Our chief at the helm (and on the road)
We’re kicking off the new year by chatting to our managing director, Joe Derbyshire, a man busier than the Tasmanian Devil. Already en route to Scotland, we managed to steal five minutes of his time in the van.
So Joe, where are you headed today?
Cammy and I are about 45 minutes out from our first stop in Edinburgh. We’ve got three different jobs on today, so I’m looking forward to getting on site for the first one shortly.
How did you wind up with a career in signage?
While I’ve always enjoyed having a hands-on job, it wasn’t something I ever planned to do; I fell into it.
I trained to be a chef, though my brother had a small signage company where I’d worked a Saturday job. Stacked with all sorts of tools and materials, it was like an Aladdin’s Cave to me. One day, as a 19-year-old lad, I dropped in on him after an interview at a restaurant. I watched him set up a state-of-the-art (at the time) computer for cutting out graphics and from that moment I was hooked.
I’m 54 now and have been making signs instead of scallops ever since.
What did growing a business with your brother teach you?
Where do I start!
Building a company up from its beginnings meant I got involved with everything. From painting boards and sign writing to screen printing and computerised design, we brought in the latest technology and with each evolution, the business grew and transformed.
I learnt every aspect of how to physically and structurally make signs work, plus how to fit them safely and most importantly of all, how to make sure your client was happy.
Do you have a highlight from your time there?
In 2001 we won the contract to produce all the graphics for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. It completely changed things for us. We took on and trained up people who were unemployed at the time to build a temporary team that would help us deliver the Games. We put a 24-hour operation in place to rig up, de-rig and re-rig hundreds of signs across multiple sports venues throughout the course of the Games.
Then, when MCFC moved into the stadium after the Games, we won the contract to produce the huge neon sign to compete with MUFC’s infamous sign at its stadium.
This was a key moment for us, and we grew the business quickly, growing to around 50 in the space of a couple of years.
Why did you set up SPI?
I’ve always believed in right job, right time, right price, right quality. We wanted to get back to a place where the personal client relationships are the absolute focus in what we do – which can sometimes get lost in the machine of big businesses.
We’ve instilled a mantra of less politics, more “can do”.
The business has grown quickly, and I believe it’s because of that ethic.
How do you help oil the SPI machine?
We’re a well-rounded team with the right skill set, and everyone mucks in to get the job done. That’s my approach, too. I’m involved in every aspect.
My skills come into their own on construction sites, where I’ve got plenty of experience of dealing with ground works and working with structural engineers and site managers. When we deliver an order, it’s me that our customers see on site, not only overseeing things, but getting my hands dirty with the work.
What’s the best thing about your line of work?
I’m still learning new skills at my age.
There are so many different aspects to our work, there’s always something else to aim for to up my game. Just yesterday I was looking into obtaining a Roadworks Certificate so that we can add another qualification to the team’s skill set.
What’s the trickiest bit of the job?
People probably expect me to say the amount of travelling I do. Last year we clocked 64,000 miles in the van, and the longest journey in one sitting was our 7-hour trek to Inverness. But I like getting about and seeing all these places.
Yes, it’s hard work. But hard work is good for you, isn’t it.
What keeps you busy in your spare time?
I’m pretty sociable, love football, cooking and travelling. I’m heading to Thailand soon for a couple of weeks – I think it’ll be the longest holiday I’ve had since I was about 18.
My latest hobby, though, is my allotment. At this time of year the focus is on digging it all over and laying manure, but when spring comes around, I’ll start growing produce again. Although, let’s be honest, its main attraction is the decking for catching some sun.
