LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Speedwear supplies the racing industry with digital prints
Monday 06. December 2010 - Wendy and Wim Eyckmans bought the company Speedwear about five years ago. They turned this insignificant firm into a flourishing business which enjoys a good name on the racetracks. Speedwear offers pilots a complete package: from race suits, over fire-resistant underwear to rib protectors. The digital print service is also very popular. Poster printing, sticker making and textile printing are part of Speedwear's day-to-day activities.
Speedwear bought a Roland VersaCAMM VP at the beginning of 2008. They knew little about designing software and printing was new to them as well. But that didn’t stop them. Business manager Wendy explains: “At races and events, pilots often came to us with the request to print the name of their sponsor on T-shirts, race suits, stickers and so on. We always had to outsource this, which wasn’t ideal for us. That’s when we started dreaming about buying a printer ourselves. We bought a Roland machine, but we knew little about printing and cutting. Of course, we had to test a lot in the beginning. Throughout the months, we got the hang of it. Now we make pop-ups for pit boxes, car stickers, textile transfers, sponsor gifts and so much more on a day to day basis. And we’re always looking for new possibilities. Maybe we’ll buy a Roland UV machine for doming and structure printing.”
During the high-season, Speedwear’s printer/cutter produces continuously. Every day, the company gets new orders, even from people who aren’t related to the racing industry. They ask Speedwear to print e.g. T-shirts, sports bags and caps. Wendy: “We can’t believe how fast everything evolves. We started without any knowledge about printing and now, we have a large clientele.”
Speedwear wants to offer its customers a good service at any time. That’s why they have their own stand at all big events. Wendy explains: “Throughout the whole year, I go to races to represent Speedwear. Beside all this, I often join my husband Wim on trips. He has his own karting team with which he travels around the globe. Of course, all prints on these karts are made with our Roland machine. Some weeks ago, we were in Japan for the World Championships Karting. Wim’s team became world champion and we’re very proud of this.”