SUPPLIER SPOLIGHT / EFKA FRAME SOLUTIONS One step into last year’s European Sign Expo at FESPA and it was hard to miss the gigantic space rocket filling a large amount of space towards the front of the hall. The stand was created to demonstrate the “endless possibilities” of aluminium textile frames and lightboxes – two components that are highly used in signage. The stand belonged to EFKA, a company that originally was established in 1888 as a wholesaler of wooden frames, operating under the name Foppe Klijnstra & Son. On the stand was a collection of EFKA staff members, including its UK team, which were getting ready to launch the company’s new webshop following EFKA’s strategic acquisition of DPI UK in October 2023. Nearly a year later, and EFKA has continued to aim for the stars by embracing innovation, growing its UK footprint, and investing in new products and services. A New Frame of Mind Founded in 2012, DPI UK was founded by Paul Tomlinson as a manufacturer of SEG/TFD frames and lightboxes. In previous years, DPI worked closely with EFKA, a company headquartered in the Netherlands, which would supply DPI with aluminium profiles for its products. The close relationship eventually led to EFKA strategically acquiring DPI in October 2023 in order to strengthen its UK presence and increase turnover in the region. Selling products exclusively to the print and signage industries, EKFA Frame Solutions is able to produce frames and lightboxes with printed fabrics so that the end-user is able to receive a final product from the supplier. Paul Tomlinson, sales director at EKFA Frame Solutions, says: “We have the largest range of tensioned fabric systems (TFS) in the UK which can be wall-mounted, freestanding, integrated into retail designs, or used in exhibitions. We also produce 3D canopies that hang over exhibition stands. All products are available with or without internal LED illumination.” Tomlinson describes the company’s growth as being “steady and purposeful”, two words that could also describe the company’s products. Since the company’s inception, Tomlinson has clearly been focused on building the very best team possible Currently the team comprises of 12 employees both new and old to the company with varying degrees of experience. In 2025, EKFA Frame Solutions hopes to further expand its team, ensuring it chooses employees that are positive and productive in order to fit with the existing team’s dynamic. Speaking about EFKA’s values, Tomlinson adds: “We avoid clichéd corporate straplines and instead demonstrate our values through our work. Our team’s shared purpose drives us to deliver the best solutions for our trade partners, helping them maintain thriving businesses. EFKA Frame Solutions is a close-knit team that socialise together, take pride in our work with an infectious enthusiasm, which we then pass on to our clients.” When it comes to EFKA’s facility, the company is located in Castle Donington at Endless Possibilities 36 Issue 257 - February / March 2025 www.signlink.co.uk After being acquired in 2023, EFKA Frame Solutions has been busy behind the scenes bringing new products and services to its customers. We look at the UK company’s history, its beliefs, and delve into what it hopes to achieve in 2025 ▲ The team at EFKA Frame Solutions including Meg the dog Our team’s shared purpose drives us to deliver the best solutions for our trade partners, helping them maintain thriving businesses
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