Prosperity Through Diversity

From a converted stable building in the village of Liphook, Hampshire, PRC produces high quality photographic services for a range of clients, consumers and professional photographers alike.

From a converted stable building in Liphook, Hampshire, PRC offers photographic services to professional and amateur photographers.

Managing Director, Rod Menzies, ensured that his predominantly family-run business, formed in 1975, would embrace the commercial changes in the photographic industry.

He knew he would need to address the growing competition from local high street minilabs, but also invest in new opportunities for his professional customers.

"We were determined not to make the mistake of becoming dependent on the 'traditional' pro-lab market," said Rod. The lab now offers: d&p for consumers and amateurs; specialist hand printing services; printing from smart media; delivery service; internet orders; wedding photographer software; large format digital printing.

"Nine years ago we added a shop front to our premises in Liphook and bought a Fujifilm analogue minilab to take d&p orders from consumers and amateur photographers.

Nine years ago, PRC added a shop front to its business for consumer orders

"Our customers were impressed with the professional feel of the business and saw us as the experts they could trust to help them get the best from their photographs."

Retail activities now account for approximately one quarter of the business.

"In recent years digital cameras have become very popular as gifts and the must-have gadget of the moment," said Rod. "But not everyone's aware that they can get high quality prints quickly and easily from a high street minilab. So we've had to explain that the SmartPix digital imaging centre can accept the smartcards from their digital cameras and provide prints within the hour!"

The lab has invested more than £400,000 in equipment in the last four years, not to mention the huge investment of staff time in training to use the new equipment, including two Frontier digital minilabs and a Frontier Image Manager system.

PRC now sells a wide range of consumables including film and single use cameras

Another extension to PRC's offering is the Spicer Hallfield Montage software - PRC is a lab and distributor for the company.

The software helps wedding photographers construct albums on screen and then print a storyboard. Selling this software and then fulfilling orders for photographers is yet another way for PRC to grow the business.

"It's important to offer as many services as possible to all our customers," said Rod. "So we still offer the same 'traditional' pro-lab services while looking for new profit opportunities. We've just bought a digital enlarger for large format work. This will expand our business again, not only by attracting new customers, but also through retaining pro customers who can get everything under one roof."

To contact PRC telephone 01428 723838 or visit www.prcphoto.co.uk