Sign of the times as city firm celebrates 30 years

Creative large format display graphics and signage business MX Display is celebrating 30 years in business.

The firm, based at the Meteor Business Park, in Derby, designs, produces and installs a range of signage, graphics, decorative acoustics, and other high-quality displays.

Although incorporated in 1996, MX Display can trace its origins back to 1985, when it was initially founded as Friargate Photography.

It began as a printer and photographic studio, developing and producing commercial photographs for estate agents and other businesses across the region.

After securing several large contracts, the business relocated to Abbey Street. Here, its skilled team of 25, known as Multiprint, processed, developed and finished prints for professional photographers around the UK.

But the firm’s continuous drive to innovate and embrace new technologies spurred its further growth and success.

The business embraced and invested in the latest printing technology, which allowed it to offer exhibition scale photographs to both new and existing clients.

As a result, it began to work with museums, national visitor centres and on product launches and advertising campaigns.

It was at this point that Multiprint became two separate entities: Multiprint and MX Display (Multiprint ‘Ex’hibitions).

The firm continued to invest in technology that allowed it to deliver large format printing.

However, the equipment was so large that the firm outgrew Abbey Street – resulting in a move to its current premises at the Meteor Business Park.

Since then, the firm has continued to grow, embrace new technologies and push boundaries.

Today, it employs a team of more than 30 people, serving clients at home and abroad across a range of markets, including office interiors, retail, education, construction, healthcare, sports and leisure.

Its customers include a number of fellow Marketing Derby Bondholders, including Rolls-Royce, Derby Museums, East Midlands Railway, Pektron (part of Morgan Industrial Properties), Toyota and Vaillant.

A recent project involved designing, producing and installing signage at the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building.

David Lister, sales director at MX Display, said: “Continual investment in the latest technology has been key to our growth over the years as has our commitment to pushing boundaries with new product development.

“People come to us because we ‘find a way’ and deliver technical projects where others can’t.

“I think our clients would say key to our longevity is that they can trust us to deliver alongside our innovation, creativity and customer service.”

Going forward, David said the firm plans to continue its growth and investment journey.

He said: “We’re looking to install a mezzanine soon to increase our production space, while also growing our production, installation and project teams.”