A Service-Led, Father-Son Business
A father and son with unique backgrounds in motor racing and small business management are among the newest FASTSIGNS® franchisees in the U.K. Trevor Davies, who previously owned a food industry company, and his son, Mark, a racing driver for Renault Sport U.K., opened a new FASTSIGNS® centre in Huddersfield in spring 2005.
The Davies decided to locate their centre in Huddersfield
“because of the outstanding commercial and residential growth in the area,” explains Trevor Davies.
“We wanted a service-led business that would utilise our skills in an exciting, growing industry.”
The elder Davies, who brings 25 years of business ownership experience to the centre, previously owned GB Bakery Supplies. Mark Davies raced for the ELF Renault Clio Cup, which sports enthusiasts say is watched every race weekend by the U.K.’s biggest motor sport crowds. The Clio Cup is considered to be a proving ground for drivers aiming to graduate to Touring Car racing.
Given the younger Davies’ background, it is not surprising that the Huddersfield centre offers race team vehicle graphics as one of its specialty services.
“We also have the latest digital sign-making technology in 
our centre, and can do full colour graphics, large-format signs and graphics, trade show exhibitions, exterior and interior signs, vehicle graphics and a host of other kinds of signs and graphics,” Trevor says.
Open less than a year, the Davies’ centre already is operating ahead of plan in terms of sales, due in part, the father and son say, to the support they receive from FASTSIGNS International, Inc. They also attribute their success to an ability to work well together, and to a good division of responsibilities in the centre. Trevor handles sales and marketing operations, while Mark works in design production and general management.
“We’ve developed a great system that plays to our individual strengths,” says Mark.
“My dad and I knew that working together potentially could have its challenges, but so far, everything is working far better than we had ever hoped,” he adds.
