We had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs Susan Turner, daughter of Mr Dowd – pioneer of Dowd Engravers. A well-established company in operation for 60 years with an ever-increasing number of customers and projects per year, is now run by two woman (mom [Susan Turner] and daughter [Jane Turner]) who recently acquired the Bodor Laser and Mimaki JFX200-2513 flatbed printer from Graphix Supply World.

We were interested to find out more about their family business, a real gem of a “mom and pop shop”   Mrs Turner had this to say: “Dowd Engravers started off in 1956 it was a small business started by Tom Dowd.

In the 70’s  Roger Turner joined the business and the name changed to Dowd and Turner.   The business grew to a staff count of around 60 people.  Our core focus, in those days was mostly Industrial engraving, name plates etched and printed.  By 1998 we had downsized the business and changed the company’s name back to Dowd Engravers.  Our core focus was to modernise the business and our service offering.  Instead of only focusing on Industrial engraving we included a larger range of signage.    We are continually evolving the business and have a staff count of around 25 people.”

Dowd Engravers design, create and install custom made signage with a wide range that will fit your every need. If you need any internal or external signage and nameplates that are acid etched, engraved, CNC machined, screen-printed, digital printed, anodised, or with vinyl application, they will manufacture it. This includes lightboxes, individual cut-out letters, stencil cut plates, fleximat, sandblast vinyl, no smoking signs, buffet tags, menu boards, room numbers, table numbers, directory boards, tenant boards, indicator boards, cosign, plaques or nameplates, memorial and opening plaques, display stands, honours boards, standing signs, estate agent boards, airport welcome boards, window signage or vehicle branding and decals, they will make sure you get only the best.

They acquired the Mimaki JFX200-2513, a high-performance large flatbed LED UV printer. This machine delivers unparalleled results to expand the potential for professional sign and graphics companies. A choice of inks, including white and clear, offers unlimited creative opportunities, with the capability to print to a wide range of substrates. Easy to use and with a compact footprint, the JFX200 -2513 maximises productivity by using industry standard-sized media, on its 2.5m x 1.3m bed.

Along with Dowd’s acquisition of the Mimaki flatbed printer, they also purchased the Bodor Fiber Laser from GSW Earlier this year. The Fiber Laser machine offers stable working suitable for cutting carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and alloy metal materials. A light crossbeam makes it work faster; it’s a perfect industrial design that is more in line with man-machine engineering; high quality electrical software control system gives equipment higher cutting precision. The machine owns more comfortable operation, more stable performance, more durable quality, higher cutting efficiency and wider application scope.

Ms Jane Turner – now “official owner of Dowd Engravers is an absolute go-getter”, says Mrs Susan Turner, they have worked well together as a family and as a team. This comes as no surprise with the success of their business. We wish them everything of the best and look forward to seeing the growth of Dowd Engravers in the coming years.

To find out more about Dowd Engravers and what they can do for your business, go to www.dowd.co.za or give them a call on (021) 948-1771