Musselburgh-based Eastern Exhibition & Display celebrates its 30th birthday this month by reporting a recession-busting 10% rise in turnover to £3.2m.

Established in Edinburgh in 1979 as a processing lab, Eastern has consistently kept pace with the technological revolution that has taken place within the processing industry over the last three decades to reinvent itself as a specialist in the production of large format exhibition and display materials for creative agencies, finance, retail and other sectors.

But rather than reflecting on past glories, Eastern is instead intent on looking to its 30th birthday as a springboard for the next phase of its expansion.

Ewen McLean, managing director of Eastern, said: "No-one can afford to sit still in our industry. The reason why we’ve reached the ripe old age of 30 is because we’ve always been early adopters of new technology to keep ourselves and our clients one step ahead of the competition."


Now, together with fellow director Janet Lee Adam, Mr McLean intends to expand the firm further through a combination of organic growth, diversification and acquisition.

He said: "Like most other companies, we have not been unaffected by the recession. However, we have made some significant cost savings through entering into a period of renegotiations with our suppliers and are now in a position where we are actively seeking to win more contracts, particularly from the public sector.

"We are also reviewing the market to consider any potential acquisitions of companies either providing a niche service complementary to our existing offering or located within an area, such as Aberdeen, where we currently have only limited market presence."

Meanwhile, the firm continue to grow Eastern organically and through diversification. The successful introduction of warehouse storage and an installation service a few years ago has encouraged the business to develop a new hire service which they hope to be in a position to launch this autumn.

Employing a staff of 35, Eastern's products and services, from support with initial concept to completion, include: exhibition stands; digital printing; studio services; vehicle livery; signage; interiors; project management; joinery; finishing; storage and logistics and installation.

(GK/JM)