The latest BSGA Sign Surgery brought together a wealth of experience, candid conversation, and practical insight as industry professionals gathered online to explore the real-world challenges faced by sign-makers and the solutions that might support them.
Central to this month’s discussion was a thoughtful question posed by Tony Wills of Button-fix, a panel fixing manufacturer whose products, originally developed for washrooms and acoustic panels, are increasingly being adopted by sign-makers.
“We’re seeing our fixings being used in signage,” explained Tony, “but because we sell exclusively through distributors, we rarely see how they’re actually applied. We want to understand the practical challenges fitters face so our design team can develop products that truly meet their needs.”
The conversation that followed was wide-ranging, informative, and at times surprising.
Craig Brown, BSGA Chairman, recalled the industry recognition Button-fix had already received: “Your product was actually named Product of the Year; it made quite an impression.” Tony confirmed that the award had opened doors in the signage market, even attracting a large US signage firm to their customer base. But he reiterated the knowledge gap that prompted his question: “As a designer, I’ve never fitted a sign. I was trained on the bench, making things. If we want to design better products, we need to hear directly from those who install them.”
While some attendees had assumed the product was best suited to small decorative panels, Tony’s clarification on its capacity caught attention: “Our Type 1 fixing will fail at over 300 kilos, so it’s perfectly capable of supporting large panels. But education is key.”
That point was echoed by Craig: “We’re not here to promote specific suppliers. Our role as a trade association is to share best practices and help members make informed decisions. If a product is being underused because it’s misunderstood, we need to address that.”
Indeed, misconceptions were a recurring theme. One attendee remarked: “I’ve been in the industry since 1984, and I knew Button-fix had won an award. But I always thought of it as a hidden fixing for lightweight signage, definitely not for anything substantial.” Judging by reactions across the group, he wasn’t alone.
The question of external use was also raised. While Button-fix does not warrant its products for outdoor applications due to liability constraints, Tony acknowledged: “We know fitters use them externally all the time. But again, we don’t know exactly how they do it, or what issues they might encounter. That’s why we’re here – to listen.”
From there, the discussion broadened to include the ongoing debate around fixings in general, particularly the reliability of adhesives versus mechanical solutions. Craig referenced a previous session with Innova, where concerns were raised about surface preparation and warranty risks with adhesives.
Tony noted that Button-fix takes product failure seriously: “All our products are tested rigorously. When I say it breaks at 300 kilos, I mean the screws fail before the fixing does.”
Others offered their own perspectives. “For flush fixing, we rely on pre-mounted VHB tape. It hasn’t failed us in 10 years. But learning that Button-fix can support much larger items is genuinely useful. That’s new knowledge we can act on.”
Education was a recurring theme throughout the session. Linda Edwards, BSGA Managing Director, underscored its importance: “I wholeheartedly support the idea of educating our industry. An online session focused specifically on installation and fixings could be a great next step, and if interest is strong, we can consider taking it further.”
Tony was quick to agree. “We’d love to be part of that. We’re also about to launch four new products, some of which may well be suitable for signage. So watch this space; by September, they’ll be hitting the market.”
The latter half of the session turned to site-specific safety concerns, most notably, the dangers of working near overhead power cables and pylons. One member had contacted the BSGA after receiving a quote in excess of £12,000 just to have power shut off temporarily. Craig emphasised the association’s role in supporting members through such situations: “Sometimes, you just need a sounding board to feel reassured that what you’re doing is right. That’s what we’re here for.”
Finally, the group touched on staffing and productivity, particularly in light of rising employment costs. Tony offered a perspective drawn from his own company: “We’ve improved quality of life for our team by introducing flex time. We don’t micromanage. We tell people what needs to be done and let them organise themselves. They value the freedom and they deliver.”
As the session drew to a close, it was clear that the Sign Surgery continues to be a vital forum for shared learning and mutual support. Whether discussing product development, site safety, or workplace wellbeing, the spirit of the event remained clear: real conversations from real professionals working together to improve the industry one question at a time.