AN East Midlands sign maker is rebranding following a merger with another prominent UK signage business which has enabled a major expansion.
The rebrand is the final step in an integration process that began when Gateshead-based Astley bought Kettering business Sign of the Times in 2016.
Over the past four years, the two highly respected, award-winning brands have shared over 130 years’ combined experience and resources. They have now reached the point in their development where they are ready to consolidate the two companies, rebranding with a new logo and website under the established Astley name on the 6 April 2020.
Sign of the Times Managing Director Darren Roughton founded the Telford Way Industrial Estate-based company 35 years ago. The recent streamlining of the two businesses, as they continued to work under their established brand identities, is the latest development in the company’s growth over the past three decades.
Darren said: “Both Sign of the Times and Astley have benefited hugely from taking the time to get to know each other to identify how to make the most of our individual strengths in order to grow and enhance our services as one company. In addition, having bases in both the North East and the Midlands will enable us to better serve clients across the UK, particularly in the south, which is significantly unrepresented in the industry.
“We are very excited about formally relaunching with our brand-new logo and website on 6 April, offering clients a wide range of traditional and architectural signage.”
Commercial Director of Astley, Gavin Redhead added: “The merger has already proven to be a great success on both sides, with both businesses now expanding their workforces to meet rising demand. We are very much looking forward to building on that success in the future as one company.”
Existing and new clients of both companies can expect an enhanced experience as Sign of the Times’ creative design-through-to-installation service for sign, display and brand graphics combines with Astley’s larger scale, innovative approach to visual branding implementation and high levels of accreditations, including their recent zero waste to landfill pledge.
Both companies bring an award-winning heritage to the new Astley brand. Among its achievements, Sign of the Times counts three Best Overall Sign of the Year Awards, with two won in consecutive years at the British Sign and Graphics Association Awards for their creative production work. In 2018 both companies came away with an impressive four BSGA Awards between them – Craftsman, Innovation, Rollout Programme and Illuminated Sign of the Year for Astley’s work supplying the iconic Great North Run signage on the Tyne Bridge.
As the rebranded Astley, the Kettering site will continue to work with corporate clients and on creative projects with leading design agencies, whilst sharing production work with Gateshead.