Displayways Group has completed a £1.1m investment programme that has added to its capabilities, and has also expanded its consultancy offering with a strategic acquisition.
The group is headquartered in south London and offers visual consultancy, project management and production services to creative agencies and brands. It specialises in complex visual projects spanning interiors, signage, graphics and live environments.
The investment in new equipment included a SwissQprint Nyala 4 high-end UV-LED flatbed printer, a Mimaki JV330-160 printer, Piranha CNC routing machine and EFI Vutek M3h hybrid LED device.
The equipment has been installed over the past 12 months, with installation of the Vutek completed last week.
Displayways has added a 125sqm production area to its London facility in Earlsfield for the CNC operation, which is a new service for the group.
The overall space in London is around 1,022sqm.
Displayways CEO Rob Kelly said it had been one of the most significant investments in the firm’s history.
“This is not simply about adding machinery – it is about strengthening our ability to support the creative sector with deeper technical expertise to support our consultancy approach, greater capacity and faster delivery.
“Our ambition is to be seen not just as a manufacturer, but as a strategic visual partner to the agencies and brands we work with,” he stated.
Kelly told Printweek that the group was focused on “looking after customers and adding value” and had gained new business after competitors had failed to deliver.
“My strategy is providing a service and consultancy at the bespoke end of all the markets we serve,” he said.
Displayways has also expanded its offering with the acquisition of MGK Design in a deal that completed at the end of last year. The firm has relocated from Tolworth, where its lease was coming to an end, to Earlsfield.
Founder and director Marcus King remains with the company, which has five permanent staff and works with specialist contractors for specific projects.
MGK Design is focused on design and fit-out for interior environments, with clients including Flight Club and Compass Facilities Management.
Kelly said: “The acquisition of MGK Design marks an important step in the evolution of the group. By bringing design-led interior expertise into the business, we can now support clients earlier in the creative process and provide a more integrated consultancy offer.”
King said that becoming part of a larger group brought many benefits, and commented: “Joining the Displayways Group gives us access to an exceptional level of production capability that is greater than our own and project delivery experience.
“This allows us to expand the scope of what we can offer clients while maintaining the design integrity that has always been central to our work.”
Displayways Group spans five separate companies that benefit from common infrastructure, administration and IT.
The group, which also has a site in Guildford, employs 52 and is on track for sales of £10m this year.
Kelly acquired Displayways with business partner Peter Sheldrick nearly 14 years ago.
