John Truslove helps exhibitions contractor Vertex double size of Redditch operation

Ross Wardle of Vertex and Ben Truslove

Just a year after expanding into new premises in Redditch, fast-growing exhibition displays firm Vertex has doubled the size of its operation at the town’s Park Farm Industrial Estate.

Ben Truslove, joint managing director at commercial property agents John Truslove, worked with Vertex founders Lewis Walters and Ross Wardle to enable them to secure a five-year lease on a 5,340sq ft unit.

The unit, at 2a Springside, is next door but one from the company’s existing base at unit 4a, on Howard Road.

Ross Wardle explained: “We have just undergone a major rebranding exercise to capitalise on the impact we are having in the exhibition’s industry, at the same time as our growing workload led us to look for additional production and storage facilities.

“We see ourselves as bringing something new and exciting to the industry, even something a bit edgy in terms of our approach and design. As well as designing and making stands for clients taking part in exhibitions and trade shows we offer them access to a modular system called beMatrix.

“It enables us to combine style and impact with speed and a more cost-effective approach for some clients. We have also launched a Vertex rental arm as well as relaunching our website -wearevertex.co.uk – to reflect our maverick approach.

“As a result we are winning even more work with clients in the UK and across Europe. We are creating exhibition stands in Paris, Athens and Amsterdam, as well as working with a range of customers preparing for this summer’s Farnborough Air Show.

“Our newly-expanded base in Redditch, along with our sister site in Coventry, give us the ability to handle even more work as our impact on the exhibitions industry continues to pay dividends.”

He added: “We have worked closely with Ben Truslove, the joint managing director at John Truslove, over the past couple of years as we established our base at Springside.

“Ben and the team have been very helpful throughout, keeping us informed and always responsive to our calls. There’s a good reason why they are the go-to commercial property agents in this area.”

The company launched in 2022 after Ross Wardle and Lewis Walters saw a gap in the exhibition supplier market as the events industry began to recover post-Covid.

Vertex is also continuing to recruit many of the people who previously lost their jobs after Covid forced the cancellation of most exhibitions and trade shows.

Ben Truslove helped Vertex secure a five-year lease on the second Springside unit.

He said: “Lewis and Ross have continued to build their business after moving on the estate last year.

“They spotted a gap in the market as a result of the impact of Covid and have taken advantage of renewed growth in the exhibitions industry.

“With this latest lease deal they are building a business that is helping to boost the economic prospects of this region and we are delighted to have been able to support them.”

Ben Lyons at Thursfields represented Vertex in the leasing negotiations, while Adam Taylor-Smith at Womble Bond Dickinson LLP acted for landlords IOGP Ltd Partnership.