Exhibition Stand Manufacturers

What Exhibition Stand Manufacturers does

ESM (Exhibition Stands Manufacturers Ltd) is a UK-based B2B exhibition stand design, manufacturing, and installation contractor founded in 1991 and headquartered in Sittingbourne, Kent. The company serves enterprise exhibitors across at least eleven industries — including retail technology, financial services, agriculture, marine technology, food and hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, veterinary, chemicals, sports, and payments/gaming — at major UK and European venues such as NEC Birmingham, Excel London, RAI Amsterdam, and Messe Düsseldorf. Named customers include Verifone, OpenPayd, Daon, Kikkoman, Hutchinsons, Mizuno, Chanelle Pharma, Processing.com, and Lucas Systems, with several relationships spanning multiple years and events.

The company operates a purpose-built manufacturing facility equipped with CNC machinery, extensive plant, and dedicated storage racks, staffed by in-house skilled craftsmen handling carpentry, joinery, laminating, and finishing. Core offerings comprise custom-built one-off exhibition stands and modular reusable systems, with adjacent services including shell-scheme fitting, conference and live event contracting, showroom and retail fit-outs, and secure inter-event storage. Project scale ranges from 4sqm stands to over 200sqm structures incorporating LED lighting, Acupanel cladding, GOBO projection, custom furniture, and integrated AV. The firm holds ESSA Health & Safety accreditation, ESSA Tier IV Sustainability Accreditation (2024), and an EcoVadis Bronze Medal (June 2025).

ESM generates revenue through project-based professional services contracts, with pricing driven by stand size, complexity, lighting, AV, graphics, flooring, and custom features, quoted following design consultation. Go-to-market combines direct sales (phone and email), agency partnerships — notably The Circus Design — venue-based referrals, content marketing through a blog and active social channels, and participation in industry trade shows. The company is independently owned, with Rob Brackstone as Managing Director and Sofia Ventura as a named Project Manager; it has no disclosed parent, funding rounds, or M&A activity.

Name

Exhibition Stand Manufacturers

Legal name

Exhibition Stands Manufacturers Ltd

Website

https://esm-uk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESM (Exhibition Stands Manufacturers Ltd) is a UK-based B2B exhibition stand contractor that designs, manufactures, and installs custom and modular stands for enterprise clients across multiple industries at major UK and European venues, operating from a purpose-built facility in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Exhibition Stand Design, Manufacturing, and Installation Services

NAICS

Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

akta.pro primary industry

Exhibitions, Trade Shows & Booth Management (HSACADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Booth Maintenance, Refurbishment & Reuse Programs (THAHAHAM)

Keywords

• Exhibition stand design
• Exhibition stand manufacturing
• Trade show services
• Modular exhibition stands
• Live event contracting

Headquarters

HQ city

Sittingbourne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Design Services: Professional design consultation and project management for exhibition spaces, working with clients to develop design briefs and create engaging stand environments
2. Exhibition Stand Manufacturing & Build: In-house manufacturing of custom and modular exhibition stands, including counters, displays, wall structures, and custom furniture using skilled craftsmen
3. Onsite Installation & Dismantling: Complete project delivery including installation, health and safety management, liaison with venue contractors, and post-show dismantling
4. Storage Services: Secure storage solutions for reusable stand elements between events, enabling clients to adopt sustainable exhibiting approaches
5. Showroom & Fit-Out Services: Department store and storeroom fit-outs and installations, including work at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Exhibition Stand Manufacturers (ESM) is a UK-based contractor that designs, manufactures, and installs custom and modular exhibition stands for trade shows, conferences, and live events. The company operates a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Sittingbourne, Kent, employing skilled craftsmen and project managers to deliver end-to-end stand solutions ranging from 4sqm shell scheme fittings to 200+sqm bespoke builds, including storage, logistics, and on-site installation services.

Product overview

ESM (Exhibition Stands Manufacturers Ltd) is a trade fair exhibition stand design, manufacture, and installation company operating from Kent, UK. The company offers a unified service spanning exhibition stand design, manufacturing and build, project management, and storage solutions. Core offerings include custom-built one-off exhibition stands and modular exhibition stands (reusable across multiple events), with services extending to conference and live event contracting, shell scheme fitting, and showroom/retail fit-outs. The company operates a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Sittingbourne and provides end-to-end logistics, installation, and removal to major UK and European venues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibition Stand Design Custom and creative design services for exhibition stands, trade fair booths, and event spaces that communicate client marketing strategies and brand identity to target audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lighting can increase awareness of company by 30-50%
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Circus DesigncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExhibition design agency partnership where The Circus Design brings clients to ESM for manufacturing and build services. Example: collaborated on Hutchinsons stand at LAMMA Show and Cereals Event.
• AquAid WatercoolersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting access to clean water in Africa through AquAid's Watercoolers initiative

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Quadrant2Design: UK-based exhibition stand design and build company offering custom and modular stands across the UK and Europe. Direct competitor in the same customer segment (B2B exhibitors) with comparable end-to-end service model.
• Nimlok: Global exhibition stand builder with strong UK presence providing custom and modular stand design, build, and installation. Directly comparable on service offering, customer base, and geographic reach.
• S1 Exhibitions: UK exhibition stand design and build contractor offering bespoke and modular solutions with in-house manufacturing. Closely comparable in size, service scope, and UK/European venue reach.
• Matic Group: UK-based exhibition stand design and build company with end-to-end services including design, production, install, and storage. Similar mid-sized competitor targeting enterprise exhibitors.
• Skyline Whitespace: UK exhibition stand builder delivering custom, modular, and double-deck stands with in-house production. Directly comparable service mix and B2B exhibitor customer base.
• Proactive International: UK exhibition design and build company providing full-service stand solutions to enterprise clients across multiple verticals. Comparable in service scope, customer mix, and UK/European geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Octanorm UK: Part of the global Octanorm exhibition systems group, offering modular aluminium-based stand systems and full build services across the UK and Europe. Broader product portfolio and international backing than ESM.
• ProExhibits: Large US-headquartered exhibition stand design and build firm with European delivery capability, serving enterprise clients with custom exhibits. Comparable offering but at significantly larger scale.

Others

• ESSA (Event Suppliers & Services Association): Industry body for UK event suppliers that ESM belongs to; accredits competitors on health & safety and sustainability. Ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but defines the standards ESM must meet.
• The Circus Design: Exhibition design agency partner of ESM that brings client projects for manufacturing and build. Channel partner / adjacent design firm rather than a direct competitor, illustrating ESM's agency-led GTM motion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/esmltd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbTJlcQlcjbVI-QhCLDh06w
• Facebookfacebook.com/100069847029141
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esm-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/esmukltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exhibition Stand Manufacturers