Our specialist label and industrial division has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing. Here’s how a sideline in nameplate engraving became Graphic Arts Group.
Our founder was Brian Jenkin, an industrial chemist, used to a white coat and the laboratory environment, but looking for wider horizons to earn a living. Making a start working from home with a well-used engraving machine soon led to increasing business not only in laminate labels and nameplates but steadily extending into a wide range of label and related products.
Nameplate engraving in the garden shed was just the beginning. Brian hung up his lab coat, and in the early days focused on a niche area of labels. However, the business grew quickly with customers asking for a wide variety of specialist labels. The firm was up for the challenge, so that no label request went unanswered… dome plastic labels, asset tags, metal labels in brass, stainless steel and anodised aluminium, fascia labels, chemically etched nameplates, the list goes on…
Specialists you can trust – our heritage in label printing has meant there are few label requirements and specifications we’ve not seen before. Our decades-long partnerships with major manufacturers and public sector organisations are built on a culture of service, expertise and quality – and with accreditations from industry bodies to prove it.
Although on occasion you can still find Brian engraving, his skill is kept just for friends and family. Nevertheless, the ‘side-line’ legacy was the foundation of Graphic Arts Group today.
Brian’s specialist knowledge in the lab and other interests were key to the establishment of the initial busness foundation – he ran things from the garden shed.
Graphic Arts (Coventry) Ltd. trading name was founded as a specialist label manufacturing company, with clients such as Bombardier, BOC, and Rolls Royce.
The company purchased its first freehold premises in the historic Spon End, in Coventry.
Growth required relocation to larger premises on Warwick Street, Coventry. The business purchased a freehold premises and rented an additional unit in the same street.
The business started merchandise and promotional product printing; this division experienced rapid growth, with brand insights and marketing thought leadership pushing the business forward.
Our long-term partnership with the University of Warwick began..
The company acquired City Screenprint, boosting in-house production capabilities.
The signage division was launched, serving sectors including NHS, education, construction, and corporate.
We began our partnership with Volvo that continues to this day.
The business acquired Coventry Nameplate Company. This brought additional specialist print processes in-house and enhanced capabilities.
A long-lasting relationship with Hiab UK began with the development of a workwear portal.
Forte. The acquisition of Decca Print enabled the expansion into lithographic (litho) and digital printing.
We became incorporated as a company. The company moved to a modern corporate facility in Charter Avenue Industrial Estate, consolidating the production and administration teams under one roof.
We formalised the ‘Group’ structure and created four specialist divisions under the Graphic Arts umbrella – Sign & Display, Print & Promotion, Corporate Print, and Label & Screenprint.
The Signage and Graphics divisions enhanced the wide-format print equipment and achieved a range of industry accreditations.
There was substantial investment in the digital presence of the business and social media increased.
The premises were extended to increase warehousing and production capacity.
Providoré was acquired by the Group.
Merit Display was acquired by the Group bringing product display expertise to the buisness.
Graphic Signs branched out as its own trading name, website portal, and social media presence.
Growth and expansion continues at Graphic Arts Group.
