The deal, which was signed on 1 November, follows Poole, Dorset-headquartered Think Signs’ 2021 purchase of Solar Graphics, a Braintree, Essex-based bespoke signage company.
Founded in 2005, Think Signs has grown from a small signage business to a much larger group.
Jeff Todd acquired the company in 2014, bringing with him a wealth of industry experience after he started his career as a young photocopier technician in Botswana, where he worked alongside his late father.
In 2006 he relocated with his family to the UK, taking a brief hiatus from the industry. He returned to the sector in 2014 to acquire Think Signs, becoming its CEO, supported by his wife Elizabeth Todd, who helped manage daily operations, bookkeeping, and client relationships.
In 2015 their son Adrian Todd joined the team as a fitter while at university. He also generated new business for the group within the vehicle signage sector, which led to the formation of Think Wraps in 2018.
In 2022 the company welcomed Jeff and Elizabeth’s daughter Nicole Todd, who joined as finance and HR director.
With the integration of Surbiton-based Fresh Graphic Solutions, Think Signs said it would now be able to enhance its capabilities in delivering bespoke signage, graphic design, and large-format printing services to a diverse range of clients across industries from retail and hospitality to corporate and public sectors.
Fresh had five staff, including its two owners, who will be stepping down and retiring. Think has promoted a longstanding team member at Fresh, Tobi Hicks, to the new role of general manager there – reporting directly to head office in Poole.
It has also hired two additional people for Fresh and streamlined the company’s current setup to ensure each employee there has specialist focus areas.
Jeff Todd told Printweek that the business had got wind of the fact that Fresh Graphic Solutions’ previous owners were looking to sell and retire.
“So we made some enquiries and inroads and it seemed like a good fit for our business. We got hold of them and then we started the negotiation. It took a while to get to where we wanted to get to, but eventually we got there.
“They do a lot of work in London as well as just outside. We are always in London as well, doing a lot of work there, so it seemed natural that we would have a look at this business as it complements and helps us to do work in London and to give a quick response to other clients as well.”
Nicole Todd added: “The acquisition was also made quite strategically in that at Think Signs down in Poole, we focus a lot on vinyl work – our manufacturing is predominantly surrounded by large vinyl print.
“But our Essex branch [Solar Graphics] is very industrial – the manufacturing of large industrial totems and things like that. Fresh Graphic Solutions do a lot of exhibition signage and they’re so good with that.
“They’ve got such a great setup over there, so it just adds a different element to what we already do currently but also allows us to give a quick response to our already growing customer base in the London area.
“And obviously they can also utilise what we specialise in to help them be able to provide a quick turnaround in the vinyl space, for instance.”
Fresh Graphic Solutions, which runs printers including a Canon Arizona 480 XT, an HP Latex 1500, and a Mimaki JV33-260 as well as a wide range of finishing kit, will continue to operate under its existing name for the foreseeable future to ensure a seamless transition for current clients.
As well as Think Signs, Solar Graphics, and now Fresh Graphic Solutions, the wider group also includes vehicle wrapping and signwriting specialist Think Wraps – also based in Poole – and dedicated online e-commerce print provider Signs and Print.
Group turnover now stands at nearly £2m following the acquisition of circa £500,000-turnover Fresh Graphic Solutions.
