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9 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 260 - August / September 2025 BUSINESS / NEWS SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink Hull-based sign-maker and supplier, Brownings, has celebrated its 100th year with a retrospective detailing the history of the company – revealing that it provided a very different offering when it was founded in 1925. The company was established by founder Walter Willoughby Browning as Browning’s Dental Laboratory, primarily crafting dentures. Following a decline in the denture market in the 1950s, the company pivoted to making medical training aids and practical joke products, using a material Browning invented and patented himself called Plastifol. Plastifol was used to make fake wounds, bones, and novelty items, which were reportedly sold worldwide and remained in production until as recently as 2021. The company increased its range of offerings in the ensuing decades. According to Brownings, it holds the accolade of being the first official UK distributor of Perspex since the 1950s – eventually expanding into items including machine guards and leaflet holders. After Browning’s passing in 1968, the business changed hands several times until 1993, when Steve Crowley acquired the company from then owners, Thompson’s Plastics, and began reshaping it into a signage manufacturer. Current managing director, Mike Gentle, joined the company in 2001, and in 2007 the company officially rebranded as Brownings, establishing itself as a trade-only signage specialist. Along with Gentle, production director Dean Harrison, and sales director, Richard Vincent, lead the business along with sales and marketing manager Bradley Robinson, who is helping build the next chapter. Brownings celebrates century in business The company officially rebranded as Brownings in 2007 Paragon expands with purchase of Service Graphics Business services provider, Paragon, has announced the purchase of display graphics and brand activation provider, Service Graphics. The deal was made as a share purchase agreement from family investment company, Grenadier Holdings, which has investments in both Paragon and Service Graphics. The purchase was made in part to boost Paragon’s wide-format display and advertising services, as part of plans to expand its business services portfolio. Speaking of the acquisition, Guilhem Boucon, chief strategy officer at Paragon, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity to expand our capabilities in key verticals like sports and events, while strengthening our position in core markets such as FMCG and retail. By Jonathan Pert Major leadership reshuffle at Victory UPM Raflatac business area renamed The business area and reporting segment of materials manufacturer, UPM Raflatac, has been renamed UPM Adhesive Materials. The name change aims to support the business area's strategic direction to accelerate its growth beyond label materials into graphics solutions and specialty tapes, with UPM Raflatac remaining a product brand in the label materials area. The name change, which has been effective as of June 12th, will be in use from UPM’s Q2 2025 interim report onwards. The newly-named UPM Adhesive Materials has expanded its range of graphics solutions significantly in recent years through the acquisitions of AMC AG, Grafityp, and Metamark. Hampshire Flag Company chosen as Team GB supplier for LA Olympics Hampshire Flag Company (HFC) has renewed its licence as the official flag supplier for Team GB at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). Launching in a little over three years’ time, Los Angeles will provide the backdrop to the latest edition of the Olympic Games, with five new sports approved including T20 cricket, lacrosse, and squash. HFC will provide the flags for Team GB for the third consecutive Games, having previously been awarded licensing agreements for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Victory Design has announced the retirement of managing director Carole Smy, amidst a series of changes to company leadership. Smy, who is due to retire in 2026, will be succeeded by Justin Hines, who currently works as Victory’s sales director. Smy will continue to support the company throughout the coming year on a consultative basis. Two further long-standing members are also due to enter new roles within the company, with Zoe Reddish fulfilling the role of finance director and Neil Basford taking on the role of operations director. HFC was chosen as Team GB’s official supplier following success at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Guilhem Boucon, chief strategy officer at Paragon From the 1950s, the company made medical training aids and practical joke products By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The renamed Adhesive Materials unit employs around 3,200 people By Jonathan Pert [L to R] Neil Basford, Zoe Reddish, and Justin Hines

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