Published at 08:17, Friday, 30 July 2010

A Cumbrian printing company has created nearly 30 jobs after clinching a number of new contracts.

And a third of the new posts with AstSigns will be at the firm’s Penrith headquarters and its sister site in Carlisle.

The remainder of the jobs will be for fitters work with the company’s customers nationwide.

AstSigns, founded by Cumbrian businessman Mark Aston seven years ago, creates the graphics that “wrap” branding around vehicles, creating their look.

Its latest contract was this week described as a “significant” deal with delivery firm Yodel which will see the firm apply vinyl vehicle wrap livery to its fleet.

Mr Aston said: “We’ve clinched a few major contracts this year and the new positions will help bolster our already highly-skilled workforce. Fleet operators are starting to recognise the many benefits of wrapping their vehicles – from branding advantages to increasing their vehicle’s residual value.

“Our experience of wrapping fleets with a diverse variety of vehicles will allow us to provide a high-quality, focussed and efficient service to our customers.”

AstSigns already boasts a string of high-profile clients, including Cumbrian transport giant Eddie Stobart, Cockermouth based M-Sport and Carlisle company Direct Rail Services, as well as international firms Shell, Santander and MAN trucks.

The company, one of the UK’s fastest-growing in its field, is the current Sign Industry Awards Business of the Year and has received accolades for its work with Stobart.

Its staff have completed contracts for other major logistics firms including DHL, Parcelforce, Tesco and Hoyer and “wrapped” everything from trucks and trailers to vans, trains, cars and coaches.

Mr Aston’s team, who have worked with specialist firms 3M and Avery to create a system that protects paintwork from scratches, scrapes and stone chips, say vehicle wrapping gives firms “excellent branding opportunities coupled with financial and fleet operational benefits”.

They place the artwork on top of vehicles, a process that can be completed in a day. Wraps can be quickly removed as well.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk