Chance Encounters and Hard Work

T & S Signcraft was born out of an unusual request. The year was 1981 and co-founder Trevor Wilkins had been working for Qantas for 13 years, working his way through the ranks to the pivotal role of Flight Service Director on key international routes. At the time, he was still travelling the globe ensuring travellers were well cared for, but with eyes wide open for possible ideas to start his own business back in Sydney. Back in the 1980’s, Australia had only a limited range of products available locally. With a relatively small population and the world wide web still only a future concept, it was not uncommon for airline employees to bring back various products that could not otherwise be obtained locally. Because of this dynamic, a teacher at son Chris’ school had asked whether Trevor knew of anywhere he could source a special medallion for an upcoming awards event, so he added it to the list of items to scout out on a future trip. Trevor expected he would be able to source the medal in Hong Kong, where almost anything could be found for sale in the many laneways packed with hawkers. But several searches proved fruitless, so the request eventually went to the back of his mind. Randomly opening a phonebook in a hotel in Singapore sometime later though, Trevor happened to notice a business entry for a "Medallic Industries" and decided to give them a call. Making an instant connection with a family not dissimilar to his own but for geographical location, the rest quickly became history as a simple initial request developed into a whole new business concept. Trevor continued to work with Qantas for a further 22 years, often using his overseas work trips as opportunities to stop over in Singapore to visit the factory and strengthen connections. Meanwhile, Trevor’s wife and business partner Suzanne effectively ran the Australian operation in his absence; taking orders, organising deliveries and managing the administration for the growing boutique business. From humble beginnings, another chance encounter in 1999 saw Trevor introduced to the Honours Secretariat for the Federal Government, where T & S had the opportunity to pitch for production of key official medals, including the coveted Order of Australia. Impressed by both the quality and attention to detail with which the prototype medals were produced, the secretariat contracted T & S to produce the full range of medals, a partnership that has stayed strong through several international tenders and over two decades. While Trevor freely says the company’s success is just because he was simply lucky to be in the “right place at the right time”, clients cite his ability to present bespoke creative ideas that fall in line with their strategic objectives and fulfil those concepts reliably with brilliantly crafted items that truly impress the recipient. As well as the quality of the items themselves, another key differentiator for the business is in the custom made presentation boxes it creates for its medallions and ancillary items. Not only about the award itself, the company is always on the lookout for new materials, concepts and designs.

Trevor and Suzanne semi-retired in 2020 but continue to consult to the business, with son Chris taking on the role of CEO, carrying on the family tradition for quality, innovation and reliability. Fast forwarding to now, the business has grown its extensive client base to include key military and the highest level of Government departments, major financial institutions, sporting clubs, schools and corporations large and small here in Australia and across the globe.