Engravotex History

Engravotex has been in business now for 35 years primarily as a service to large and small manufacturing businesses, together with sign makers and engravers.

The company has built a reputation for reliability, quality and a serious respect for you the customer, as without that important ingredient there is no business.

We have a customer base of end users and trade customers alike which spans the U.K. and beyond. We specialise in the manufacture of dye ano printed anodised aluminium panels, nameplates and labels in very small quantities.

The most important fact is that we listen to what you want and then using our skills and knowledge of our craft, assist you in delivering a Creative, Top Quality Product, at the right price on time,  every time.

Our mission statement has always been “Delivery, Quality and Price” nothing has changed since we began and by staying small and flexible we have managed to compete in the ever changing manufacturing environment.

I had started my business as a Jeweller producing rings in tiny a shop in Cradley High Street situated in the heart of the Black Country, however this all changed when Joe Shakespeare a pigeon racer and industrialist walked into my shop and asked “young man can you engrave?”

For my part I had briefly attempted to engrave while attending jewellery college, not successfully at all I might add. But it was a very quite period this August in 1979, main holiday time in the midlands, so I said yes. Two hours later he returned in his large estate car filled to the brim with trophies, he was without doubt keen to have them engraved.The following morning I contacted a company selling engraving machines and 2 days later I had signed a lease purchase document for my first TX3 Gravograph and there it was shinny and new.

Four months later January 17th.1980 I committed fully to engraving, the die was cast, I was now officially in the engraving / trophy business. I relocated to a workshop further up the High Street at number 87a and was busy bolting extrusion together, not only now engraving trophies but assembling and producing them.

During the next few months I contacted a company called Cebrian, their design was more in keeping with my Jewellery style of business, bronze super quality, not plastic and cheap marble. They were established in Valencia in 1965 , so I contacted them and a Manola Cebrian visited me and agreed the exclusivity to their products in the area.

I was now taking the business to a new quality level or so I thought!

I purchased a selection and promoted them, of course all of the local clubs were used to silver plated cups plastic and marble they were absolutely thrilled with these new quality pieces.

For a short time business was good, I worked hard and started to build a reputation for delivery quality and price it was a wonderful time sadly, it was to be short lived.

I presented my range to a large football league and secured or so I thought my first big order of £2,500.00.

The West Bromwich and District Football League I’ll never forget. I had worked hard and they promised me the order, with of course the spin offs of the individual clubs I was on my way. Nothing happened for a week or so, it all went quite so I phoned but my contact but he was always out and then Mr Cebrian turned up with one of my weekly orders. He had now come to live in Britain and was setting himself up to deal with the U.K. Directly. I said “sorry to keep you waiting on the big order but it will come through I am sure”, he just shrugged and said , “ That’s strange I have a duplicate of that order downstairs in the van for delivery to Pearson’s at Dudley” not 10 miles away. Yes you guessed it, I had learned a valuable lesson! In the jewellery industry your word is always your bond! This was a different world. I told him that he would never sell me another item and to get out! He did leave and he never sold me anything ever again I am glad to say.

However everything happens for a reason, because a week later Jack Hollis walked in and said, Malcolm “can you engrave stainless steel?” I had a sign that said “We engrave anybodies Anything” and yes you guessed it, NO! I could not, But I soon learned and another machine arrived with a microscope and grinder on lease a week later, I was on my way this time a wiser man.

Jack Hollis was the head buyer for Dank’s of Netherton a large company of note and manufactured heat exchange vessels (Boilers) for battle ships and he took me under his wing and I owe everything to that lovely man. Over the years I progressed from engraving to acid etching and ultimately dye ano printing, what a journey it has been, a life full of interest always learning and improving.

To finish off this little piece of history of the company I must mention another man who has been without doubt my biggest inspiration, he taught me so much about the industry, remember he said “Quality always sells” never cut corners it’s all in the detail, so to Herman and your wonderful family a big thank you for your support and friendship.

In recent years the whole manufacturing U.K. Has changed beyond all belief and I don’t think that it will ever be the same again. I’m sad for the future generations who will never know what its like to live in a country with a strong engineering base, where skills and craftsmanship is encouraged, where it’s production inspires uplifts and delivers quality time after time.

All we see now is a destruction of our high streets, a breakdown of our communities and overwhelming lack of compassion. For my part I want to see the end of new supermarkets installed on the promise of a new by-pass or a few first time buyers houses. A surcharge of 40% placed on all imports from outside the EEC and a commitment by honest M.Ps and government to encourage manufacturing and to make every company in the U.K. Pay it’s debts in 28 days and of course make directors of limited companies liable and stop the loophole of voluntary liquidation.

That says it all, thank you for reading this, I hope you have gained an insight to this little company.