Crystal Display Systems: From Startup to Global Display Solutions Leader How did Crystal Display Systems take the display world by storm? From a modest two-desk office in 2011 to becoming a trusted global partner for displays, touchscreens, and embedded computing, Crystal Display Systems (CDS) has built a reputation for innovation, quality, and customer focus. This journey is a testament to strategic growth, industry expertise, and a philosophy rooted in reliability and service. The Early Days of Crystal Display Systems Founded in 2011 by Chris Bartram, with early team members Ash Hawkes and Tony Large, CDS began its story in Dartford, Kent. Despite its humble beginnings, the company quickly gained momentum thanks to its focus on customer service and high-quality display solutions. By 2012, CDS had already outgrown its first office, moving to larger premises in Medway. Just a year later, the company expanded again to a Chatham facility overlooking the River Medway, marking the start of a period of steady and ambitious growth. Key Partnerships and Product Expansion Strategic partnerships have been central to Crystal Display Systems’ success. A milestone came in 2013 with the distribution agreement with Glorystar, introducing industrial tablets to CDS’s portfolio. In 2015, the partnership with Litemax further expanded CDS’s offerings, bringing embedded computers, panel PCs, and stretched displays to the forefront. The company continued to secure key partnerships, including agreements with: DWIN – for UART and small-format TFT displays Avalue – for advanced embedded computing solutions These collaborations allowed CDS to position itself as a versatile supplier for multiple industries, including retail, gaming, digital signage, and industrial automation. Growth Through Acquisitions To strengthen its market reach and technical expertise, CDS strategically acquired: Craft Data Limited DisplayLite Limited Flatvision Limited These integrations reinforced the company’s presence and expanded its capabilities across Europe and the USA, where operations were established in Long Island, New York. Innovation at the Core Innovation has always been at the heart of Crystal Display Systems’ philosophy. The company has introduced: One of the most comprehensive ranges of circle and square displays Cutting-edge transparent OLED (T-OLED) technology Expanded embedded computing product lines These advancements have positioned CDS as a go-to partner for companies seeking tailored, reliable display and computing solutions. Resilience and Customer Commitment During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses faced uncertainty. Crystal Display Systems stood firm, retaining all employees on full pay without redundancies or government support. This resilience highlighted the company’s commitment not only to customers but also to its staff and partners. Today and the Future of CDS By the financial year 2024/25, Crystal Display Systems had achieved record sales and profits. With ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications, international operations, and a reputation for customer-centric service, CDS continues to expand globally. The philosophy is simple but powerful: “An excellent, focused team delivering reliable products at competitive prices, while always staying customer-centric.” This approach ensures CDS remains agile, innovative, and ahead of many competitors. Click here to find out more about our team Conclusion: A Trusted Partner in Display Solutions From a small UK startup to a global leader, Crystal Display Systems has grown through innovation, partnerships, acquisitions, and an unwavering focus on customer success. With a proven track record and a strong vision for the future, CDS continues to deliver display, touchscreen, and embedded computing solutions trusted worldwide. Are you looking for a reliable partner for your next display or embedded project? 👉 Contact Crystal Display Systems today to discuss your requirements and discover how we can add value to your business. 📧 Get in touch with us Check Out Some Of Our Displays in Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnCu07hOmH4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94G4yub50S8&t=20s Need More Information? CALL US +44 (0)1634 791600 CLICK TO EMAIL US!

