“If you want to put your name up in lights then the guys at EcoSigns are the ones to speak to. Using quality AUSTRALIAN made products, a wealth of experience and a desire to create innovative signage products and techniques, EcoSigns has earned their reputation as one of the country’s premier providers of illuminated signage systems and lightboxes.”

Established in 2001, Ecosigns is the brain child of John Ferguson. John had previously worked for 30 years in the light manufacturing industry, designing and experimenting with various options to develop efficient light fittings. This gave John the experience and knowledge to develop a slim line light box with a different technology and design to all others. This level of expertise is one of the key points differentiating Ecosigns from their competitors. Especially when real insight is required to overcome technical challenges and innovate new solutions.

Initially John spent many hundreds of hours working in his garage designing and then experimenting with, various designs to achieve a differentiated and unique slim line light box. Traditionally slim light boxes used (and many still do) very thick acrylic that is not only heavy but also not ECO friendly. John finally came up with a design that maximised the light output whilst minimising power input and at the same time delivered an ECO friendly, lightweight and easy to install light box.

The early years in his garage and then into a small unit in Hornsby were tough as he was up against larger producers who had established customers. But the market eventually welcomed a new supplier who was innovative, technically clever and flexible.

John’s the type of guy who thrives on a challenge. The success and rewards that come with it are nice, but the real joy is in ‘building it better’ Supported by Peter Blackhall, Sales Manager and Matthew Gillan, Factory Manager, the company had the people and premises to continue their success.

John was able to build the business through some clever marketing. In addition, attendance at many trade shows in Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane helped to develop contacts that eventually turned into customers. One such prospective customer who visited the Ecosigns display at a trade show in Sydney has since become one of the company’s best customers as they work closely with David Jones stores. The company’s name also helped. “Ecosigns” name is easy to remember and hence a solid relationship is formed by a good reputation of quality work, and word of mouth from existing customers.

With all the company’s success and growth we asked John if there was anything about the industry that concerned him? “The greatest concern today for Australian sign manufactures is imported products from Asia, ” said John. “And with no tariff or protection, increasing volumes of imported products with cheaper labour and production costs are now actively involved in this market. There are quality issues with some as they do not comply with Australian Electrical Standards but customers still decide to take a risk by continuing to buy these products.”

Although now producing a range of standard sized light boxes, the company initially became well respected for its innovatively designed custom-made light boxes. The company name says it all——ECOnomical to use (fewer fluorescent tubes) and ECOlogically friendly (using less energy). The philosophy has always been to maximise light output but minimise the use of electricity.

Ecosigns moved to a new 600+sq/m factory in early 2010. The move is part of a 5year expansion plan to put in new machinery that will give the business a larger and more efficient production capacity to meet and exceed customers’ needs.

The business generates nearly all sales via third party customers, as Ecosigns does not have the sales team structure to handle business directly. “Our major customers are sign businesses both large and small, architects and designers and shop fitters, ” said John Ferguson, CEO, Ecosigns. The company’s lists of clients includes many of Australia’s most well-known businesses including David Jones, Angus & Coote, Michells Patiserrie, Virgin Mobile, Chanel, Donut King, Elizabeth Arden, Seafolly and many others.

As a company known for its innovative ideas, John and the team at Ecosign have been presented with many challenges to overcome. One that John remembers most was the designing and testing a new curved light box for fitting around columns. “This was a big challenge, ” said John. “But it is now so liked, that major retailers are looking to fit more and more columns with a curved light box thus maximizing the signage and promotions of key brands they sell.”

Curved light boxes is just one of the areas under development at Ecosigns. The company is investing in R&D to develop digital signage to produce video display/light box combo units in all formats. These include free-standing units, menu boards, hybrid light box/LCD screen units and custom made units where the light box surrounds the LCD screen.

In addition, energy input — how to maximise brightness at minimal electricity costs – is one area that always under constant development. The use of high-efficiency fluorescents lamps and energy efficient materials ensures that critical factors such as true vibrant colours on the graphic and energy efficient signs.

Today, the company provides a comprehensive range of illuminated displays and signage – everything you could need. No doubt that list will continue to grow.

Article copied with permission from Visual Impact Magazine, Jul/Aug 2011
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