The business, which serves a large customer base of global brand owners, offers services ranging from the production of a graphic profile and design to the installation of both large facade signs and small signs and graphic elements for branding and wayfinding in retail stores and buildings.
Astley Signs was started in 1924 under the name H. Astley & Co. and employs around 150 staff, all of whom will be kept on under the terms of the deal, which was completed on 31 May.
Mindelon told Printweek there are no plans for any staff or business relocation, and that Astley Signs will retain its name and branding. There is not expected to be any impact on the staff or its clients and partners as a result of the acquisition.
Circa £16m-turnover Astley is now an independent company in Mindelon’s Retail Solutions business area, which is headed up by Ulrica Lindunger.
Fredrik Celsing, president and CEO of Mindelon, said: “Astley helps its customers to sharpen their profile and build their brands through innovative, eye-catching and effective signage solutions.
“For many years, the company has had proven operational ability and strong relationships with large global players. Astley will therefore be an exciting and valuable addition to our Retail Solutions business area where we will support the company as it continues its successful journey. It is also exciting that the Mindelon group now has a solid foothold in the British market.”
Astley’s Gateshead head office and bespoke built production site spans 5,760sqm space while it has another 2,230sqm unit in Kettering, plus further storage and installation facilities at sites in Leeds and Glasgow. The company runs a wide range of print and finishing kit from manufacturers including Epson, Canon, Inktec, Mimaki, Zünd, and Summa.
It also offers internal BS EN 1090 certified fabrication, and water-jet CNC capabilities and at its Kettering site the business has a creative workshop that specialises in “the development of mixed-media and sustainable branding solutions” to support clients with concept stores and POS, the latest of which was its work with the Co-op on its new eco-store launch in the UK.
Astley Signs’ previous owners were David Redhead, who was chairman of the board, managing director Gavin Redhead, and sales director David Forrester. The latter pair will continue their involvement with the company in their current respective positions.
Gavin Redhead said: “The transaction secures the future of the company for the next generation and enables it to continue to follow the path of investment, growth, and evolution we have successfully pursued over the last three decades. We look forward to all the opportunities that it will bring for the business.”
Confidential Corporate Finance acted as adviser to Mindelon for the transaction.
In 2016 Astley Signs acquired fellow sign manufacturer Sign of the Times. A rebranding and consolidation exercise then took place in 2020.
