70 Years of Signs, Success, and Surprises – Happy Birthday Stocksigns!
This year, Stocksigns turns 70 and what a journey we’ve has been! From a small family business in 1955 to one of the UK’s leading signage manufacturers, Stocksigns has grown, evolved, and innovated every step of the way.
At the beginning…
It all started with the Bidwell brothers and their vision for quality signage under the name Action Industrial Products.
Back then, the world of signs was simple, but Stocksigns was already thinking ahead. By 1960, the company had introduced vinyl into its production, modernising its processes and expanding the types of signage it could offer. Six years later, in 1966, the company rebranded as Stocksigns Ltd, making its focus on specialist signage crystal clear.
The next few decades were full of milestones. In 1989, Stocksigns joined the British & Foreign Wharf Co. Ltd family and celebrated record annual sales a sign (pun intended) of the growth to come. By 1992, the company achieved ISO 9002 certification, cementing its commitment to quality and reliability that has carried it through the years.
The 2000s brought celebrations and expansion. 50 years of Stocksigns in 2005 called for a garden party to remember! And just a few years later, in 2008, Stocksigns acquired Brunel Signs, bringing in vitreous enamel signage the same type seen across the London Underground. Technology and innovation were clearly part of the company’s DNA.
Digital Printing era…
And the innovation didn’t stop there. By 2010, Stocksigns had embraced digital printing and invested in its first digital cutter, boosting precision and efficiency. A year later, the company acquired Messagemaker Displays, expanding into LED and programmable signage, proving that Stocksigns was ready for the digital age.
Not everything was about signs on walls, though. Stocksigns’ team has always loved a challenge literally! From taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in 2017 to sleeping outdoors for the Sleep Easy event in 2019, staff have pushed themselves to raise money for causes like RoSPA and YMCA Surrey.
2020: The year no one predicted…
Then came 2020 a year nobody could have predicted. Stocksigns adapted swiftly, producing social distancing markers and hygiene signage to help businesses navigate the pandemic safely. The company’s commitment to excellence continued with Triple ISO Certification in 2021, and the launch of innovative products like the Fire Safety Wayfinding system in 2022.
Stocksigns isn’t just about signs!
And of course, Stocksigns is thinking about the future too. Solar panels, Impala Printer 4, Zund Cutter, and HP Latex Printers are just some of the ways the company is boosting efficiency, precision, and sustainability in 2023 and 2024.
But Stocksigns isn’t just about signs! It’s about people, fun, and community too. And what better way to celebrate 70 amazing years than with a summer party? The 70th birthday bash was nothing short of legendary: cupcakes stacked high, games to make everyone laugh, heartfelt speeches, and a photobooth capturing all the fun moments. It was a perfect mix of nostalgia, celebration, and pure Stocksigns spirit.
From vinyl to LEDs, enamel to digital, and garden parties to solar panels, Stocksigns has never stopped growing, innovating, or making the world a safer place one sign at a time.
Here’s to 70 years of signage, innovation, and good times and to many more decades of creativity, community, and bold ideas. Happy Birthday, Stocksigns!
