Only a stone's throw from the M74, the staff of Owen Pilling Graphics are used to seeing their handiwork roar past them...
As the fleet vehicle graphics supplier to household names such as Tesco, Barr’s and Wisemans, their work is regularly seen on the sides of lorries and vans all over Britain.
The company, which is based in Lesmahagow’s Milton Industrial Estate, was set up five years ago by Clydesdale man, Owen Pilling, and his wife, Janet.
Owen said: “After 12 years in the trade I found myself out of a job, but instead of letting it get me down, I decided to be positive and set up my own business.”
What initially seemed like a bad news story for the Pillings turned into something far better than they ever imagined. Initially setting up in a workshop adjoining their house, the husband and wife team built up the business until they were literally bursting at the seams.
Said Owen: “We based the company in the workshop for around four-and-a-half years, but it was very cramped and the business was growing all the time. Due to the demand from our customers and because we need a lot of space, we decided it was time for a move.”
The company, which now employs 11 staff, produces amongst other things large full colour graphics for the sides of lorries, so their new home had to be able to cope with large scale projects.
The Pillings also wanted to continue working in Clydesdale.
With assistance from South Lanarkshire Economic Development and Clydesdale Development Company, which has been involved with Owen Pilling Graphics since the company was established, they found new premises within Milton Industrial Estate and with the help of partnership support, including a £12,715 grant from the South Lanarkshire Business Venture Fund, were able to upgrade and adapt the property to suit.
“The grant has allowed us to renovate what was essentially a big shed into the type of working area the business needs,” said Owen. “The unit has the space we need and, importantly, it is very close to the M74.”
Chris Parkin, general manger of Clydesdale Development Company, said: “Owen Pilling Graphics is a local success story. They have grown from a small start-up business to a major company winning contracts throughout the UK. The company are now committed to working towards Investors in People and this will provide the structure for their continued development and growth.”
Apart from designing graphics and printing their own visuals, staff also apply them to the vehicles. They have a new indoor facility which keeps the lorry or van at the correct temperature to allow them to fit the graphics on to the side of the vehicle.
“We produce all sizes of vehicle graphics right up to the huge full colour panels for lorries. Our customers come from all over Britain, from Cornwall right up to the north of Scotland, and deal with many different types of companies, including many local businesses.”
With business growing all the time, the move to the Milton Industrial Estate has come at the right time for the Pillings. Orders are coming in from all over and the future is looking bright for the Lesmahagow firm.....they are just ‘pilling’ in the business!
If like Owen Pilling Graphics your company is growing and requires to relocate or extend or improve its premises, contact the South Lanarkshire Economic Development team on 01698 455144 or your local Small Business Gateway.
- Hamilton: 01698 429425
- Lanark: 01555 665064
- East Kilbride: 01355 238456
- Rutherglen & Cambuslang: 0141 613 4800
For existing businesses in the manufacturing sector of companies who support manufacture, the Property Improvement Grant element of South Lanarkshire Business Venture Fund may help you to achieve your planning business growth.
The South Lanarkshire Business Fund is managed for South Lanarkshire Economic Development (SLED) and its partners by South Lanarkshire Enterprise Trusts. It is funded by South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire’s Enterprise Trusts, Hamilton Business Development Loan Fund, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, the Bank of Scotland and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Business South Lanarkshire - Summer 2000