Navy Blue teams up with Northcross

Edinburgh and London-based consultancy Navy Blue has formed a strategic alliance with acquisitive Scottish design group Northcross to offer improved service to their clients.

The two consultancies will continue to design independently, but Navy Blue will have access to The Northcross Group’s hi-tech manufacturing facilities and exhibition expertise. Furthermore, Navy Blue’s production staff will join Northcross’s 40-strong manufacturing company within its new, £1m facility in East Lothian.

“We’ve outgrown our production facility in size and skill base,” says Navy Blue joint managing director Douglas Alexander. “The new partnership is a legally binding five-year agreement.

“We felt that it was more positive to join with Northcross than invest further in human resources here. Both groups are open-minded about the alliance and will review it as and when required.”

John Slater, chief executive of The Northcross Group, adds: “We hope to benefit from Navy Blue’s expertise in Web design. In the future, we may consider different ways of doing things, but are keeping an open mind at present.”

Northcross has made no secret of its wish to expand, and has made a number of acquisitions, including Ideas and BCA, based in York, in recent years. It has acquired additional space next to its Edinburgh base to allow its design team to grow and has bought a site with planning permission next to the Ideas offices.

Navy Blue acquired Edinburgh exhibition and interiors group Elliott McDougall two years ago as part of its drive to become a multidisciplinary business and broaden its client base.