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Displayplan

Retail display consultancy

YFM investment
£2m - 9.59x return
Investment date(s)
2012-2024
Deal type
Buyout
Location
Stevenage

"YFM has played a vital role in the success of our business. This latest phase of our journey is the culmination of a 12-year partnership, which has seen us not only benefit from the financial backing of YFM but also from its expert steer and insight. "

Scott Morris, Managing Director

Key Information

The Business

Displayplan is a market leader in designing, delivering, and managing retail display solutions for some of the world’s most prominent brands and retailers. The business offers an end-to-end service that includes design, international procurement, manufacturing, assembly, and post-integration monitoring. With a global footprint, Displayplan operates from its Hertfordshire headquarters alongside offices in Shanghai, China, and Chicago, USA. Its diverse client portfolio includes leading names such as LEGO, Mars, Amazon, and Meta.

Why We Invested

YFM Equity Partners invested in Displayplan through the British Smaller Companies VCT funds, identifying its strong potential to innovate and grow within the retail display sector. The partnership focused on enabling international expansion, developing a digital consultancy offering, and navigating challenges like evolving retail trends and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growth Story

Under YFM’s investment, Displayplan achieved remarkable progress:

  • Expanded operations globally, establishing presences in key markets such as China and the USA.
  • Built specialised teams in design and digital consultancy, enhancing its service offerings.
  • Increased profits sixfold in the last five years despite significant market headwinds.
  • Established a reputation as an award-winning, innovative provider of end-to-end retail display solutions.

Outcome

In 2024, YFM successfully exited its investment in Displayplan, generating a 10x return for investors through a sale to HH Global, a Blackstone-backed global leader in marketing communications. The exit marks the culmination of a long-term partnership that fostered substantial growth and positioned Displayplan for continued success under its new ownership.