Gate 7, a specialist in decal manufacturing and high-performance print solutions, is marking 25 years in business through celebrating a number of significant milestones: opening a manufacturing facility in India; investing in cutting-edge digital print technology and growing its headcount worldwide.
Founded in Gateshead, UK in 2000 by Keith Wickham, the company quickly established itself as a leader in designing and manufacturing decals for vehicles, plant and machinery with a presence in international markets. This led to it being awarded a Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2005 and 2018. With further recognition of its achievements being received in 2017, when the company’s then Managing Director, Kate Medcalf, was awarded an MBE for export and overseas investment.
To further cement its global reach the company invested in a U.S. headquarters and expansion of its warehouse facilities at its UK base. Most recently, through the opening of its 15,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Pune, India the company is acting on its growth ambitions to build partnership with leading players in the construction industry as well as scaling up operations for the Indian market and pursuing export opportunities in Southeast Asia. The facility will act as a gateway for Gate 7 to connect with customers across the globe.
The company, which initially focused on the Off Highway market, later expanded into the Agriculture, Construction, Industrial and Rental markets. In 2013, to support customers in these markets, it recognised a need for vinyls that offer a long outdoor life to provide safety critical information as well as company branding. Through a process of design and rigorous testing at its North East facility, it developed a unique product range of Superior Engineered Vinyls (SEV) and its SEV HT series which features a more aggressive adhesive which can withstand power washing within hours of the machine leaving production.
Growing from just six employees in the UK this year, the company now employs 120 staff worldwide. At its Pune facility, it currently employs 40 staff and plans to have a further 30 in the next 12 months. The Pune site is also equipped with modern digital technology from global experts Mimaki, including the first Mimaki JFX-600 flatbed digital printing machine to be used in India.
Keith Wickham, Company Founder and Chairman of Gate 7 said: “When I started the business it was always with the ambition to provide a more specialist and higher-grade service to industry leaders. The fact that we are recognised globally for our work and have bolstered our presence with multiple international sites is a testament to the hard work of our team, many of whom have been with us on this journey for a long time.
“For me personally, it’s an added achievement that the company is still family owned with my son Harry as Managing Director and daughter Sophie spearheading all commercial operations as Commercial Director – I know the company can grow stronger and I look forward to the future.”
Harry Wickham, Managing Director at Gate 7, added: “It’s an exciting time for Gate 7 as we strongly affirm our position to become the global leader in supplying innovative industrial decals and printed components.
“A number of milestones in our 25-year history has led us to this point and I’m immensely grateful for the support of not just my family, but my work family I have in my colleagues here at Gate 7. They continue to grow and develop our relationships with customers, which has led to increased projects. And across the business we’re always looking at innovative ways to support our customers and meet their expectations.
“Through the opening of our facility in India we’re in a strong position to reach and support more international markets and meet our ambitions for sustainable growth. I recently accompanied the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Business Secretary Peter Kyle, and prominent CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors and cultural leaders on a trade mission to Mumbai. It was fantastic to hear firsthand how the government is planning to grow its trade with India to help British businesses and people. As a business who has made a significant investment in India with the opening of our Pune facility, we are excited to see how the new trade deal will help us to unlock new opportunities, break down barriers and drive growth.”
Gate 7 is actively exploring eco-friendly vinyl options to align with global trends to ensure it contributes responsibly to its customers and the markets it operates in. In 2024 it installed solar panels to become energy sufficient and older machines have been replaced with newer more energy efficient machines. The company has also reduced solvents in its printing process by 20 per cent through the use of latex-based ink.
The company’s high-performance print solutions help businesses to enhance safety, market their brands and support equipment aesthetics. The company is committed to compliance, quality and the environment. Its materials are tested to relevant ANSI, ASTM and it holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
