With a growth in demand for Applelec’s LED Light Sheet product, the new Totem modular freestanding sign range and the luxury illuminated letters, more space was essential and a suitable building was identified in the latter months of 2011.
Ian Drinkwater, Applelec Managing Director states: ‘The new Leeds factory provides us with the manufacturing space we have increasingly needed in recent months as demand for key products such as LED Light Sheet has continued alongside the range of products and sign manufacturing services we offer exclusively to the sign trade industry.’
The factory is now fully operational and staffed with ten skilled letter makers to offer an increased capacity for signage fabrication. Applelec’s automated return shaper, code name: Delilah, is located at the factory and is capable of forming returns of 20mm to 120mm used in the construction of built-up metal letters in seconds. The letter making machine is operated by a single member of staff reducing both the time and expense associated with the construction of built-up metal letters. A range of metals such as polished, brushed and de-scaled stainless steel or aluminium can be shaped by the machine.
Applelec’s newly appointed Business Development Manager, Andy Armitage explains: ‘The capabilities of the letter making machine are exceptional and has to be seen to be believed. We welcome visits to our factories in Bradford and Leeds, where the machine can be seen in action.’
The letter machine and traditionally skilled metal letter workers provide a strong balance of capabilities at the new factory, which features a variety of metal working equipment. The facilities at the factory are designed to deliver rapid turnaround on projects whilst the 8000 square foot floor space provides the required capacity for high volume roll outs and large scale projects.
The Leeds factory opening will be complimented by the development of Applelec’s Bradford manufacturing space which includes an expansion to the antistatic LED assembly facility and a new showroom. The clean room expansion provides a larger work space for the high volume of projects utilising LEDs now taking place at Applelec and ensures work takes place in a clean and dust free environment