Picture
Hanging Systems Ltd design, manufacture, supply and install
all kinds of systems for hanging pictures. We have been constantly
evolving for over 20 years and our range of products continues
to grow. We began life on the fringes of the picture framing
trade as System Marketing Ltd in 1982, when Mrs. Thatcher was
squaring up to Argentina over The Falklands.
In 2003, we changed the name of the Company to Picture Hanging
Systems Ltd.
We didn't do this purely to confuse people but because it better
describes our main area of activity. It also just happens to
be a sneaky way of getting into the search engines. System Marketing
Ltd. still exists but sells different things.
The business started because Robin Burt who was running it at
the time, discovered that Maison Boyer were looking for a UK
distributor for their products which at that time they were
still making in a workshop just off Place Pigalle in the centre
of Paris.
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This is about the things we make and
sell
[You might not be interested in all this, but you don't have
to read it]
Anyway, it seemed that Boyer had been making this picture hanging
equipment, virtually unchanged, since 1879. We have copies of
some wonderful catalogue pages from the early Edwardian era
with illustrations like a conjurer's manual showing how it all
worked. They still use the same product code, C521, for their
25kg hooks as they were using in 1909 maybe earlier for all
we know.
Although they had installed their system to most of the high
profile museums and galleries in France, they had not been very
adventurous in their export efforts.
We introduced the basic system, omitting some of the more eccentric
appliances, to the UK market and found that Curators and Managers
of museums and galleries here were as delighted to use it as
we were to sell it. Their lives suddenly became much easier.
Instead of having to screw individual paintings to the wall,
they could now display them on a temporary basis in a professional
manner. They also had to buy a lot less Polyfilla and paint.
Our first reaction to The Boyer System was that 'surely we could
design something better than that,' it looked so old fashioned
but that was part of its charm and of course, it worked. Apart
from a couple of minor improvements to the security attachments,
we had to accept that its age demanded respect. So we turned
our creative talents to another project.
Don't ask why it is called The Avanti System, it just is. In
the way that there is a clearly defined market for the Boyer
system, there was a demand for something more delicate and 'designerish'
for use in both domestic and commercial interiors. Slick, stainless
steel cables and recessed wall channel were the starting point.
You will have to look on the catalogue pages if you want the
details.
So as to have a range to satisfy most demands, we introduced
The Locator System. This, because it is fixed invisibly and
has endcaps is very popular for use in homes and offices where
the pictures don't get moved very often. Most recently, we have
introduced the Traditional Brass Collection. This includes brass
poles, chains and all the sort of things you would expect to
find in country houses, country house hotels, public buildings
and some exhibition areas where our other systems would not
be aesthetically appropriate.
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So, what's new?
People who set up exhibitions of paintings and artwork, having
used up all the wall space, would often like to be able to use
the areas between the walls - if only they had some temporary
display panels.
By now, you will have guessed; we have designed a very simple
and easily manageable system, called Artshow Panels, consisting
of 2m long panels which are supported by leg at each end. The
panels are lightweight and they and the legs take up the minimum
amount of storage space when not in use.
Look at the main webpage to see how they have built-in picture
hanging rails and how you can use them. These are specifically
designed to display artwork. They are nothing like the tacky
things you see at trade exhibitions.
We have also introduced three different types of picture lighting.
The Boyer Lighting System, using appropriate top rail and hangers,
feeds individual, low voltage, individual picture lights. The
same fittings are also made to be fixed either to the picture
frame or to the wall behind the frame. Quite separately from
this, our other development is The Locator Lighting System.
This is a wall mounted rail, which feeds low voltage lights
which can either be used for general illumination or to highlight
individual pictures, which can be hung using Locator cable hangers,
from the same rail.
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That's what we do, this is who does it
Colette Goodall runs the office, deals with your enquiries,
and makes sure you get what you want. She also looks after the
accounts with the help of...
Sandra Francis, to whom nothing is too much trouble and whatever
the customer wants can be done. Having said "no problem"
, she passes it on to our workshop in Tunbridge Wells, where...
Peter Blake who, even if he thinks it is a problem, gets it
done. He has also turned packaging into an art form, your goods
will arrive in one piece!
Sometimes, Peter has the company and help of Chris Skillett,
that is when Chris is not out installing rail or measuring sites
for upcoming jobs. Ray Hale along with Chris carry out installation
of all our systems including all electrical work for the lighting
and hanging systems.
Gavin Large now runs the whole thing and divides his time between
the office, workshop and site visits. However, with an eye to
future development, he and his wife have thoughtfully produced
a daughter, who is clearly Managing Director material and twin
sons on whom she can practice her management skills.
Like many small specialist businesses, some of these people
work part time. Unlike most, we go to a lot of trouble to make
sure that if anyone contacts us for information, they get an
answer - not "you'll have to speak to X, and he's not in."
Well, that's our story. We hope you have found it interesting
and that now you feel you know us.
If you would like any advice or information we have not included
on this site, please contact us by e-mail,
fax, phone or you could even try writing to us.
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