Member Profile - Andy Fryer - Easy Signs 
Easy Signs is a member of FESPA Australia. It was a pleasure to catch up with Andy Fryer, Director, where we learnt more about the company, its history and its plans for the future. As a 100% Australian privately owned and operated business, they have been continually investing in the latest state of the art machinery to ensure that they supply consistent, high-quality products to the Australian market.
Easy Signs is located in Smeaton Grange, NSW (about 50 minutes southwest of the Sydney CBD). They manufacture an extensive range of digitally printed signage using the latest technology, large-format and UV flatbed digital printers.
Can you let us know what attracted you to the printing industry?
"After establishing an entirely different business in a much smaller market, my business partners and I were looking for a new challenge. Next door to our warehouse was a small sign shop. We came to know the person running it quite well and gained insights into the industry over a couple of years. We saw huge potential in an industry in the early stages of adopting an internet-based sales channel and decided to invest in a new business with him that we felt we could grow quickly.
Can you tell us about your company and why you like working there?
"Easy Signs started back in 2006; we purely sell our products via our website and now have a team of 90+ people with an 8700m2 manufacturing facility. We live and breathe innovation, which makes it a really exciting place to work. Everyday, we work on how we can manufacture products faster with higher quality while maintaining low prices for our customers. I get to work with amazing people in a variety of teams on solving these challenges. We have an amazing team culture which we have developed over time, and it makes it enjoyable turning up to work each day.
How do you define success?
"Our customer reviews are our measure of success. A customer taking the time to leave a glowing review online is an indicator to us that all areas of the business are excelling, from our website experience, customer service and graphic design, through to production. We have a very strong customer-centric culture throughout our entire business and have always believed that if we can provide our customers with an exceptional experience, then growth will follow.
How has the challenges of COVID changed the way you now operate?
"We are lucky in the way that we don't have sales reps or installers out on the road. Our IT infrastructure has been set up in a way that our customer service and graphic design teams were able to take their phones and computers home and be up and running just like they were still in the office. With the current lockdowns in Sydney, most of our office team is working at home again. We have implemented solutions to ensure compliance with government regulations in the factory, and we focus on social distancing and hygiene.
What has been your most memorable printing/career moment?
"There have been many memorable moments; however, one of the most memorable would have to be winning the Australian Financial Review's award for the Most Innovative manufacturing company in Australia for 2019. On the awards night, we knew we would be in the top 10 as we were invited to the dinner, however as the countdown got closer to the winner, I really started to wonder if we had been invited by accident as I thought there was no chance we would win. We were extremely proud to have won; it was a great recognition of the amazing effort by our entire team.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself outside of working at Easy Signs?
"I have two young boys that keep my wife and I nice and busy. I am still attempting to play soccer in an over 35's team, and I'm a geek that enjoys learning about IT & software engineering (as well as a little bit of gaming) in my spare time.
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