BUSINESS / NEWS 12 www.signlink.co.uk signlink signlink signlinkmagazine Issue 251 - February / March 2024 MacroArt, a provider of wide-format branding and a part of Moss Global, has continued efforts to bridge the gap for young people looking for new career paths. By partnering with Inspire 2 Ignite, MacroArt is looking to provide mentoring, workshops, and guidance to individuals aiming to enrich their experiences and pave new careers. Inspire 2 Ignite, founded by Alex Hughes, is a local non-profit organisation set up to bridge the gap for NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youths in the UK looking for employment opportunities. The organisation’s referral programme places young people in industries best suited to their interests and skill sets. Sam Squire, chief executive officer at Inspire 2 Ignite, says: “We are extremely excited about Inspire 2 Ignite and MacroArt aligning. The company works with some of the biggest brands in the world and has incredible humans who care in its team. “I’ve had the privilege of listening to how its culture has helped young people excel from alternative pathways and I believe it’s an ideal organisation to organically refer young people from the community to.” Inspire 2 Ignite boasts 27 champions, three of which are from MacroArt, from across its 22 network partners. The organisation’s unique way of interacting with young people is what led to MacroArt’s interest in Inspire 2 Ignite. Hughes and Squire visited MacroArt in January to talk to people across the business including its Early Career’s Ambassador team. Creating new career paths MacroArt says the partnership is a “natural fit” as it believes in nurturing talent and growing opportunities in print Josero to be unified under Soyang banner Soyang Europe has unified its operations and strengthened its brand through the renaming of Josero to Soyang Hardware. As a manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and super wide-format media, Soyang Europe’s acquisition of Josero in May 2022 meant the company was also able to offer wide-format print production hardware. The company has confirmed hardware offerings will remain unchanged and customers will continue to experience the same level of service and knowledge from the team but now under the umbrella of Soyang Europe. At The Print Show 2023, Soyang/Josero announced it had been appointed as an approved reseller of Vivid Laminating Solutions’ VeloBlade range, demonstrating the company’s continued expansion of hardware and services. Other brands offered by the business include Fujifilm, Jetrix, Mimaki, Meevo, and Bubblefree. Soyang Europe’s head office and 70,000sq ft distribution centre is based in Accrington, Lancashire Portugal-based technical coated textile group, Endutex, has expanded its distribution into the UK with the acquisition of Ultraflex Europe. Founded in 1970, Endutex has production facilities in Portugal and Brazil and distribution branches in Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany. The company focuses on the production of polyurethane, PVC, acrylic, and silicone-coated media products up to five metres wide. This established distribution network along with a diversified product portfolio means that Endutex exports around 85%. Ultraflex Europe was founded in 1995 and has been selling large-format media since this area of print came about. In 2020, the company acquired Mayday Graphic Products and added litho customers and self-adhesive vinyl products to its portfolio. It was Ultraflex’s strong customer base, good market image, and knowledgeable staff and service that attracted Endutex, and the business will be rebranded to Endutex UK. Stock is available at Endutex UK’s 18,000sq ft Cambridgeshire facility as well as from Soyang UK. Endutex expands by acquiring Ultraflex Europe Ultraflex Europe has become a fully owned distributor for Endutex in the UK ARC-UK doubles its turnover in three years ARC-UK Technologies, a provider of digital print and document imaging services based in London and Dartford, has reported its investment in sustainability has led to a £1m investment after doubling its turnover in just three years. The company which provides vinyl displays and retail signage has increased turnover by 56% from £5.9m in 2021 to £9.2m in 2023. In 2022 ARC-UK said it was one of the first print businesses in the UK to work towards having a carbon net zero headquarters by creating a 30,000sq ft multi-million-pound facility in Dartford. The company also worked with property and investment company, Landsec, to form a strategic partnership to reduce carbon emissions and help support the local council’s carbon neutral strategies. In order to do this the two companies worked together to create neutral print production at Landsec’s major retail destinations in Leeds, Dartford, London, Somerset, Hertfordshire, Portsmouth, Oxford, Cardiff, Essex, and West Yorkshire. ARC-UK says it has witnessed rapid business growth in recent years due to its sustainability and print credentials. ARC-UK is the second in the UK to install a Fujifilm Acuity Prime Hybrid LED By Carys Evans By David Osgar By David Osgar
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