Repositioning Ruddocks, 139 years of not standing still

Family-run, Lincolnshire-based design and print agency Ruddocks has repositioned as a creative production agency. Having seen some big changes in recent years, including the impact of global events, shifts in markets and changing demands of customers, they have been on a journey of transformation, innovation, adaption and growth.

Having a history dating back 140 years, they owe much of their success to the strong relationships they have built, with both clients and their network of suppliers. In many cases, their suppliers are much more than just that – they are partners; trusted organisations and people who have become core to the value they add to their clients.

Up to the 1990s, Ruddocks specialised almost exclusively in print, but the growth of their design studio, a now 11-strong team, has seen this develop into another core arm of the business. As the demand for different creative services has continued to increase and diversify, so has their offering and experience. They have embraced digital and technology-driven solutions and built partnerships to support a bigger offering, pushing additional services which have become key features in the expertise their clients have come to expect.

And this is why they have taken the steps to re-position as a creative production agency, to help bring together and communicate all their in-house resource and expertise, alongside the skills and experience added by their network of key suppliers.

Collaboratively, they offer much more than ever before, moving beyond the traditional services of a design agency and printers; now working with clients on video projects, photography, web development, and animation, through to merchandise, events staging, copywriting and marketing and communications consultancy, to name but a few!

Creative Director, Ian Cant commented:

“Creativity isn’t just about design, it’s how we approach absolutely everything at Ruddocks, from customer service to delivery, it’s about solving problems and developing solutions; put simply, we bring in the right people with the right skills at the right time to ensure we deliver results for our clients, whilst taking the stress away from sourcing multiple suppliers”.
There are some subtle visual changes to the Ruddocks brand which support and reflect how they have developed; moving towards a cleaner, more mature visual identity, whilst retaining an understated approach to allow the quality of their clients’ work to remain the focal point of everything they do.

They have also continued to push the human element of the brand, including more real and people-focused imagery to showcase their biggest and most important asset, their people.
Having emerged from the last few years in a strong position, Ruddocks are prepared for the future.

Ruddocks Managing Director Paul Banton added:

“Our evolution to a creative production agency better reflects who we are today and is a robust, sustainable platform from which to continue to grow. The Ruddocks story continues, and we are very excited about the chapters ahead!”

You can see a flavour of some of the exciting projects Ruddocks have been working on here