Newsletter Articles

From Rags to Riches.

Business Success Story – Professional Digital Finishes (PDF Pty Ltd)

As a finance specialist, one of the most satisfying parts of my job is working with clients over an extending period of time and observing the growth and success of a business. It’s a feeling you never tire from.

One such client that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for the last 6 years is “Professional Digital Finishes”. With a background in digital printing, Jon Ballard decided to go it alone and started his own business in 2000. Like so many fledgling businesses, Jon began by working at home, by himself, with the garage having been converted to an office come workshop. With limited equipment and a handful of clients, Jon soon created a niche in designing and producing display boards. I can still recall the day that Jon first phoned 6-Point Finance and asked me to assist his business with its first finance transaction for a small digital printer.

Good old-fashioned customer service saw Jon’s business gain momentum. He progressively invested in additional equipment so that he could expand his product range and improve both product quality and manufacturing efficiencies.

As demand for Jon’s services continued to grow that feeling of being ‘time poor’ and not having any support became increasingly common. In 2004, Jon decided to merge his business with another similar operation owned by a colleague, Mark Huntley. Together they created PDF (Professional Digital Finishes).

(Mark Huntley and Jon Ballard)

What a journey it has been! Gone are the days of being a one-man-band. Jon’s garage is now home for his BMW, not his office. The business now has 4 employees and it has recently moved from one factory at West End to a bigger warehouse at Albion. With the assistance of 6 Point Finance they have invested in even more equipment to improve their service range, operating efficiency and profitability. Turnover has increased a massive 16-fold from 2000 to 2006.

PDF specialises in digital printing and also offers a full mounting and laminating service. They can digitally print posters, banners, stickers and signs on to practically any surface. Their clients include retail and point of sale businesses, trade shows, expos and some retail printers such as Snap and Kwik Kopy who outsource their specialised low run digital printing.

Jon and Mark have worked very hard over the years. They continue to adopt a customer comes first philosophy and are constantly looking for ways to improve their business. From those humble beginnings to a well-established, profitable enterprise; PDF is destined for bigger and better things in the future.

It’s always a pleasure working with clients who have similar business ethics and an appreciation for quality service and advice.