Who invented Polyester and the Sewing Machine? We did!

Yes, we did!

By that, I mean, Brits did.

The flying banner and other great products in the Expand A Sign range might have been conceived in Durban, SA, but the original wherewithal was most definitely supplied from this small, and as our comrades in SA continually point out to us, wet island.

My Mum had one like this!

 

The first sewing machine to combine all the elements of the 1700’s was a device built by English inventor John Fisher in 1844 for processing lace materials. Unfortunately, due to a cock-up filing Fisher's patent at the Patent Office, he didn’t receive due recognition for the modern sewing machine in the subsequent legal wrangles between two other American inventors (Singer and Howe). A theme that still has resonance today, but I mustn’t digress!

There was no legal dispute however when it came to Polyester.

 

Under a powerful microscope, obviously!

 

The first production and patent for a polyester fibre (they called it Terylene) was developed by the chemist John Whinfield and James Dickson in 1941.

But it doesn’t stop there with innovation.

At Expand A Sign, we’re still producing patented products, gaining design awards and are continuing to spend tens of thousands on product development. You might not know for example, unless I’ve already told you, that we weave and treat our own fabric (more patents) and employ a couple of bone fide Chemists full time for this particular part of our manufacturing process.

So, if you want to work with innovators and feel confident in your Branding Solutions, then give us a call and we’ll make sure your Brand stands out from the crowd.

 

And thanks Wikipedia for sharing too.

Can your Brand afford to buy cheap?

 

 

How is this helping the Brand?

 

"I'm fairly sure I can get that cheaper!" This is an exclamation we occasionally get. We had it more than occasionally at the height of the recession that the country seems to just be crawling out of. The consequences of actions based on this premise on Brand image are now becoming apparent.

To examine the circumstances of how we get to this type of exclamation we need to look at 2 things. The business driver’s for it and then the personalities behind it.

For the personalities, although there are grades from one end of the spectrum (not paying whatever you tell me even if it’s below what I’m willing to pay) through to the other (yep, that’s fine) the difficulties are at the former end of the spectrum but, more time, explanation and effort goes into the latter as people don’t want to abuse trust at this end! At the ‘won’t pay that’ end, then no explanation for the differences in pricing will win the day, even if not measuring like-for-like.

Both these personalities exist in Small companies and large corporations alike and, we all work for and with them all.

 

This is just not getting the Brand message across I'm afraid!

The business driver’s are a little different.

In the good times, that is any time not in recession, purchase decisions are made on quality, price and delivery. Delivery being not just a time issue but the going about it to make life easier for the client and the ability to get it right first time.

These are given, more or less, equal weighting.

So, in bad times, these weightings are changed so that quality is sacrificed at the Alter of price, and delivery is left alone (you might think). Clients like to kid themselves they’re getting exactly the same and will tell us so but we and, more importantly they, know this is not so!

If it were so, why would they come back to us when they can see good times ahead?

So, if the image of your Brand can afford to take a dip in the bad times, then please do buy cheap. If it can’t, then apply your own Brand values to the purchasing decision.

One of our longest standing Charity client's favourite phrases is “We can’t afford to buy cheap”. That’s a very strong statement when you’ve got a finite budget!

 

So if you want real Brand value for money, have a look at our banners and Branding Solutions.