FEATURE
PRINTING A NEW FUTURE
Entrepreneurs – Stockton Bearings & Transmissions co-owners Martyn Semark and Pat Hodgers.
How SBT is redefining workwear
WORDS: PAUL FRASER PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH
For a business to not just survive but to thrive for more than three decades is a testament to its ability to adapt, and Stockton Bearings & Transmissions( SBT) has done just that.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the Teesside-based business recently marked its most successful two months – a feat achieved through a strategic investment in new technology that has boosted business.
Central to this success is the purchase of a direct-to-film( DTF) printer, which has enabled SBT to bring a previously outsourced service entirely in-house, transforming its workwear and PPE division.
This move has not only streamlined operations but also significantly improved service for customers.
Martyn Semark, co-owner of SBT, said:“ We used to outsource that side of the business. We had spent a lot of money in a short space of time and we needed to look at how we invested to become more cost-effective. We get much more control now following this investment.”
The DTF printer allows SBT to design and print custom logos and graphics onto a special film, which can then be heattransferred onto virtually any item – from work shirts and jackets to hard hats and high-vis vests. The result? Dramatically reduced lead times for customers.
Martyn said:“ If someone said they wanted 200 garments and we had outsourced that we could have been waiting weeks, whereas now it’ s here and we can get on with it straight away.
“ The lead time is cut down to a few days for big and small quantities, or even hours for smaller ones. It works better for us and for the customer.
“ We are improving our service to clients, and this is a brand new feature we want people to know about.”
This purchase is a clear example of SBT’ s commitment to providing a top-tier service.
112 | Tees Business