Tuesday 16 July 2013

Digital Labelling Revolution!

Digital labelling revolution
When you sell a product that has to be distinguished from the next one on the shelf, your packaging is of utmost importance. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be flashy and eye-catching, it still has to do plenty of other stuff. For example, it has to convey brand at some point, otherwise your brand gets no recognition and swiftly dies a death. It also has to convey some kind of tone for the product, whether this is youthful or serious, playful or conservative, it all has to come together in the packaging. And right at the very heart of that packaging is the humble label. The manufacturer’s best friend, and the retailer’s only hope of having any variety in the display.
However, for what seems like centuries, printed labels were all the same, at least in the way they were made. You had to order a bucket load of them for a start, because they cost time and money to make. Printed label creators didn’t want to settle for a pitifully small order for the tiny company, to keep their costs under control they had to make in bulk and sell in bulk. Then, you had the fact that you would have to use different plates of different colours. And this was a pain for many manufacturers, who had to use a variety of colours or risk being ignored.

The digital revolution
 A revolution is taking place. Digital printing of labels means that the big headaches with traditional labels are wiped out with one fell swoop. And it seems like the biggest winner in the whole game is the small business. They no longer have to fork out for large orders and waste many of the labels they receive, because digital printing cuts down on the costs in a big way. Companies that create labels with this technology don’t need countless costly plates, and there are fewer costs involved with setting up the process. So there’s a win right there.
Digital labels are printed much faster because of the lack of need for plates. Everything is done in one go so that there is no costly period of picking out plates for colours etc. and then setting them up just doesn’t factor into it. And the printed labels themselves take less time to print so you have less labour time on your hand too. Fancy a quick time to market? No problem.
 Perhaps the biggest benefit to the manufacturer that uses digital labels is the high quality involved. The digital printed label is a beautiful thing, with crystal clear images and colours. This looks fantastic on a shelf and helps to distinguish your product from the rest of the ordinary stock to the left and right. This cannot be emphasised enough. Digital labelling makes for beautiful labelling, and this perhaps outweighs even the cost issue as a clear benefit.
Digital labelling is starting its own quiet revolution. We feel it will soon grow to a deafening roar. It’s cleaner, more cost effective and more beautiful to look at. A truly modern technology for a truly modern way of selling things.

Monday 22 April 2013

See the recent article in the Sunday Telegraph about us!

Goldman Sachs bank boss sticks with Stockport

A small business in Stockport producing adhesive tapes and labels wouldn't normally be on the radar of Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs.

A small business in Stockport producing adhesive tapes and labels wouldn't normally be on the radar of Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs.
Among those Mr Blankfein is hoping to meet is Andy Southern (pictured), the second-generation business owner of Windmill Tapes and Labels, and one of the first participants in the small business programme run by the US bank. 
But this week, the head of the global banking giant is coming to London to give his stamp of approval to a project supporting small businesses in the UK.
Among those Mr Blankfein is hoping to meet is Andy Southern, the second-generation business owner of Windmill Tapes and Labels, and one of the first participants in the small business programme run by the US bank.
Writing for The Sunday Telegraph with Lord Heseltine, Mr Blankfein says: "Small businesses such as Windmill Tapes and Labels play a vital role in driving growth and job creation in the UK. They already make a big contribution, but with the right help, can play an even bigger role."
Mr Blankfein says Goldman's scheme, 10,000 Small Businesses, began in America four years ago and launched here in 2010 in the Northwest, Yorkshire, the Midlands and London.
The programme is delivered by local experts – in Mr Southern's case, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School – and is aimed at giving leaders of SMEs the skills needed to drive growth.
"Even SMEs that do not grow can play a vital role in their local economies by providing important value-added services," Mr Blankfein writes.
The Goldman Sachs scheme has been designed to tap into existing regional networks and work with local partners to help to build "local entrepreneurial communities".
By the end of this year, 600 businesses will have completed the programme, which has already led to 77pc of participants creating new jobs and 66pc increasing sales.
For Windmill, the experience gained on the three-month course has been second to none, explains Mr Southern, who is pleased that the banking giant has time for a "tiny business like mine".
Southern says the course helped him to develop a robust business plan and strategy for growth, which included a vital acquisition and saw his workforce grow from 34 employees to 50.
Windmill is building a new factory for its growing labels business and plans further investment in digital printing equipment. Mr Southern also hopes to revamp its website.
"We developed an entirely new growth plan as a result of being on the course," says Mr Southern. "There was a module on business acquisition and we highlighted this route as a good way of growing."
In December 2011, just after Mr Southern completed the course, Windmill acquired Commercial Label Products, helping the company to expand by almost 50pc.
Mr Southern, 50, who started working for his father's business 25 years ago, said the course provided the "fresh impetus" he needed. "Twenty-five years is a long time to be doing this job – I personally needed a kick up the backside," he laughs.
He also says: "I discovered CSR (corporate social responsibility). I never even knew what it meant before I went on the course."
He now encourages his staff to volunteer for local charity and community events, not only to foster "team-building and bonding" but also to give them "a bit of a day off".

