Fastsigns UK open their 24th national branch in Solihull, led by former infrastructure project manager Farooq Wani
Signage network Fastsigns UK have expanded their West Midlands presence with the opening of a 24th national branch in Solihull. Located on the Kings Norton Trading Estate, the new production facility will supply visual communications, exhibition graphics and structural signage across South Birmingham, Redditch, Longbridge and Worcester.
Local entrepreneur Farooq Wani is leading the venture following a five-year stint scaling a dual-territory franchise within the commercial food sector. Wani also brings substantial engineering and technical project management experience to the business, having previously overseen heavy infrastructure developments for global firms including Balfour Beatty and Siemens in the Middle East. He will operate the Solihull territory alongside an internal team of design, production and sales specialists.
The new workshop has been fitted with a suite of high-production machinery to handle commercial contracts across the healthcare, construction and education sectors. The industrial hardware line-up features an Epson S9100 wide-format printer, a Mimaki plotter and laminator system, and a specialised Roll-Over applicator table for flatbed assembly work.
Wani said, ‘After selling my previous franchise, I was looking for a new challenge that gave me the chance to combine my background in technical project management, with my franchise experience. FASTSIGNS UK presented me with that very opportunity. While the brand already has a strong legacy in the area, the scale of economic growth here means there’s ample opportunity for a new, independent centre to thrive. Opening in Solihull allows us to strategically expand and support key sectors right across Solihull and the southern communities of the Midlands.’
The launch marks the second dedicated facility for the franchise network within the West Midlands county. Group management expect the diverse industrial landscape of the territory to drive strong immediate demand for architectural, safety and promotional graphics.
John Davies, Managing Director of Fastsigns UK, added, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Farooq to the Fastsigns network. His extensive background in project management and proven track record in franchising make him the ideal leader to take forward our second location in Birmingham. The West Midlands is an economic powerhouse with a really diverse commercial landscape, spanning education, construction and manufacturing, among others, providing us with so many opportunities to make a real impact among our business community.’