[A]st Transport Branding has become the first graphics provider to climb the ranks of 3M’s Select programme from gold to platinum partner status.
This places the transport branding company within an elite club of just five UK providers to have earned this prestigious title.
The Cumbria-based company, which recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary, is one of the UK’s leading transport branding specialists, providing complete branding solutions for the vehicle graphics industry. It has been printing and installing 3M vehicle wrap films since its launch in 2002.
After becoming a 3M Select Gold Partner in 2015, 3M extended Platinum Partner status to Ast Transport Branding following a thorough audit of its processes, stock control, batch numbers, traceability and print equipment.
Mark Aston, Managing Director at Ast Transport Branding, said: “We are very happy to have achieved Platinum status. It further underlines our constant commitment to quality, longevity and the best possible service.”
Pen Webley, marketing team leader for 3M‘s Commercial Solutions division, added: “We are delighted that Ast Transport Branding has met the criteria for 3M Select Platinum Partner status. With a proven record in the graphics industry, alongside a deep understanding of 3M graphic films and their installation, Ast Transport Branding has become one of our most valued partners. We look forward to continuing this relationship.”
Launched in 2015, 3M Select is a global programme to qualify partners according to stringent criteria, which cover equipment and quality of work. These include adherence to a 3M Code of Conduct, execution of a Matched Component System (MSC) quality test and submission to an annual audit by 3M personnel.
3M Select is supported by the 3M MSC Warranty, which covers the whole graphic, not just the consituent parts, and is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive in the industry. It guarantees that all elements of a graphic, comprising film, ink, adhesive and protective coating, will perform well together over an extended period, whatever the weather brings.
The programme in the UK and Ireland has two levels: Platinum and Gold. Ast Transport Branding becomes one of only five companies qualified as 3M Select Platinum Partners, along with seven 3M Select Gold Partners.
Ast Transport Branding will be promoting its coveted new accreditation to customers with a new 3M brochure and on social media.
For more information, visit www.3M.co.uk/graphicsolutions or follow 3M on facebook.com/3MgraphicsUK and twitter.com/3MgraphicsUK.
