The Pearce Signs Group is an industry-leader; probably Europe’s largest sign maker; in the top six in the world, yet it remains an entirely private family-owned company. Samuel, the founder, signed his formal indentures in 1791.

Throughout much of the 19th century, sign making remained an individual craft operation, typically illustrated in paint on wood. From its earliest beginnings, Pearce Signs has operated in South-East London, moving on several occasions, before settling at its present New Cross head office. Then, as now, the early Pearces recognised that success is in the effective marriage of sign making and design and in the transfer of two-dimensional images to three.

As the Victorian era closed, the company was beginning a process of steady expansion under H.J. Pearce, the present chairman’s grandfather. Pearce Signs was pioneering many new developments, such as gas and later electrical illumination. With the introduction of Neon around 1930, sign making entered a new era and Pearce Signs were commissioned to sign the ‘new’ Odeon in Leicester Square, London. Soon after that, Harold Pearce led a first move into the international marketplace.

By the 1960s, wood and paint had metamorphosised into plastics, metals, and complex systems of illumination. Pearce Signs’ typical customers were now large corporations, concerned with exacting identity programmes. The result was a customer list second to none and an enviable reputation for performance and quality. With that, the Group’s expertise was channelled into new areas, such as Security Systems and the acquisition of Davand.

Now 200 years on, it seems that we are again on the verge of a new era. After forty years of restrictions, the sign industry is undergoing a period of official ‘de-regulation’ – opening up new creative and manufacturing possibilities. Signs themselves are returning more and more, and their marketing roots and the range of applications is increasing. It promises to be interesting…