Paul Downing (pink shirt, of Design Works Group), and David Walking (of Arucana Ltd). Design Works has acquired a 50% stake in Arucana.
Specialists in office design and commercial fit out, The Design Works Group (DWG), has acquired leading Birmingham based workplace consultancy practice Arucana.
Already boasting an impressive and unrivalled portfolio of office design firms, including interior fit out company Systems by Design, office furniture supplier Dobergo and refurbishment company Live Work, the latest acquisition of Arucana strengthens the Group’s position as one of the leading players in the UK office fit out and refurbishment marketplace.
Trading under The Design Works Group from this week, the Solihull based company will provide a design led vehicle to maximise the Group’s Midlands opportunities, whilst providing Arucana’s clients, which include Eon & Wesleyan Assurance, with a seamless in-house solution for office design and consultancy.
Paul Downing, Group Managing Director of DWG, said: “Arucana has been leading the way in its sector for over nine years, much like the existing companies under DWG. Since we established the group 20 years ago, our unique offering has carved a niche in the office interior industry. We felt that Arucana’s consultancy service approach compliments our current offering by underpinning our existing portfolio, as well as creating a synergy in approach, quality and people that will lead to future growth.”
David Walkind, Managing Director, Arucana, said: “Becoming part of the Group will enable the company to continue working independently, but with the support, reputation and shared knowledge of the Group as a whole. It is unique to have come together with a number of companies that share such complimentary values, with brands that are all market leaders in their own right.”
Despite the downturn, the Group is still seeing strong demand for relocation services, with a significant upturn in the number of refurbishments in the commercial office market. With Arucana on board, the group is set to service such demand from an even earlier stage, offering expert workplace consultancy advice even before a premise has been found – a service that can in fact influence a company’s choice of premises from project strategy stage.
David Walkind, Managing Director, Arucana, added: “A typical Arucana workplace consultancy service will begin with a full project workshop, talking to clients to fully understand their operations and needs. This is followed by a spatial appraisal to ensure a client obtains premises that has the appropriate amount of space for the organisation’s needs, and an occupancy study to gain an insight into how an organisation utilises its space over a two to four week period.
“Unlike most companies in our field, we take this information, and based on the results we can drive decisions for the design brief based on appropriate data such as number and size of meeting rooms, type of workstation requirements etc. It provides factual and impartial data which enables the design brief to develop with confidence.”
Tony Eaves, Chairman of DWG, said: “Over the last eight years I have watched Arucana grow into the only serious player in workplace consultancy market – I am delighted to be investing in it now, and welcome the team as valuable members to the Group.”
Founded nine years ago, Arucana has built a loyal client base of wide ranging businesses, all varying in size, market sector and location, but with a shared objective to have an office environment that meets their organisations’ operational, visual and financial objectives.
