Spandoeken Centrale Nederland offers extensive product range with Mimaki
Keeping It in the Family
Spandoeken Centrale Nederland has been a prominent
When he became fifty Doeije Attema decided to start all over again, this time working for himself. Even though Spandoeken Centrale Nederland was launched fifteen years ago, to him it still feels as though it happened yesterday. In previous years he had been working in the foil trade and was, amongst other things, a representative in Germany and the Netherlands for the Italian manufacturer Apa Spa. “Eventually I was selling a large number of banners also manufactured in Italy.” From rented premises in Enschede, Doeije and his wife Jannie, who managed the accounts, ran Spandoeken Centrale Nederland offering their services direct to the sign market. Attema comments: “Using a welding machine copied from Italy we were able to apply edging to single 50 m lengths between 60 and 120 cm wide. In those days we were the only ones who could do this. It didn’t matter whether the order was for ten or fifty banners. Providing we received the order before 12.00 hrs it would be delivered the next day.” Son Dave, who joined the company a year later comments as follows: “Short turnaround times are still our main strength.”
Family concern
Own printers
We decided to change course and invested in two digital Mimaki JV33 solvent printers (1.60 and 2.60 m wide). Spandoeken Centrale is now in a position not only to produce blank banner material, but also to supply full colour banners to sign makers. Dave relates: “We are still a production company acting as a supplier. Sign makers able to print 1.30 or 1.60 m themselves, can rely on us for 2.60 m formats. We also print stickers and flags. Our prices are competitive but we are not operating at the lower end of the market. There is a limit. If you want to deliver quality and service you need a specific margin.” Marjolein adds: “This strategy is paying dividends. Fortunately we have many loyal customers who recognise and appreciate this. Personal contact is important. In the unlikely event of something going wrong, we immediately try and solve the problem.” Meanwhile approximately 70 to 80 % of our turnover is generated by front lit full colour and mesh. “We also have the expertise to offer double sided printing, for example on 840g Bisonyl canvas in block-out quality, i.e. for oblique building flags.”
Extensive product range
Spandoeken Centrale Nederland also aims to stand out from the crowd with its extensive product range. Freestanding tensioning systems, blind frames, canvases (blank or printed), LED lighting systems and many other accessories. “We offer everything associated with banners under one roof”, says Dave. “The sign maker uses his creativity and we produce it. Where necessary we can provide expert advice and arrange the installation. And we continue to expand our product range.” Dave relates: “Many customers don’t even know how much we have to offer. We intend to change this, hence my presence on the road two days a week. Personal contact is the key and I have many more ideas.”