Wednesday 20 March 2013

New Building!

Work finally began on our new label production facility on Mackenzie Industrial Park last Monday after a 3 month delay (steel shortages apparently!) The new factory will open in September and will house all our label production machinery from both the existing Stockport and Congleton sights.
The factory will be split into 3 parts, digital, flexo & conversion in the middle and will be streamlined to ensure efficient workflow. New offices to house production, sales and admin are also planned and the main Windmill office will move to the new building. The plan for the whole business is that we will have two separate cost centres for tapes & labels with tape production continuing at the Unit 6 factory.
With a lot of the focus on labels we are not neglecting the tape side of our business. We have seen some growth in this area since the turn of the year and key staff members intend to stay at Unit 6 to ensure we continue to develop & grow in the adhesive tape market.

Thursday 3 January 2013

JANUARY PRINTED TAPE SALE

We recognise business can be a little slow in January and in order to help you drum up some additional business we are re-running our successful free artwork promotion for the month of January.

Free artwork for all printed tape jobs irrespective of the number of colours for all orders of 144 rolls and above.
Offer last until the end of Jan







Tuesday 27 November 2012

New lorry hits the road.

Here's a photo of our new 40 footer!! You'll see this round and about the North West!


Wednesday 7 November 2012

QR CODES

QR (Quick Response) Codes are like a barcode. The difference now, is smartphones can now read the barcodes and perform certain functions, like allowing someone to add contact information or visit a website on their phone. They are an alternative way to get text into the phone so someone doesn’t have to manually type it out. They bridge the gap between the real world and the digital world. They allow your customers to interact and engage with your brand on a very personal device which they have with them at nearly all times.

How they can benefit you:
They will educate your customers about your products or your business by simply scanning the QR code. It provides immediate information that will engage them about your product.
What would you like your customers to know when they scan the bar code:
This information can be scanned and then pulled up at a later date. It keeps consumers informed and involved in your business and if they are trying to recall the product they purchased, it is right there on their smartphone.

Wednesday 31 October 2012

Go digital

You are probably aware that digital printing provides high quality labels that rival lithographic printing, excellent print-to-print registration and exact replication – from the first label in your run, to the last. But aside from the quality of digital printing, there are many ways it makes economic sense.
Digital printing provides faster print speeds and reduced lead times than traditional printing methods. There are no plate prep charges when you choose digital printing,
and you have the option to combine multiple same-size label varieties or designs to achieve a lower overall unit label price point.
Windmill Labels offer options through digital printing not economically viable with lithographic printing. If you need labels printed with barcodes, sequential numbering or variable data – from serialization to full personalization for special occasions – digital is the choice that makes sense.
Digital technology accepts a wide variety of paper stocks and films. You can enhance your printed labels with foil stamping, embossing and consecutive numbering – for limited production vintage.
Digital printing’s versatility, speed and precision are key factors for our clients when they need high quality labels in medium quantities to runs as few as 500 labels at a time.