holds cherry picker licences, keeping much of the work in-house. Explaining the company’s character, Ballington-James says: “Our ethos is customer service. We put the customer first: something I’ve done all my life. We try to get the job done quickly and properly first time, and do everything we can to get a happy customer, resolving any issues without allowing anything to hold up delivery. We don’t have a blame culture, because things can go wrong but we learn from them when they do.” The workforce supporting this operation is small but highly experienced – while it has a headcount of eight, some team members having been with the firm for over 20 years. This institutional knowledge is essential to the company’s ability to handle complex projects, while remaining agile enough to keep every stage of production under direct control. As Ballington-James describes it: “Our position in the industry is having the experience and capacity to handle large customers and projects, but small enough to keep everything under our control.” A Day in the Life A typical day at Just AJD illustrates the flexibility required to service its diverse client base. Activity often begins as early as 7:30am, with the team processing material deliveries and responding to quotes that have arrived overnight. Printing typically starts at 8:00am and continues throughout the day, often interspersed with site surveys or face-toface client meetings. However, the factory’s work is far from over when the traditional working day ends. Evening printing sessions usually run from 5:00pm until midnight, with the machines monitored remotely. Because the site is located on an industrial estate, noise is not a concern, allowing the team to scale up to 24-hour production during peak periods. This flexibility is particularly evident in August, when the firm handles the intense requirements of the Notting Hill Carnival. Ballington-James sums this approach up, saying: “We are very flexible and will do whatever each job demands.” Logistics are managed with equal precision. The company utilises two courier services: one for mid-afternoon collections and a second for evening deliveries around 6:00pm. This structured approach is designed to ensure that products are dispatched promptly, keeping the workflow moving and meeting customer deadlines without delay. While a lot of the focus is on logisticshandling, the end goal is always customer service. Ballington-James comments: “It sounds like a cliché, but we do go the extra mile. We have built some great long-term relationships with our customers, which is based on our reliability and giving them what they want. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is when our customers ring to thank us for the work. We love the personal contact, and we like the fact we often speak to customers and not just take orders over email or our website.” For Just AJD’s public sector and print management clients, sustainability is no longer an optional extra but a core requirement. The company has responded by modernising its equipment to reduce raw material consumption and improve reliability. Other environmental initiatives at the Wimborne site include the use of green energy and solventfree, water-based inks. In addition, the company has shifted the majority of its banner production to non-PVC vinyl. By recycling waste materials and focusing on a reduced carbon footprint, Just AJD provides its clients with the necessary credentials to meet their own environmental targets. The Next Chapter The next 18 months will mark a significant transition for the company, with BallingtonJames planning to become an executive chairman and step back from the day-today operations to focus on key accounts and new business. Current operations manager, Stephen Russell, will become the company’s new managing director with James Arnold stepping up to the role of production director, with the transition set to follow the completion of the 2027 Notting Hill Carnival project. Explaining this shift, Ballington-James adds: “I’ll always stay involved, of course, and be hands on. I will continue to handle key customers and new business, but Steve and James will be looking to shape the business for the years ahead once I step back. Steve has already taken the lead on the logistics and negotiations for the new Wimborne factory space, and both have been increasingly involved in longterm decision-making.” With a solid foundation of offerings, a long-standing team, and a clear strategic path, Just AJD should be well-positioned to continue its growth while remaining true to the ‘customer first’ ethos that has defined its first 25 years in the industry. Our ethos is customer service. We put the customer first: something I’ve done all my life COMPANY SPOTLIGHT | JUST AJD 1999 - The company was founded at the end of the last century as AJD Group 1,000 - The company is adding 1,000sq ft of space to its Wimborne factory 8 - Just AJD employs eight employees, with some having been at the firm for over 20 years £1m- The business has an annual turnover of around £1m a year Statistics 44 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 266 - August | September ▲In 2025, Just AJD installed new graphics at Chipping Barnet Library
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==