Dennis D’Arcy (60), owner of Aberdeen-based promotional products and signage company Recognition Express North Scotland, has been presented with an award celebrating his three decades in business.

Dennis D’Arcy being presented with his 30 Years In Business Award by Nigel Toplis

The award was presented to Dennis by Nigel Toplis, Managing Director of Recognition Express.

Nigel said: “It has been a pleasure having Dennis in the network over the past thirty years. He has carved out his own special niche in the local area and has built up a thriving business of which he must be very proud. I hope to be presenting Dennis with our first 50 years in business award in the future!”

Dennis, who lives in Aberdeenshire with wife Tracey and 6-year old daughter Charlotte, set up his Recognition Express business in 1982 when he was still working as Sales Manager of an office equipment company in Aberdeen. He continued to work in both businesses until the early 1990’s when the office equipment company was bought out and Dennis decided to put all his efforts into Recognition Express.

Dennis said: “I went on a big sales drive and worked hard building up a network of local businesses I could sell to as well as areas I could expand into. Aberdeen is a small place and everyone knows everyone so word of mouth recommendation is the best form of marketing here!”

The company now employs 5 people and, with the exception of a few years during the recession, sales have grown year on year and are still on the up. The National Australia Group, owner of the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, is a long-term customer and has just renewed it’s 5 year contract for Dennis to provide badges for its branch staff across Scotland and England.

A unique part of the Recognition Express network North Scotland is one of few franchises that still specialises in signage. The business recently re-located from George Street where it had been based for over 12 years, to premises at 70 Ardarroch Road, which are better suited to large format printing.

Dennis continued: “Over the years I’ve invested a lot into technology to create signage and the plan is to expand the digital printing part of the business even more.”

In terms of the future Dennis has no plans to slow down: “I enjoy doing what I’m doing, meeting people and doing business with them. And until I stop enjoying it I will keep going!”