Growth for LUMESCA Group with leading photographic retail business and brands
LUMESCA Group Ltd has today announced the acquisition of Photographic Studio Consultants Ltd (PSC), trading as The Flash Centre in the UK, from Chris Whittle and other family shareholders. In line with ambitious growth plans, the acquisition further strengthens LUMESCA Group’s position in the photographic sector and builds upon channel and competence synergies whilst also broadening the offering for both companies. The Elinchrom and Phottix brands, which are distributed exclusively in the UK by PSC, will be joining LUMESCA Group’s existing range of leading brands.
The Flash Centre is an established photographic business with a wide customer base across the UK, including both large institutions and professional photographic customers. Formed in 1980, primarily to import Elinchrom professional photographic studio flash equipment for the burgeoning UK photographic industry, the products offered have grown to include new and second-hand equipment and rental for products from Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Fuji, in addition to service and repairs. With online sales and three UK retail outlets located in London, Leeds, and Birmingham, the Flash Centre has a well-earned reputation for consistently providing high-quality service delivered by a knowledgeable and experienced team.
“The Flash Centre, with established trade outlets, a successful ecommerce business and leading distribution brands, together with an experienced team and customer relationships spanning more than thirty years, is a great addition to our business,” said Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director of LUMESCA Group. “As we continue to grow in the photographic sector, there are many synergies with our other businesses and the addition of the Elinchrom studio and location lighting range, along with the Phottix brand of innovative lighting accessories, speedlights, triggers and video LED panels, fully complement our overall offering.“
Both The Flash Centre and LUMESCA Group pride themselves on delivering market-leading customer service and support and have a business philosophy of only recommending tried and tested products.
“The best customer service has for generations been at the heart of The Flash Centre. We only supply products that we ourselves would use and many of our customers have become family friends,” said Chris Whittle. Talking about the combined strength of the two businesses, he further stated, “Joining forces with the LUMESCA team broadens our specialisations from creative light and image capture to include critical colour management and optimised image output.“
The Flash Centre will continue to trade under its existing name and build upon its reputation as one of the UK’s premier professional photographic outlets. Nigel Fielden has been appointed General Manager of The Flash Centre by LUMESCA Group and will lead the integration of the business, working together with the existing Flash Centre staff alongside new LUMESCA team members.
About The Flash Centre
Photographic Studio Consultants Ltd, trading as The Flash Centre, was established in London in 1980 to import Elinchrom studio flash for the rapidly growing UK photographic industry. Demonstrating its durability and the exceptional quality of the light and accessory systems rapidly led to the establishment of an extensive rental facility, followed by a service department to repair equipment, and support the development of Elinchrom products. In 1997, Chris Whittle purchased The Flash Centre and the business expanded with the introduction of leading photographic brands and the opening of branches in Leeds and Birmingham followed by the launch of an ecommerce store. Today The Flash Centre is a leading UK retailer and rental house of studio lighting dedicated to supporting the photographic market with friendly, specialist service and expert technical knowledge.