Wallace Print Caps Strong Year with Factory Purchase

Wallace Print Caps Strong Year with Factory Purchase

Wallace Print has strengthened its long-term position with the purchase of the Rochester factory it has occupied for the past 15 years. The company completed the acquisition of the 1,115sqm facility in October, marking a significant milestone for the business following a year of steady growth and operational development.

The purchase provides the company with greater control over its production environment and future expansion plans. In recent years, Wallace Print has continued to invest in equipment, infrastructure and digital systems to support increasing demand across large format printing and display graphics.

Securing the property allows the business to further adapt the facility to meet evolving operational requirements while maintaining continuity for staff and customers.

Expanding the Rochester Production Facility

Before completing the purchase, the company had already begun expanding the working capacity of the site. A 20sqm mezzanine floor was added last year to provide additional internal space within the factory.

Following the acquisition, Wallace Print has started reconfiguring parts of the building to improve workflow and create additional room for its growing sales and production teams. This kind of development reflects a broader commitment to improving internal processes, production planning and customer support across the business’s large format print services.

Managing director Gary Wallace explained that ownership of the site gives the business the confidence to make more substantial improvements to the facility.

“It’s huge for the stability of the company,” said Wallace. “At the moment we’re changing the factory around, putting double-glazing in and knocking the front offices through so the sales team can grow.”

Further internal development is also planned.

“We’re also going to extend the mezzanine floor and put glass offices up with a boardroom and various other rooms,” Wallace added.

These changes are intended to support both operational efficiency and future growth as the business continues to develop its production capabilities.

Investment in Systems and Workflow Improvements

Alongside physical improvements to the factory, Wallace Print is also introducing a new Management Information System (MIS) to improve workflow and internal processes.

The company is currently working with a consultant to implement the system before the end of the year. Better job handling and reduced duplication are particularly important in a business producing varied work across point of sale printing, signage, wall, window, floor and hoarding graphics, where accurate scheduling and clear communication can have a direct impact on delivery and production efficiency.

According to Wallace, the new platform is expected to significantly reduce duplicated tasks within the sales and production administration processes.

“We’ve got a consultant in looking at that now, and once it’s in it will release around 40% of the work that my sales team do and remove duplication in the workflow,” he said. “It’s going to lead to more sales and more growth.”

Introducing the MIS system will allow the company to better manage job tracking, production scheduling and client communication while freeing staff to focus on customer service and new business development.

Growth Through Online Sales

Wallace Print has also seen continued growth through its website and e-commerce platform, which now accounts for approximately half of the company’s annual turnover.

The business has steadily expanded its online presence over recent years, enabling it to reach a wider customer base across the UK. As more clients research and source print online, clear digital access to, display graphics and signage has become an increasingly important part of the company’s commercial growth.

“Across the board, we’re winning a huge amount of work via the internet and through our website,” Wallace said. “The web is an incredible tool, and that’s why I’m looking to bring someone in to manage our web presence and our SEO activity.”

The growth of online orders has become an increasingly important part of the company’s business model, supporting both repeat customers and new enquiries.

Continued Investment in Print Production

In addition to improvements to the factory and digital systems, Wallace Print is planning further investment in flatbed printing technology to support increasing demand for rigid media graphics.

The company is considering the addition of a fourth flatbed printer to complement its existing production equipment, which includes a Canon Océ Arizona 250 GT wide-format printer installed in December 2012, alongside two Fujifilm Acuity Advance machines.

Expanding flatbed capacity would allow the company to handle larger volumes of rigid media printing for display graphics and point-of-sale materials. This type of equipment is particularly relevant for more durable printed applications where material choice, board stability and finishing requirements all need to be considered at the quotation stage.

To support these plans, Wallace Print is exploring the possibility of securing assistance through the Regional Growth Fund.

If successful, the funding could also enable the company to recruit between three and five apprentices, providing opportunities for young people in the local area to gain experience within the print industry.

A Growing Family Business

Wallace Print remains a family-run company offering a wide range of printing and finishing services, including screen printing, lithographic printing, digital production and large format display graphics.

The business currently employs 22 staff and anticipates turnover of approximately £2.7 million for the current financial year, compared with £2.2 million in the previous year.

The purchase of the Rochester factory represents a significant step in the continued development of the business, providing a stable base for future investment, improved facilities and ongoing growth in the years ahead. It also gives the company a stronger foundation for supporting clients across commercial print, branded environments and display graphics with greater control over its production space and future planning.