Loewy buys branding expertise

Raymond Loewy International has merged with two design groups: McBride’s and Grandfield and Workhouse Design. The mergers are the first stage of a planned expansion programme that will see the combined group employing more than 75 staff by early next year.

The trio will trade as Loewy Group, headed by chairman Patrick Farrell who projects an annual turnover of £8m. He expects to expand staff by a further 50 per cent in the next six months, focusing on the recruitment of digital media specialists.

Raymond Loewy International, established by Raymond Loewy in 1929, designed the current Coca Cola bottle and the interiors of the Nasa Skylab; past work includes Air France Concorde interiors and corporate identities for Shell, Exxon and Total Oil.

Corporate literature specialist McBride’s and Grandfield was formed in 1989, while Workhouse Design, established in the same year, works in digital media, branding, packaging, literature and corporate identity.

“The dialogue between Raymond Loewy International, McBride’s and Grandfield and Workhouse Design has been going on for at least a year and there are other elements that will be coming in with it,” says Farrell.

“The merger strengthens us on the literature side particularly, which augments our front line branding and corporate identity work. The combined expertise of our three businesses gives us a powerful platform from which to create a formidable branding offer for the future, combining our unique track record with the strengths of our merger partners.”

Farrell says appointments will be made as things progress over the next six months. “Digital specialists will augment and support what we already have in the new formation. It’s the way of the future,” he adds.

The new Loewy Group’s management team has been drawn from all three businesses, with Bryan Wilsher appointed managing director and Chris Vane the creative director.