The unfortunate news from Adelaide is that the state’s and possibly the country’s foremost manufacturer of etched, engraved and printed metal signs has to be sold due to the illness of long-time owner, Peter Vasic.
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| Engraving Services, 818 Port Rd, Woodville, Adelaide |
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| Peter Vasic, owner ESC |
Some signs and plaques have to last ‘forever’, and through the harshest conditions imaginable. Maritime signs and labels, especially in defence applications, have to be of the highest, durable quality and this is where Engraving Services Co has shone for 50 years. The company and its sibling Insignius Signs also produce retail, wayfinding and general signage plus printed novelties and name badges, is a long-term ASGA member and multi-award winner.
Engraving Services (ESC) is currently trading on a high, having won defence sign and plaque contracts for the building of 2 Patrol Boats, 8 Frigates and 12 Submarines. This equates to hundreds of thousands to potentially millions of labels, Signs and identification products. The markets the company supplies are: Defence, Oil and Gas, Mining, Electronics, Electrical, Engineering, Aerospace, Marine, Shipbuilding, Local Government, State Govt., Federal Govt., Designers, Sign Companies, Engraving companies, Trade Printers - and many more clients Nationally.
Peter has run ESC since 2003 and employs some very skilled engravers and etchers on board. Their unique ability to produce printed, photo-chemical etched, routed and engraved signage sets them apart from the average or franchise sign business. Even the equipment list is markedly different including: Flatbed Hybrid Roll to Roll printer a Meitu Machine R180 (China) 1800 mm wide; Vision 2424 Engraver Router; Tekcel 900 x 900 Router; Newing Hall 350 Engraver; Dahlgren Wizzard XL; Taylor Hobson Pantograph; Deckel Pantograph; Universal Laser; Spirit Laser Pro Engraver; Screen Printing facilities; Photo Chemical Milling Line 1320 mm x continuous length; Hot cold 1800 mm Laminator; Epson Film printer; Vacuum Exposure table -large format; Oversize Spray booth 7 metres x 4 metres x 3.2 metres; 2.4 metre hydraulic guillotine; 900 mm 3 Phase Guillotine; 1.2 metre 3 Phase Guillotine; 1.8 metre Panbrake; Various Fly presses and general Workshop equipment, polishers, linishers, Drill presses; Varga Saw; Large wall/ Drop saw; Table saw.
If this sounds like a metal workshop – it is that as well, and a very accomplished one. There’s probably not another Sign business in Australia with such capabilities, contracts and potential.
This brings to mind succession planning, a topic on which James Cryer and myself addressed a PIAA gathering a few years ago. The main message was to ‘always have a succession plan’ – even from the beginning of starting or acquiring a business. It’s all part of risk management and business continuity, to use big-end-of-town parlance.
We wish Peter Vasic well for a quick sale and improving health. Business opportunities like ESC/Insignius do not come up very often; we are too frequently assailed with stories of bankruptcies and liquidations. This appears to be a fine business, operating in profitable niches and with a blue-chip client list. Go for it someone!
Websites: www.engravingservices.com.au & www.insignius.com.au
Contact & Capability Documents: Peter Vasic, E: peter@insignius.com.auT: (08) 8269 1364
