate to go on ! on one occasion we were actually screwing a nameplate onto a machine while on the back of a lorry with the driver waiting to pull the tarpaulin over it !
Delivery …
Free local delivery is offered as the company has a large van and several company vehicles at its disposal, for customers further afield jobs are sent via carrier next day delivery. Modern also deal with companies in the U S A, GERMANY, FRANCE, HOLLAND, ISLE OF WIGHT, GUERNSEY, JERSEY,SOUTHERN & NORTHERN IRELAND AND BELGIUM.
OUR TEAM (PUTTING A NAME TO A FACE)
KAREN ROWE
Karen is the P.A to the managing Director and her
responsibilities include progressing customer orders
processing work sheets and liasing with the directors
if any problems arise. |
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IAN WALKER
Ian runs the Chemical etching department and is
also an experienced engraver. He also screen prints
on site on customers free issue panels and has vast
experience in all production areas having been with
the company for over 25 years. |
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PETER MORGAN
Peter seen operating one of the companies four
guillotines. Pete is a spritely character having already
passed retirement age and commutes daily via bus from
Leek. |
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STEVE BROWNSWORD
Steve is one of the longest serving employees,
with vast experience in all aspects of engraving. He is
pictured here operating the PNC machine which is
constantly in us in our busy engraving shop. |
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RON LAWSON
Ron commutes from Stafford and is responsible
for all engraving and etching enquires, he also ensures
that all bsi standards are kept in place and keeps the
company manual updated – Ron came to modern after
many years as a buyer for GEC. |
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ROBERT BUTLER
Bob is another of the company’s longest serving
employees with vast experience in all aspects of engraving,
from the manual machines through to the PNC. Bob
specializes in free issue products such as moulds and
dies etc, he is seen here operating one of our fly presses. |
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DARREN SPENDER
Daz is our screen maker and is responsible in
making both direct and indirect stencils for our six printing
machines, he also stretches new meshes in house and
helps out in the fabrication department pictured. |
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CHRIS WOODINGS
Chris is the companies quality control inspector and is also
responsible in the upkeep of work sheets and materials
In and out, he works alongside Ron Lawson in the production
office and also helps out with fabrication when required. |
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SABRINA GORTON & KATH KNAPPER
Sabrina is learning her trade as a screen printer
while Kath (pictured furthest) is the department supervisor.
and has close on 20 years experience under her belt,
the girls are seen here printing on the hand presses. |
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JACKIE BRADBURY
Jackie is the company wages clerk and is
responsible for the all credit control, invoice queries,
proof of deliveries etc, Jackie also helps out on the
reception desk as and when required. |
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KATH BARBER
Kath is the front of the company so to speak
as she is usually the first point of contact in the busy
reception/showroom. Kath has been with the company
for over 22 years and her duties include invoicing,
packing, final inspection & dispatching. |
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COURTNEY AITKEN
Courtney is seen here in our graphic design studio.
artwork is created from customer instructions or drawings
and then put onto film for the screen maker. |
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MARK WAKEFIELD
Mark is manager of the digital printing department
which creates large format digital printing, pre spaced vinyl
decals,factory signs, vehicle graphics, billboards & hoardings,
shop frontage and exhibition images to name a few ! |
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JACK BURGESS
Jack is seen here applying a pre spaced decal, he
is assistant to Mark and is learning his trade in one of the
companies busiest departments. |
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JOHN STEEL
John comes from a ceramic backgroundhaving worked for Royal
Doulton Printing and Roffenmark. John can be seen here setting up a nameplate. |
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NIGEL TOWEY
Nigel is our delivery driver and is also fabrication supervisor.
Nigel is pictured here in the company van. |
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TONY LATHAM & MARTIN WAKEFIELD
Seen here are the company directors Tony Latham
And Martin Wakefield seated in the conference boardroom. |
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DIGITAL PRINTER
Pictured here is our large format digital printer |
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COMPANY MASCOT
Stella a king Charles cavalier is the company mascot
and resides in the building most days. |
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SHOWROOM COUNTER
The showroom is situated on the corner of
Liverpool Road/Leese Street, featured to the right is one of
several company fish tanks as Tony is keen on his aquatics. |
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SHOWROOM
On display in the showroom is an insight to the huge
variety of products that are produced by Modern Engraving Ltd. |
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