Exclusive Interview 2025 with Chris Bartram by Meghan Mudge, Head of Marketing We had the opportunity to speak with Chris Bartram, the Managing Director, CEO, and founder of Crystal Display Systems Limited (CDS). In this interview, Chris shares insights into CDS’s challenges and solutions in the industrial and many other industries, highlights the company’s greatest assets and customers, and discusses his personal career background and future visions. What is your background? I began my career working for several display and multinational distribution companies in various capacities, including sales management, product management, and Supplier Business Management across Europe, the USA, and the Far East. Before establishing CDS, I set up Display Technology Limited, the UK office, for a multinational German group as a minority shareholder. After significant growth from 2002 to 2009, I sold my shareholding back to the German parent company, which provided the funds to establish CDS as a customer-focused company with excellent technical support and customer care. crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/   What’s the company’s background? CDS was founded in 2010 with a management team experienced in the flat panel market since the mid-1990s. Initially, we operated from a modest two-chair, one-room office in Dartford. Over the years, we’ve expanded our product range to include audiovisual screens, industrial displays, touch screens, digital signage, and panel PC interactive touchscreen products. Many blue-chip organisations have specified bus on numerous projects globally for some of the world’s leading brands. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/products/small-format-tft-lcds/   What is your vision for the company? Our vision is to continue growing as a leading global supplier of industrial display solutions, bringing new innovations to our clients so they can lead the way in their respective industries. We aim to transform visual technology through innovation and excellence, providing our customers with the highest-quality display solutions that enhance their visual experience and drive their success. We will have the best products, promoted by the best marketing and supported by the best support and after-sales service team. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/products/open-frame-tft-lcd-industrial-monitors/   What challenges does a display company face in the industrial sectors and the other markets you support? In the industrial sectors, we face many challenges and often encounter clients who need to modernise legacy systems with open and backwards-compatible technology. We also manage complex logistics chains for our customers to make their lives easier so they can focus on what they do best. That is where we can offer actual value. Balancing the integration of cutting-edge solutions with existing infrastructures requires a deep understanding of systems’ current advancements and our gestational constraints systems to ensure we supply the optimum solutions every time. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/products/industrial-panel-pcs/   How does CDS respond to this challenge? To address these challenges, we’ve developed the best product range currently available, backed up by the best team in the industry, who are the most adaptable to specific project and customer requirements. Our agile design team excels at extending these modules as needed, ensuring that we meet and exceed client expectations while maintaining compatibility with existing systems wherever required. What are the greatest assets in CDS? Without a doubt, our greatest assets are our people. The innovative contributions of our experienced team members continually enhance their experience in design, manufacturing, process, and after-sales service, supported by the contributions of our new team members. This blend of seasoned expertise and fresh perspectives drives our ongoing success, and we are constantly in a state of continuous improvement, so the aim for perfection never ends at CDS. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/products/low-cost-gaming-and-casino-monitors-and-touchscreen-products/   What is the main USP for CDS? Our primary unique selling point is our ability to design quickly and effectively or find the optimum display solution for each customer project. Tried and tested sources and practices can swiftly develop solutions tailored to specific project requirements by utilising them while adhering to the stringent standards demanded in many industrial environments. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/cds-blog-page/   Who are CDS’s customers? Our clientele is based in many industries and markets, including transportation, automotive, kiosk/ATM manufacture, process control, medical, instrumentation, Gaming/Casino, and outdoor applications, to name but a few. Depending on the projects, we supply end users, subcontractors, and system integrators/retailers worldwide. These partnerships reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, customised display solutions that meet the diverse needs of these industries and applications. https://crystal-displaycom-staging.onyx-sites.io/case-studies/ Meet Our Management Team The CDS management team comprises industry experts with decades of experience in display technology. Their vision and leadership drive our continuous innovation and commitment to quality. Our team’s expertise ensures that we stay at the forefront of the display industry, delivering cutting-edge solutions to our clients. At CDS, we believe in sharing our knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals. Explore our vault of knowledge today and discover how our unique products, bespoke solutions, and unwavering commitment to quality can benefit your business. Whether you are looking for detailed product information, real-world application examples, or custom solutions, CDS is your trusted partner in display technology. Click here to find out more about our team What does the future hold for CDS? We will continue to grow by developing our product range and strengthening the team where we see fit. So we can grow organically but are also looking at acquisitions to help speed up that growth. We acquired and integrated Craft Data Limited last year and are now working on a couple of other acquisitions that we hope to finalise very soon. But if any related companies are looking to sell or merge, they should contact us to discuss and see if we can find some common ground to add value and create a win-win scenario for the teams, suppliers and customers. Do you have any final words? CDS would like to wish everyone a successful and profitable 2025 and beyond, whether competitors, suppliers, or competitors and their families. Check Out Some Of Our Displays in Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnCu07hOmH4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94G4yub50S8&t=20s Need More Information? CALL US +44 (0)1634 791600 CLICK TO EMAIL US!

