The
Story
1983
The business is founded in a 500 sq shop premises in Broadwater, Stevenage by Lawrie Alderman (current Chairman).
Working as a general Photographic Company, the TPS team consisted of just 3 members of staff.
The business is founded in a 500 sq shop premises in Broadwater, Stevenage by Lawrie Alderman (current Chairman).
Working as a general Photographic Company, the TPS team consisted of just 3 members of staff.
Investments into a Hasselblad and a Sinar large format camera were used to shoot for clients such as Rialto Homes and Trust House Forte.
We acquired the ability to make large Cibachrome transparencies for counter lightboxes, for original transparencies, that were shooting for the fast food industry.
1984
TPS made the move to a derelict factory based in Baldock which was soon converted into a studio. Purchase of a processor and several devere enlargers for commercial large format prints added to the services that TPS were able to offer.
It was here that Arthur Davies (current Director) joined the team!
TPS made the move to a derelict factory based in Baldock which was soon converted into a studio. Purchase of a processor and several devere enlargers for commercial large format prints added to the services that TPS were able to offer.
It was here that Arthur Davies (current Director) joined the team!
1986
Extending the building to house a giant automated wall mounted photographic paper roll box (one of a kind), a film processing plant, new mounting facilities and much improved offices.
We also extended our client list with new customers such as Trust House, Dorothy Perkins and then Burton Group.
Mark Adams (current Director) joined as our salesman and started selling our own ‘Adlite’light boxes that we had designed.
Extending the building to house a giant automated wall mounted photographic paper roll box (one of a kind), a film processing plant, new mounting facilities and much improved offices.
We also extended our client list with new customers such as Trust House, Dorothy Perkins and then Burton Group.
Mark Adams (current Director) joined as our salesman and started selling our own ‘Adlite’light boxes that we had designed.
1992
By 1992 digital printing started in a small way...
TPS were one of the first to get involved and set up “Imagine” Digital retouching with top end silicone graphics computers. We produced a lot of work for C&A at this me with the assistance of the “new wave” Mac’s that then started to take over the industry.
By 1992 digital printing started in a small way...
TPS were one of the first to get involved and set up “Imagine” Digital retouching with top end silicone graphics computers. We produced a lot of work for C&A at this me with the assistance of the “new wave” Mac’s that then started to take over the industry.
1997 - 2000
In 1997 TPS brought a large factory in Letchworth.
Afer a few years of much needed renovation, TPS made their move across to Jubilee Road along with their new and improved sales and production office.
TPS’s growth in both space and employees continued alongside the purchase and set up of our first factory. It was here that Nigel Darter (current H&S Manager) and Jamie Fone first started the production of our on going successful manufacturing department.
In 1997 TPS brought a large factory in Letchworth.
Afer a few years of much needed renovation, TPS made their move across to Jubilee Road along with their new and improved sales and production office.
TPS’s growth in both space and employees continued alongside the purchase and set up of our first factory. It was here that Nigel Darter (current H&S Manager) and Jamie Fone first started the production of our on going successful manufacturing department.
2009
In 2009 TPS became the owners of EML Retail Display Limited which extends and complements our business offer, providing standard retail display items from leafet holders to shelf edge ticketing.
In 2009 TPS became the owners of EML Retail Display Limited which extends and complements our business offer, providing standard retail display items from leafet holders to shelf edge ticketing.
2010
Over these couple of years, significant machinery purchases were made that saw very impacting results...
Our impressively large Zund flat bed cutter router doesn’t disappoint with its extensive capabilities. As a result of its high-speed cutting of materials, over the years it has eliminated a considerable amount of man hours and laborious work along with extending our work effciency.
Over these couple of years, significant machinery purchases were made that saw very impacting results...
Our impressively large Zund flat bed cutter router doesn’t disappoint with its extensive capabilities. As a result of its high-speed cutting of materials, over the years it has eliminated a considerable amount of man hours and laborious work along with extending our work effciency.
The purchase of our jumbo HP 3000 L360 printers has boosted print output from 50m per eight hour shift to 300m, as well as boosting eco-friendly water based inks.
Our OCÉ 550 Arizona direct to media printer has proven to be a great investment within the studio department with its fast and efficient printing onto materials up to 50mm thick.
2013
TPS were runners up of the 2013 POPAI awards.
We were awarded a silver for our installation at M&S Cheshire Oaks an opinion forming sustainable store concept on behalf of M&S.
In the same year we were very proud winners of the M&S Plan A Property Environmental award that recognises businesses that have taken its environmental, social and financial performance to the next level.
TPS were runners up of the 2013 POPAI awards.
We were awarded a silver for our installation at M&S Cheshire Oaks an opinion forming sustainable store concept on behalf of M&S.
In the same year we were very proud winners of the M&S Plan A Property Environmental award that recognises businesses that have taken its environmental, social and financial performance to the next level.
2013
TPS celebrate their 30th year anniversary!
TPS celebrate their 30th year anniversary!
2014
In 2014 Neil Back, MBE and former England world cup winning back row player, joined TPS as our business development director.
In 2014 Neil Back, MBE and former England world cup winning back row player, joined TPS as our business development director.
Tim Prodger, a long standing member
of our successful sales team, was made
a director in 2014.
of our successful sales team, was made
a director in 2014.
Winners of the POPAI awards 2014 for our work on M&S Monks Cross where we recycled old acrylic displays in Milan to raw sheet and made new ones for the sustainable store concept.
2016
In 2016 two new large lasers where purchased to support the continuously busy acrylic department. The result of this boosted production massively along with the efficiency of our work load.
In 2016 two new large lasers where purchased to support the continuously busy acrylic department. The result of this boosted production massively along with the efficiency of our work load.
2018
In 2018 we had a complete refurbishment of our factory and manufacturing departments. The most significant change being the addition of the large factory extension which will cater perfectly for our goods in and out department.
Over the past 35 years TPS Visual Communications has grown considerably from a 3 man team to successfully strong work force of around 45 people.
In this time we have developed and extended our skills and facilities which subsequently has lead us to become one of leading companies in retail display.
In 2018 we had a complete refurbishment of our factory and manufacturing departments. The most significant change being the addition of the large factory extension which will cater perfectly for our goods in and out department.
Over the past 35 years TPS Visual Communications has grown considerably from a 3 man team to successfully strong work force of around 45 people.
In this time we have developed and extended our skills and facilities which subsequently has lead us to become one of leading companies in retail display.