UK private equity fund Elaghmore has acquired SFD, a creative organisation that offers a complete visual needs solution to the retail industry.
SFD collaborates with exclusive global brands and retailers, helping them to realise their unique visions to create the ultimate customer experience. The SFD offering includes a suite of display solutions for in-store and front of store, including innovative window displays and a market-leading mannequin proposition. Elaghmore has purchased SFD from its management who will remain with the company.
Based in Watford and employing more than 60 people globally, SFD has an unrivalled manufacturing and sourcing capability. This capability enables it to provide customers with a globally consistent solution that encompasses creative design, prototyping and installation.
Elaghmore will provide SFD with the financial backing to invest in its supply chain as well as to support the creation of advanced design and prototyping capability. SFD will continue to operate autonomously but will work closely with two other Elaghmore businesses, Kesslers and the recently acquired Gardners. SFD will add global sourcing and visual merchandising capability to the services provided by Kesslers and Gardners. Kesslers is a leading designer and manufacturer of digital and physical in-store display solutions, and Gardners’ designs and produces large format visual displays.
The combination of SFD, Kesslers and Gardners will create a world-leading provider of integrated digital and physical display solutions for brands and retailers, including in-store, front of store, outside spaces and transportable media. The combined capabilities of these companies will meet the increasing demands of retailers and brands to create innovative solutions that deliver commercial benefit, communicates the brand’s values and most importantly, has the needs of their most loyal customers at its heart. Together the businesses employ over 300 people with annual sales in excess of GBP60 million.
SFD is the seventh acquisition made by Elaghmore from its GBP60 million, initial private equity fund, Elaghmore I (Fund 1) which closed at the end of 2016. The investment strategy of the fund is focused on businesses that present a significant opportunity for growth and value creation. Elaghmore has a strong track record over the past decade, investing in and successfully growing companies.
Greg Koral, Partner at Elaghmore, says: “SFD has built a global reputation in the display solutions market. SFD will add global sourcing and visual merchandising capability to the solutions already being offered by Kesslers and Gardners. The combination of the three business creates a world-leading provider of integrated digital and physical display solutions serving world-leading brands and retailers. These are exciting times for the newly formed group with significant opportunities ahead, and we look forward to working with Paul and the team at SFD through its next phase of development.”
Paul Brooks, CEO of SFD, says: “In a rapidly evolving environment, which sees retail and brands constantly transforming, SFD is delighted to become part of the Elaghmore family. This exciting opportunity will accelerate our innovation offering at a unique moment in the history of retail and will enable our clients to forge ahead and break new ground, elevating them above their competition both now and in the future. Together with my team I am honoured to be a part of this journey.”
