The Austrian Umdasch Shopfitting Group has announced today that it is buying the Czech Republic-based family-run shopfitter Story Design a.s. of Litomyšl, ‘to strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe’.

 

Story Design is being acquired from the Brýdl Family which Umdasch describes as ‘one of the most successful companies within its sector’ and an entity it says has ‘impressed observers in recent years’ with its expansive progression in the marketplace.

 

Umdasch is already well known for its design and shopfitting services in both domestic markets and travel retail and the company says it is not only buying Story Design’s contacts and business relationships, but also its sales and production network.

 

 

Silvio Kirchmair, Chairman of the Executive Board of Umdasch Shopfitting said: “The customer portfolio and the access to the Eastern-European market fit in ideally with the growth strategy of Umdasch Shopfitting.”

 

At the same time the Brýdl Family says it is ‘convinced’ it has found an ideal purchaser, according to Filip Brýdl, who will remain Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Story Design: “Umdasch Shopfitting is a family-owned company as we were until today. Our values and goals are identical. We have a good feeling as we lay our life’s work in the hands of Umdasch.”

 

Story Design will now become a part of the Fashion & Lifestyle Division within Umdasch Shopfitting, which believes that the acquisition will strengthen its international market position.

 

 

Story Design was originally founded in 1995 as a creative agency in Litomyšl, which lies north-east of Brno. During the past two decades the family-run joint-stock company has developed its expertise as a shopfitter for business premises for mobile phone providers, banks, automobile manufacturers and system catering companies, among others.

 

Today the workforce of 240 employees operates at two locations in the Czech Republic and Russia (Moscow). The wood and metal production facility is based in Litomyšl where Story Design last reported revenues of approximately €25m ($27m).