Our History
Since 1976, it’s been our business to provide complete solutions for businesses that produce signs and displays, digital prints, speciality graphics, vehicle wraps and many other forms of visual communication. For over 40 years, Spandex has helped shape the modern sign industry.The Beginning
Charlie and Mary Dobson who created the first modular aluminium sign systems product founded Spandex (SPecialised ANodiseD EXtrusions)
1976Gerber Graphix 4
Spandex introduces the Gerber Graphix 4 in Europe, the world’s first sign making computer
1983Avery Dennison® Partnership
Beginning of a business relationship with Avery Dennison®
Visit Avery 198425,000 Sold!
Spandex sells 25,000 Gerber cutting systems in Europe
1986Manufacturing plant
Spandex acquires materials manufacturing facility in Lancaster, UK
1987Brunner
Brunner Folien in Germany merges with Spandex. During the 1990’s Spandex continues to expand into Europe and Australia
1988The Gerber EDGE™
Spandex launches the world’s first digital printer for outdoor graphics – the Gerber EDGE
1993ImagePerfect™ Launch
Spandex launches the ImagePerfect™ brand of signage materials
Visit ImagePerfect 1998Gerber Scientific
Gerber Scientific, Inc. acquires Spandex
1999Calibration Centre
Spandex establishes its Calibration Centre in Switzerland
2004Affordable UV Printer
Gerber Solara UV2 becomes the first affordable UV printer
2005Gilde Buy Out Partners
Management and Gilde Buy Out Partners acquire Spandex from Gerber Scientific, Inc.
2011LMV AG
Spandex acquires LMV AG in Switzerland, distributors of rigid media
2013Sanvido SRL
Spandex grows again with the Italian aquisition of Sanvido SRL, one of the largest distributors of architectural products in Europe
2013Qualsign and Plas Image
Spandex acquires Qualsign and Plas Image - Australian distributors of rigid materials and digital media
2013OTS
Spandex expands its geographic reach with the acquisition of OTS, an established provider to the Turkish signage and graphics market
Visit OTS 2014€200 million
Spandex reaches over €200 million in revenue
2014ImageBond™ Launch
Spandex launches ImageBond™ Aluminium Composite Material range
2014Polynorma
Spandex acquires Polynorma - a Spanish supplier of equipment, materials and inks
Visit Polynorma 2014Proga Plastics
Spandex acquires Dutch supplier of rigid media products and bespoke cutting capabilities, Proga Plastics
Visit Proga Plastics 2015Spandex Headquarters
New Spandex Head Office opens in Switzerland
2015Chequers Capital
Management and Chequers Capital acquire Spandex from Gilde Buy Out Partners
2016Webshop and Customer Portal
Spandex introduces e-commerce system to enable on-line purchasing
Spandex 24/7 2016Bibiemme
Spandex acquires Bibiemme, the number one distributor for the graphics market in the North East of Italy
Visit Bibiemme 201640 Years
Spandex celebrates 40 years in the sign and graphics industries
2016Schneidler Grafiska
Spandex acquires Schneidler Grafiska, a leading distributor to the sign and display industries in Sweden and Norway
Schneidler (Sweden) Schneidler (Norway) 2016Skangraf AS
Spandex acquires Norwegian distributor Skangraf AS, an established distributor to the Norwegian sign and display market
Visit Skangraf 2017ImagePerfect™ Foam Launch
Spandex launches ImagePerfect foam sheet range
2017