Signage firm joins Manchester operation following deal with administrators

A Stretford signs business has acquired a London firm out of administration, for an undisclosed sum.

GB Signs Solutions, based in Trafford Park, bought Kesslers International as a going concern.

GB, which is part of the Manchester-based PFI Group, acquired the business from business services group Kroll, which was handling the administration.

Proportion London, has also been acquired.

Kesslers, which began trading in 1888 and is the UK’s oldest point-of-purchase designer and manufacturer, went into administration on December 17, 2022. Its customers included a number of UK and international retailers.

GB Sign Solutions is a high-specification manufacturer for the signage industry. It provides high quality sign and advertising solutions to multi-nationals, small to medium sized businesses, government authorities and self-employed enterprises.

Darren McMurray, PFI Group CEO said: “The Kesslers and Proportion London businesses fit well within the PFI Group’s stable of signage, branding and visual communication companies, further strengthens and diversifies our uniquely comprehensive client solutions offering and represents another significant milestone in the group’s buy and build strategy.

Michael Lennon and Philip Dakin, from Kroll, were the joint administrator. Michael Lennon said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure the future of the UK’s oldest supplier to the point-of-purchase sector.

“As a result of the sale, the business and assets of the company will transfer to the new owners. Employees will also be transferred under TUPE regulations.”

He added: “This is a superb outcome as it preserves a longstanding business, provides continuity of employment for a number of employees and provides an opportunity of employment for others in the area.”

Legal advice supporting the joint administrators was provided by Addleshaw Goddard’s Manchester office.