Build Me Mini, founded in 2014 by Stephen Holdstock, specialises in personalised printed Lego bricks and figures, custom printed key rings and personalised frames.
Completed on 26 June, the cash deal saw Lemon Labels Group buy Build Me Mini’s name, client book and printer, a Roland SF-200 flatbed identical to the one used in Lego’s Leicester Square flagship store to custom-print blocks.
While the business was not in trouble, Holdstock, who had run the business with his wife, decided to sell to focus on his profession as a web developer; his wife likewise to focus on videography and photography.
Trevor Voisey, Lemon Labels’ director, said that the group would maintain Build Me Mini’s brand, website, and that it intended to take on one or two employees to help grow the business.
“We’re not intending to change it massively, just to polish and improve what’s already working,” Voisey told Printweek.
He added that the purchase worked well with another recent acquisition, that of Labels For Kids in 2022.
Labels For Kids, which produces vinyl stickers and labels for school uniforms, lunchboxes, and similar products, had outsourced production of custom-printed Lego bricks to Build Me Mini.
“When that opportunity arose to acquire Build Me Mini, and bring that capability in-house, it was a no-brainer.
“It just improves our ability to turn stuff around, and over the next year it’s going to allow us to really improve the range of products we offer as well, because we’re going to expand both ranges.”
Voisey added that the company would invest in further web development to make Build Me Mini a true web-to-print experience allowing customers to upload designs.
The SF-200, an eco-solvent press specifically designed for use with highly durable, child-safe inks, will also allow Lemon Labels to explore further applications such as medical products.
“It has a lot of cross-potential,” Voisey said.
“We’ve had a few ideas over the last couple of years that we haven’t had the capability to produce in-house, but now we’re going to be able to do a bit more development.”
The combined Lemon Labels group is due to turn over more than £1.5m in 2023, with six employees at its 280sqm facility in Kent.
