UK Print Franchise Makes a Difference: Minuteman Press Owner Keith Boyce Meets Sales Targets for the Second Straight Year in 2015, Grows His Small Business and Gives Back
KINGS LYNN, England (PRWEB) January 27, 2016 -- Minuteman Press franchise owner Keith Boyce has grown his business through hard work and key decisions. His UK print franchise located in the small historic town of Kings Lynn, England, has met its sales targets for 2015. This is the second consecutive year Boyce’s business goals were met, something he accomplished by making sure he had the right employees, the best equipment for his production needs, solid business partnerships and an automated workflow system that enables him to offer fast turnaround for his clients. Keith and his wife Paula also pride themselves on giving back to the community that has helped them build their business, by being active in local organizations that promote charitable efforts for good causes.
From applying lessons learned in training and making important production decisions to meeting sales goals and giving back, these are Keith Boyce’s key insights and how he’s made a difference in Kings Lynn with his UK print franchise.
Why franchising?
Keith and Paula Boyce’s Minuteman Press franchise in Kings Lynn is a business services provider that offers digital print, design and marketing services while providing excellent quality and service. “We opened our center in December 2004 after attending Minuteman Press training school in October. The business is owned by me and my wife Paula. Today, we employ five people and our team is a mixture of graduates and time served apprentices.”
Keith Boyce worked in the print industry on the production side. As production director for a commercial lithographic and digital printing company, Keith knew about the industry but did not know how to go about running his own business. “In 2004, I was seeking a new challenge,” says Boyce. “Both Paula and I wanted to pursue the challenge of running our own business. We felt that a franchise business would be good for us as we both had little experience with direct selling or marketing.”
As they came to the decision to franchise, Keith decided to stick with an industry he was familiar with. He and Paula came across Minuteman Press at a local franchise exhibition. Keith recalls, “The Minuteman team gave some compelling reasons to select Minuteman over other UK print franchises. The primary reason for selection was the ability of Minuteman Press to fast track us into a market place that we both knew little about. I understood the manufacturing process, but not the market place dynamics.”
With Minuteman Press, Keith and Paula were able to find that combination of support and flexibility that they were looking for: “Support was important to us early on but not the key reason. We needed to own a business that we could make our own, that comfort of knowing help was available if we needed it but also a partner that would allow us to make the business what we wanted it to be.”
Flash forward to 2016, and Keith and Paula still see the benefits of franchising. “It’s probably now less about direct support and more about sharing best practice, ideas and improvements that quite probably would get neglected if we were not supported by Minuteman. The fact that key suppliers are more accountable because of global relationships that Minuteman Press International has with them, that’s huge.”
Setting and Meeting Business Goals
“Every year, we love being able to reflect back on how much we have improved the business,” says Keith. This year, he is especially excited to look ahead because his business just met his sales target for the second straight year.
Setting and meeting business goals isn’t easy, but it’s something that Keith prides himself on. In 2011, his Minuteman Press center relocated to an industrial park, and his focus turned to doubling the size of the business in three years and investing in significant upgrades that would help him achieve his goals. “Our reason behind this was we needed to build a business that could more robustly maintain high levels of customer service in turn help us have a sustainable profitable business.”
With the business relocation complete, 2012 became a year for Keith to invest in new equipment that would enable him to optimize production and workflow to his liking. “Following the relocation, we disposed of our lithographic press and made an investment in our first Xerox 1000 digital press, Duplo trimmer and Duplo booklet maker. This allowed us to introduce new products and services to existing and new customers.”
“Today,” he continues, “98% of the products we sell are made in-house, and the business works hard to maintain the highest level of customer service. We strive for a lead time of less than 24 hours on all jobs and this has been only possible with the support of our key partners. Our workflow is highly automated, and this year we will have introduced complete automation from web to finished product.”
“Keith and Paula Boyce have built a tremendous presence in Kings Lynn,” says Mark Jones, UK South area manager for Minuteman Press International. He adds, “They’ve worked hard, followed the program and really took to heart the idea of providing the highest levels of quality and service.”
Up to 200 Orders per Day
In October 2015, Keith and Paula Boyce installed their second Xerox 1000 digital press, and the results were astounding when it came to production time. “In the lead up to Christmas we were producing up to 200 orders per day. So far we have met our sales targets for years 1 and 2, and are on plan to double the size of the business again as we had planned 2 years ago [in 2013]. Hopefully, we will then be able to relocate the business early 2017. Looking forward it’s a really exciting time for our industry.”
Getting Involved and Giving Back
Aside from helping businesses in Kings Lynn and surrounding areas grow their businesses, from day one Keith Boyce had fully embraced the idea of networking and making a positive impact in the community: “I was advised at Minuteman Press training school that we join networking groups, and so I joined our local Rotary club, and also BNI. I left BNI in late 2013 but have remained a member of Rotary. This year I am president of my local club, which is in its 89th year. As president, it allows me to support many worthwhile causes. This year, the focus has been on vocation and our community, and my business indirectly yet inevitably benefits as it provides us with lots of positive PR. This year, we will raise over £30,000 that will benefit projects such as Riding for the Disabled and supporting a school in Sri Lanka. It allows me to attend key community events and has certainly helped me become well-known in the local area.”
Advice to Others
To Keith Boyce, Minuteman Press may have been the perfect fit because of the high levels of quality and service that the brand is known for worldwide. His advice for other business owners is very much in line with the core values that Minuteman was built upon: “Employ quality staff and then keep them. Then keep everyone focused on delivering quality products backed up by exceptional customer service.”
For more information on Keith and Paula Boyce’s Minuteman Press franchise in Kings Lynn, call 01553 661103 or visit their website.
About Minuteman Press
Serving the business community for over 40 years, Minuteman Press’ customer service driven business model provides digital print, design and promotional products and services to businesses from concept review through to completion. Today we are much more than just print; we can provide anything you can put a name, image or logo on! Our new slogan – We Design, Print & Promote… YOU! – indicates the wide variety of products and services we offer that go beyond printing. For more information, visit http://www.minutemanpress.com.
Minuteman Press International is a number one rated business service franchise that offers world class training and unparalleled ongoing local support. Minuteman Press opened in 1973 and began franchising in 1975. Today, there are more than 925 locations worldwide including the U.S., Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Minuteman Press aims to grow to more than 1,000 franchises within the next three years. Prior experience is not necessary to own and operate a successful Minuteman Press franchise.
Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at http://www.minutemanpressfranchise.com.
Chris Biscuiti, Minuteman Press International, http://www.minutemanpressfranchise.com, +1 6312491370 Ext: 249, [email protected]
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