In 2016 Astley expanded further through its partnership with Kettering based company Sign of the Times.
Sign of the Times provides a comprehensive range of sign, display and point of sale services from design through to installation.
The company philosophy is to develop a close relationship with clients enabling them to work on long term and specialist projects.
From their beginnings as a sign manufacturer they have developed their facilities to provide a comprehensive range of display and promotional services embracing the latest technology and manufacturing facilities.
Both Astley and Sign of the Times will work together to deliver key projects for leading clients, utilising the greater capacity and services by the partnership.
Sign of the Times won Sign of the Year at the British Signs and Graphics Association Awards in 2015 for their installation “Timeless” a fully functional clock at Senator House in London and followed with their Craftsman of the Year award at the 2016 event. Their Timeless installation also took GOLD Award in the Non-Printed Signage category at the 2016 FESPA awards.
More information can be found at www.signofthetimes.co.uk
1924 - Astley Signs begins trading in Lancashire, UK as H. Astley & Co.
1988 - Two of the current directors establish a 1500sq ft metal shop in north east England and trade as Astley Signs North East
1990 - Following a management buy out the company is now The Redforrest Group and moves to new premises in Gateshead
1992 - Professional Sign Systems is launched as a trade division
2003 - Sainsbury's joins the company's blue chip client list
2004 - The company opens an installation hub in Glasgow
2006 - The Group opens a depot in Leeds
2007 - The Redforrest Group opens an office in Milton Keynes and the company's print division, Jigsaw, begins providing point of sale and retail graphics to a range of clients
2010 - The company opens a purpose built head office in Gateshead and Saltwell Signs becomes part of The Redforrest Group
2012 - The company re-brands as Astley offering Astley Signs, Astley Imaging and Astley Maintenance with offices in Gateshead, Leeds, Glasgow and Milton Keynes
2014 - Astley is named Manufacturer of the Year at the Tyneside and Northumberland Business Awards
2015 - Astley has now been owned by the current Directors for 25 years
2016 - Astley and Sign of the Times are now partners offering a wide range of traditional and architectural signage