History of CADS

2023 i

StoreSpace® continues to work with retailers across the globe

2023 was a busy year for all at CADS!

From working with big retailers and surveying buildings across the country – to welcoming new staff and new owners…

Our retail space planning software, StoreSpace®, experienced continued expansion with the successful introduction into the Australian market. This accomplishment was undoubtedly attributed to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional team!

Internationalisation of StoreSpace®: working with clients across the world
2023 ii

Success across all CADS' service offerings

Acquisition by Tern Capital

In 2023, CADS were thrilled to announce our acquisition by Tern Capital, a leading investor in software and technology-enabled businesses with a history of successfully enabling their growth. The acquisition marked a significant milestone in CADS’ journey and presented exciting opportunities for growth, innovation, and continued success. 

CADS’ retail planning team continues to flourish

The retail planning team expanded even further to assist CADS’ retail clients with their store planning needs. With the largest team of experienced UK-based retail planners, we provide a knowledgeable resource as an add-on to your team for all in-store layout changes including refurbishment projects and seasonal range reviews.

2023 year in review

CADS Housing survey

Our National team of housing surveyors continued to fulfil the government-commissioned English Housing Survey, delivering vital information about the circumstances and condition of the country’s housing stock. alongside National Centre for Social Research and BRE.

Blue-chip clients and additional surveying technology

Our survey department was kept extremely busy throughout the year on a number of projects for high profile clients. At the same time, we welcomed the addition of further surveying technology to assist our team in their data capture roles

 

 

2022

Award winning retail software

We were honoured to receive THE Partner of the Year Award for Innovation from Sainsbury’s at their Strategic Partnership conference, for our StoreSpace software. Director Guy Moates partnered with Nielsen visiting potential StoreSpace clients across Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands.

Our surveying team invested in the latest surveying technology including entry level Matterport scanners whilst delivering 717 surveys.

2022 year in review

The CADS Housing Survey team celebrated 20 years delivering the English Housing Survey for the UK Government and secured a new 3 year contract.

Finally, our former colleague Kevin Baldwin completed his epic 4000 mile cycle ride raising £17,500 for Cancer Research UK, supported by CADS staff who exercised to match miles.

2021

Fresh new look for CADS

2021 was another exciting year for CADS with a fresh new look and feel supporting the business growth in the UK and internationally. Renaming C A Design Services to CADS was alongside a major update to the branding of the business and combined with a fresh new look for StoreSpace® and Storeview®.

And a productive year for all services

We also renewed our retail planning contract with Sainsbury’s, delivered our busiest range review calendar ever for Morrisons, along with exciting projects for Asda, B&Q and Waitrose. While StoreSpace® continued to evolve with new clients benefiting from the software’s retail planning prowess including Grupo Ramos in the Dominican Republic. Our survey department also undertook a host of surveying projects for our clients. In addition, CADS housing surveyors continued to deliver surveys for the English Housing Survey with COVID-adjusted protocols.

2021 year in review
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2020

What a year!

Notwithstanding the COVID-challenges the company had a busy year and thanks to strong staff collaboration we smoothly and successfully transitioned to home working. Our retail planning teams were extremely busy helping our clients adapt to the fast-changing restrictions.

We rolled out StoreSpace® for a PFS client in a number of countries with virtual training, as well as winning new clients in the Netherlands, Sweden and Central America. While our surveyors undertook some complex projects including creating a 3D Revit model of the old Daimler HQ, a Grade II Listed Art Deco building.

A number of colleagues reached milestone anniversaries and and some great new staff joined the team.

2020 year in review
2020 at CADS
2019

Celebrating 35 years

In our 35th year, finance director Aaron Wright and sales director Guy Moates took on the business leadership following Steve Brown’s retirement after 17 years at the helm.

We also saw a major new release of our StoreSpace® software together with innovation in our StoreView® software and continued investment in new staff members and equipment while also working towards ISO 27001 accreditation.

2019 year in review
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2018

Partnerships help boost StoreSpace®'s international reach

Celebrating 10 years since M&S began using our StoreSpace® AutoCAD-based platform to assist their store planning. During those 10 years, the system has been used to plan and deliver the space and thousands of stores and projects – via hundreds of planning and architectural staff.

In addition, CADS is awarded membership of the Nielsen Connected Partner programme for StoreSpace® following its integration with Nielsen’s planogram software, gaining international reach for the software platform.

While one of the big 4 UK grocer’s awards CADS a 3 year store planning contract.

CADS achieves certification for ISO 9001:2015

Partnerships help boost StoreSpace®'s international reach
2017

Retail and construction survey projects

WM Morrison appoints CADS to support with their store survey programme for the 3rd year running, whilst retail planning support begins for Well Pharmacy. Floor plans of every location together with range and assortment information is available for the pharmacy chain’s head office, store and field-based personnel.

CADS surveyors undertake laser and measured survey with 3D design coordination for Taylor Made Joinery on the prestigious Bloomberg Auditorium.

C A Design Services staff members take part in various fundraising events throughout 2017 to raise money for the Water for Kids charity. 100 miles were cycled, inflatable obstacles were negotiated, cakes were baked and £1067 was raised for the charity.

2010s

Retail planning software released to UK clients

Retail planning expertise developed into a bespoke AutoCAD-based retail planning solutions for UK clients including Asda, Waitrose, M&S and Sainsburys.

While in 2011 Nationwide Building Society also commissioned CADS to manage its property asset information, bringing together the space data for all branches and admin areas into a single system.

And in 2012 working as part of a consortium CADS became involved in fulfilling the physical surveys for the English Housing Survey. This is a long-running government study into the country’s housing stock.

Retail services
Retail planning software released to UK clients
2000s

Gardline buys C A Design Services

Great Yarmouth-based marine services business buys C A Design Services investing in the CAD and software development expertise.

1990s

Just look at the size of the CAD machines!

And the company comissioned a purpose built Great Yarmouth head office to house the 25 plus staff.

CAD machines in the 90's
1984

C A Design Services was established

in Great Yarmouth with 5 members of staff

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