Hi All

[Centro]

Good Morning Everyone,

First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a propose New Year.

I thought I would post a few words of introduction. My name is Tony and I am located in Aldridge in the West Midlands.

After 35 years in engineering I was made redundent from a global company (my choice) and now want to do something completely different.

I have decided to setup a small framing company ( ) I can hear you all saying idiot !!!! I have for the past few months been reviewing the market and my objectives. I am a little bit of a perfectionist I'm sorry to say but this steams from my background.

I have been putting a lot of effort into my website and marketing ready for this to go live maybe end of January.

This forum has a wealth of experience and if you don't mind I would like to call on you all for help in the coming months and years good or bad I am always open to ideas / experience and maybe this may benefit us all.

My next task in the next few weeks will be equipment. I have decided to buy the majority of second hand where I can as I have found that the majority of equipment has also come from like minded people who look after and cherish there tools. The framing industry has changed very little apart from the introduction of CMC which is most certainly top of my purchase list. Apart from that I am open to all other suggestions.

So, I would like to again wish you a Happy and propose New Year and look forward to building a strong relationship with you all and hopefully you helping and guild me though the maze of the framing business.

Kind Regards
Tony

[Jamesnkr]

So you've spent a few months building a website and doing some marketing, without making a single frame - nor even having the equipment to do so - let alone the knowledge. I might have done it the other way round... make a few frames for yourself, for friends and family - cheap - and then start the fancy website etc.

Anyway, you need a pneumatic (optional, foot-operated will do, but most people eventually end up pneumatic) underpinner; a morso guillotine and a mount cutter. And a large room in which to make frames.

I guess from the name of your company you're planning on the cheap and cheerful end of the market; don't be suckered into buying miles of moulding that you will never use.

I suggest reading every post on this forum back to day 1.

[prospero]

Welcome Centro.

Rest assured, whatever screw-ups you make there will be someone here who has done the same
and will only be too pleased to tell you where you went wrong.

Remember, The only silly questions are the ones you don't ask.

[Not your average framer]

I am a little bit of a perfectionist I'm sorry to say but this steams from my background.

Don't apologise for being a perfectionist, that's good. Like you, I am an ex-engineer, so I'm the same. Once an engineer, also an engineer (at least in attitude and thinking. Nice to have you join our happy band.

[poliopete]

Welcome Centro to the FF

Best of luck with your new framing venture.

Peter.

[red]

welcome

the advice on making frames first stop on. Charity shops
have lots of old frames,there will be lots in the back room
they cant sell. take them to pieces and reassemble making
smaller, you will gain lots of skills good luck.

[Keith Hewitt]

the introduction of CMC which is most certainly top of my purchase list. Tony

Am I alone in asking/wondering why a CMC is top of your purchase list

[Centro]

Hi

Happy New Year and thanks for the comments.

So you've spent a few months building a website and doing some marketing, without making a single frame - nor even having the equipment to do so - let alone the knowledge. I might have done it the other way round... make a few frames for yourself, for friends and family - cheap - and then start the fancy website etc.

Anyway, you need a pneumatic (optional, foot-operated will do, but most people eventually end up pneumatic) underpinner; a morso guillotine and a mount cutter. And a large room in which to make frames.

I guess from the name of your company you're planning on the cheap and cheerful end of the market; don't be suckered into buying miles of moulding that you will never use.

I suggest reading every post on this forum back to day 1.

Hi James
No, I have been DIY framing for about 5 years manly with precision mitre saws ect. but now time to take this to the next level in a more professional capacity. I have two company names..... Framing Direct Ltd and Framing Graphics Ltd they will concentrate on different ares in there own right.

[Centro]

Welcome Centro.

Rest assured, whatever screw-ups you make there will be someone here who has done the same
and will only be too pleased to tell you where you went wrong.

Remember, The only silly questions are the ones you don't ask.

Thanks Prospero I wouldn't expect anything less

[Centro]

I am a little bit of a perfectionist I'm sorry to say but this steams from my background.

Thanks ..... its nice to hear of fellow engineers ..... we can talk about Nano measurement scales later

[Centro]

Welcome Centro to the FF

Best of luck with your new framing venture.

Peter.

Hi Peter .... thanks looking forward to 2018 and its challenges.

[Centro]

welcome

the advice on making frames first stop on. Charity shops
have lots of old frames,there will be lots in the back room
they cant sell. take them to pieces and reassemble making
smaller, you will gain lots of skills good luck.

Thanks Red thats a great idea....

[Centro]

the introduction of CMC which is most certainly top of my purchase list. Tony

Am I alone in asking/wondering why a CMC is top of your purchase list [/quote]

Hi Keith

Thank you for your comment. I have worked over the last 30 years with a lot of F1 teams and some high profile manufacturing companies and in talking with them about my new venture I have identified a small market for very specialist pictures for presentations to sponsors and engineers and companies.

These mounts could only be cut on a CMC. I had thought about building one but really need to concentrate my efforts on the business.

Again I would value your comments.

Tony

[Claim to Frame]

Welcome to the forum,

If you are seriously looking at a CMC, I would suggest contacting Sarah at Gunnar.

Having purchased a refurbished CMC, you cant go far wrong, and the service is absolutely great.

A bonus for you, they are based (or were) in Birmingham too!

[Keith Hewitt]

Tony.

Apologies !
Your first post told us so little about your target market. It just came across as a newbie entering the framing market.
Now you have told us about your target market ... F1 teams + high profile manufacturing companies.... you appear to have a niche market,
and rich source of potential customers.

I wish you every success and we all look forward to following your future growth.

[Centro]

Welcome to the forum,

If you are seriously looking at a CMC, I would suggest contacting Sarah at Gunnar.

Having purchased a refurbished CMC, you cant go far wrong, and the service is absolutely great.

A bonus for you, they are based (or were) in Birmingham too!

Good Morning thanks for the comments.

Yes I am already in contact with Sarah and looking at all possibilities.

Thanks

[Centro]

Tony.

Apologies !
Your first post told us so little about your target market. It just came across as a newbie entering the framing market.
Now you have told us about your target market ... F1 teams + high profile manufacturing companies.... you appear to have a niche market,
and rich source of potential customers.

I wish you every success and we all look forward to following your future growth.

Hi Keith,

No apologies necessary compared with you all I am a very Newbie so all comments are greatly received.

I understand that all new business ventures are difficult and takes time and continued effort and lots of help and guidance from people who know which is where I hope to rely on the peps in this excellent informative forum.

Thanks again and please comment away good or bad.

Tony

[Jamesnkr]

I have two company names..... Framing Direct Ltd and Framing Graphics Ltd they will concentrate on different ares in there own right.

You may well know this but it's perfectly possible for one company to have two trading names, you don't actually need to have two companies. Halve the amount you pay to your accountant.

So for your brand Framing Direct you would just write: Framing Direct is a trading name of Framing Graphics Limited, a company registered in England and Wales...