Multi-award winning innovative Tasmanian print business Flying Colours has bought Saunders Signs, to enhance its rapidly growing statewide sign and display business, and is rebranding its entire business as Flying Colours Group.
As part of the rebrand company founder and well-known print identity Craig Pearce has handed over the managing director's reins to Matthew Lowe, who has been preparing for the role within the company for some time. Pearce, who started the business 25 years ago, will now take a key role within the group – which has offset, digital and large format print capabilities – as state sales manager.
Saunders Signs is based in Margate, Hobart, so giving the Flying Colours Group sign and display manufacturing in both the south and north of the state. All staff apart from the owner have been retained. Saunders is the second sign and display business acquired by Flying Colours, following its purchase of Doc Signs in Launceston 18 months ago. The Group had a purpose-built additional 1300sqm facility added to its Launceston site to bring Doc Signs in. Saunders will remain in Margate.
Matt Lowe said, “The Flying Colours brand has now changed. The Flying Colours Group now has its own brand and is the governing body for all three businesses; Flying Colours Printing, Doc Signs and Saunders Signs.
“Since purchasing Doc Signs in 2017 we have seen rapid growth. The addition of Saunders Signs now gives us large format print and signage installation from a statewide perspective. Saunders Signs and Doc Signs will now be co branded to become a statewide signage solution, with the head office in the north and an office in the south. All in all we have the whole state covered.”
Both locations will have full production facilities, including large format printing, as well as inhouse frame manufacturing. Craig Pearce said, “Clients welcome the Flying Colours Group having end-to-end production and manufacturing in house, which gives them knowledge that all the work is quality controlled and scheduled by Flying Colours.”
Pearce said, “The market has responded to Flying Colours having the ability to produce all their print and display needs, whether that is for a classic brochure or a shop display and everything in between. We made the decision to enter the sign and display business in order to provide clients with one point of contact for all their print and signage needs. Since then growth has exceeded our expectations, we are now the leading sign and supply printer in the state, as well as a major offset and digital printer.”
He reflected, “When I started the business we were printing letterheads and envelopes. Now we are virtual interior designers and large national installers, we have for instance just fitted out five bank branches in Queensland, where we have been involved from concept to execution.”