Member Article

Sign manufacturer targets growth in the south

ONE of the country’s leading sign manufacturers is expanding its presence nationally and creating at least 10 jobs as it looks to secure further growth in the south.

Astley currently employs 140 people across four sites in Gateshead, where it is headquartered, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Glasgow.

But as part of a major review of its succession planning programme, which is seeing changes to the management structure across the business, Astley has announced it is recruiting for at least 10 new jobs at its Milton Keynes office with the new positions being created in business development, estimating, project management and installation.

However, depending on the calibre of people who express an interest, the company may take on additional members of staff to support the growth of its Team Valley operations.

David Forrester, Sales Director and co-owner of Astley, said: “Milton Keynes plays a key part in our project management offer and is the ideal location for serving clients in the south east. We have already started our recruitment drive with the appointment of three people, however we are still looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals in business development, project management, estimating and installation.

“It’s a really exciting time for the business as we look to build our portfolio and increase turnover across all of our target markets.”

Astley was founded more than 90 years ago and has been owned by the current directors for 25 years this year.

The company’s portfolio of clients includes many of the UK’s leading blue chip brands, including the Hilton Hotel Group, Frankie and Benny’s, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, the Co-operative Group and Esso, while it has also designed the signs for local leisure facilities including the Metro Centre and Eldon Square when they became part of the Intu Group; Metro Radio Arena; and Market Cross Jewellers.

Since re-launching in 1990 following the management buyout by David and fellow director David Redhead, the company has seen annual turnover increase year on year and in 2012 underwent a major re-brand, which saw it become known as Astley, which incorporates Astley Signs, Astley Imaging and Astley Maintenance.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .