Lighting specialist Classic Technical Services expands north

23 May 2005

Lighting and power distribution expert Classic Technical Services is to expand its nationwide presence through a new office in Manchester.

The business, part of Thorns Group, will use the new operation to target additional contracts in the events, exhibitions and conference sectors across the Midlands, north of England and Scotland.

It will work closely with Classic Technical Services’ head office in London, which has already established a market-leading reputation for its creative skills and technical expertise.

The expansion into Manchester is to be spearheaded by Jim Stone, Classical Technical Services’ Operations Manager, who has worked for the company for the past decade. He says the new Manchester office, which officially begins business on June 1, has already started targeting a range of potential clients including marquee companies, event organisers and leading venues.

Jim explained: “Operating out of Manchester will put Classic Technical Services in an even stronger position nationally, whether we’re looking to supply to a modestly sized marquee party, a Bar Mitzvah, a product launch or a large corporate hospitality function. We’re all looking forward to expanding Classic’s presence across the UK market.”

Classic Technical Services – one of four divisions within Thorns Group – provides a broad range of expertise and equipment, including lighting, sound systems, power distribution, plasma screens and audio visual.

Its new Manchester operation will be based in Thorns Group’s existing offices in Eccles, from which the group already acts as a leading supplier of furniture and catering equipment throughout the north of England and Scotland.

As Jim explained: “Classic Technical Services’ new operation will be working very closely with Thorns Group’s existing teams in Manchester and Birmingham. We will be able to share databases – and to provide clients in the events, exhibitions and conference sectors with an all-round service.”

Thorns Group’s Managing Director Graham Langley-Jones said: “As a group, Thorns is already a strong market player across the country. Expanding our Classic Technical Services operation into Manchester will enable us to further improve the high standards of service we offer to our clients.”