Two Aussie Signwave shop owners and a business consultant have bought the master franchise rights for Australia from the American parent company.
Signwave franchisees, Leo Baker, owner of Signwave South Melbourne, and Dean Rowland, director of franchise development for Australia, and owner of Sydney’s Newtown store, have nine and 14 years experience respectively with the company, working for clients like McDonalds, the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, KFC and Australian Museums to a national level.
They will partner with Linda Sultmann, corporate management consultant and general manager at Signwave Australia, to grow the Australian franchise base and increase business and profit margins for current franchisees.
Baker says: “We love the industry and know the industry and believe the current economic climate is favourable for driving significant network growth in Australia.
“It’s also an opportune time for the right people as franchisees to stake a claim in the returns of the signage industry. We have proven the model and now want to share that experience with the group and new business owners,” he says.
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The trio seem eager to add to Signwave’s 18 Australian outlets, encouraging aspiring business owners to get into the industry even if they have no background in signs or printing.
Catherine Monson, chief executive of parents company Fastsigns International, says the acquisition will allow the leading Aussie franchisees to take charge in fostering the brand. Previously all communication had to go through the international headquarters.
“This acquisition allows the most advanced Signwave franchisees in Australia to foster the future potential of the brand in this region and further build on our leadership in the industry,” she says.
Having made a sizeable investment, Rowland says the partners are committed to the long term development of Signwave in Australia.
“We are confident, with our track records and understanding of the market and the huge amount of opportunities available, we can help grow the brand into an even stronger player both locally and globally,” he says.
“Signage company leaders don’t have to be sales kings to do well. It is more important to know how to work professionally with clients and staff to build loyalty,” he says.
“Skills such as printing, sign-making and business management can be taught. In fact, Signwave is an ideal business model for anyone looking to leave the corporate environment or for current print industry managers looking to make the transition to signage.
“The Signwave model of business to business gives owners the opportunity to maintain a balanced lifestyle with a nine to five, Monday to Friday investment of time while reaping the rewards of business ownership.”
Signwave has stores in Sydney, Newcastle, Perth, Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast. Each offers a range of sign and graphics services including floor and vehicle graphics, point of purchase and digital signs, labels and decals, architectural and interior décor signs, printing and related marketing services.
Signwave’s largest competitor, fellow franchise network Signarama, recently rebranded itself as a full service provider, and now has more than 90 stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and one Tasmanian franchise.
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