Nuneaton Signs Ltd

Introduction:
Nuneaton Signs have a long history within the UK`s sign marketplace, renowned for its ability to survey, manufacture and install signage to a wide spectrum of clients in a variety of marketplaces.
From our inception in 1982, Nuneaton Signs was created a s a local authority sign manufacturer, we have strived to supply a complete service to local government, police forces and transport departments all over the UK supplying road signs and municipal signage to DLO`s and civil engineers for over 29 years. Alongside our extensive range of standard signs we have the ability to create bespoke sign solutions matching corporate specifications or using our in house design facility, giving you the benefit of years of experience and expertise.

About us:
Established in 1982 by Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton Signs was established in 1981, jointly sponsored by Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton & Bedworth Council for Voluntary Service, to provide meaningful employment for disabled people.

Since then Nuneaton Signs has grown into a sign making business employing 28 disabled people out of a total workforce of 48, all paid at the rate for the industry, and with an annual turnover of £2.6 million.

The funding arrangements for supporting disabled people in the workplace will change from October 2010. In May 2009 the Department of Work and Pensions gave assurance that grants for the 27 supported places presently provided in the factory will be protected for the next five years. Warwickshire County Council will no longer be involved in the funding process, being replaced by the Shaw Trust. The Council will not be permitted to subsidise supported employment beyond the level of the grant, so will not then be in a position to provide Nuneaton Signs with the guarantees or support hitherto provided.

Negotiations on future arrangements were protracted and complicated by the need to consult the Department of Work and Pensions, who had provided some initial support in the establishment of the sheltered workshop. It was finally agreed that Nuneaton Signs Limited would be established as a not for profit Company Limited By Guarantee, managed by a Board of up to six volunteer, non-remunerated non-executive Directors, one of whom should be Chairman, and up to four Executive Directors. The terms of lease of the factory from Warwickshire County Council were agreed, and the new company was incorporated on 29th March 2010.

Disabled workers usually arrive untrained for what is now a highly technical industry. The continuation of the Workshop grants (in future to be known as the Work Choice program) will enable us to continue to provide a comprehensive training program, in conjunction with local colleges of Further Education and other training organisations. So far employees have 42 NVQ’s mostly level 2 or above, and 79 other required licences or certificates of competence.

We are very proud of what we have achieved, taking the organisation from a small sheltered workshop, heavily dependent on national funding and considerable support from Warwickshire County Council, to a free standing company with a strong balance sheet, able to survive and prosper in the marketplace in these difficult times. Very few other formerly workshops have achieved this and, in contrast to Nuneaton Signs Limited, some are already struggling to survive. Our success is due to a skilled dedicated workforce and an expert and highly motivated management team.