Future of Display Technology in 2025 Shaping the Next Generation of Visual Interaction In 2025, the future of display technology is entering a transformative era. As digital experiences become more immersive, personalised, and portable, the demand for advanced display solutions is skyrocketing. Leading manufacturers and innovative startups are spearheading a new generation of display technology trends that are redefining how we interact with information, entertainment, and our environment. From rollable smartphones and energy-efficient e-paper to holographic conferencing and interactive signage, the developments in display innovation 2025 are as diverse as they are groundbreaking. Flexible Displays: The Age of Adaptive Screens Flexible displays are built on bendable substrates—often plastic or thin metal foil—enabling them to curve, roll, or fold without losing display quality. This advancement breaks the rigidity barrier that has long defined traditional screen design, opening the door to innovative form factors and new user experiences in the future of display technology. Technological Foundations in Display Innovation 2025 AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode): Offers flexibility, vivid colour reproduction, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. Widely used in smartphones, wearables, and foldable devices. Micro LED: A newer alternative delivering superior brightness, energy efficiency, and durability. Printed E-Paper Displays: Ultra-thin, lightweight, and highly energy-efficient — ideal for static content like price tags and patient monitoring systems. Modular Flexible LED Panels: Robust and weather-resistant, reshaping outdoor digital advertising and event staging. Applications Across Industries Consumer Electronics: Foldable smartphones, rollable tablets, and curved smartwatches. Automotive: Curved dashboards, head-up displays (HUDs), and in-glass infotainment systems. Healthcare: Wearable monitors, patient records, and diagnostics. Retail & Advertising: Rollable banners, shelf-edge displays, and pop-up installations. Benefits: Lightweight, portable, energy-efficient, durable, and shatter-resistant. Click here for our flexible OLED displays Click here for displays for healthcare Immersive Displays: Creating New Realities Immersive displays are blurring the line between digital and physical worlds. They go beyond simply showing content — they create experiences that define the future of display technology. Virtual Reality (VR) VR headsets transport users into fully synthetic environments. High-resolution displays, motion tracking, and spatial audio combine to deliver lifelike experiences. Use Cases in Display Innovation 2025: Gaming & Entertainment: Hyper-realistic, interactive worlds. Training & Simulation: Risk-free environments for military, aviation, and healthcare training. Architecture & Design: Virtual walkthroughs and collaborative planning. Augmented Reality (AR) AR overlays digital information onto the real world, delivered via headsets, glasses, or smartphones. Use Cases: Education: Interactive learning tools and virtual dissections. Healthcare: Real-time surgical overlays. Retail: Virtual try-ons and navigation. Holographic Displays Holographic technology creates 3D images that float in mid-air without glasses. Applications: Remote collaboration and video conferencing. Product visualisation. Museum and exhibition displays. Transparent OLED (TOLED): Merging Real and Digital Worlds Transparent OLED displays allow digital content to appear as if it’s floating on glass, enabling layered interaction between physical and virtual elements — a striking example of display technology trends in action. Key Features in the Future of Display Technology: Transparency when off or showing content. Vibrant visuals with strong contrast. Seamless edge-to-edge designs. Touch-enabled interactivity. Emerging Applications: Retail windows with product information overlays. Smart glass walls in offices or exhibitions. Automotive HUDs. Museum exhibits with interactive layers. CLICK HERE FOR OUR TRANSPARENT OLED DISPLAYS Digital Signage: Smart Communication at Scale Digital signage innovation in 2025 is dynamic, data-driven, and personalised. It’s not just about showing messages — it’s about delivering real-time, context-aware experiences that reflect the future of display technology. Technologies Powering Display Innovation 2025: LCD & LED Panels for versatile indoor/outdoor use. TOLED and e-paper for premium or eco-friendly signage. Projection systems for large-scale displays. Backend Advances: Centralised content management. Cloud integration for remote updates. AI and sensor-based interactivity. Applications: Retail & Hospitality: Personalised offers and dynamic pricing. Transport Hubs: Real-time travel information. Corporate Spaces: Internal communications and welcome screens. Smart Cities: Public info and safety alerts. Click here to find out more about Printed E-Paper Conclusion: The Future of Display Technology Is Here In 2025, the future of display technology is defined by: Adaptability: Flexible displays that enable entirely new product designs. Immersion: VR, AR, and holographic displays transforming work, education, and entertainment. Smart Connectivity: Digital signage that is dynamic, data-driven, and interactive. From wearable health monitors and transparent automotive HUDs to AR-powered museum exhibits, display technology trends are no longer just to be seen — they are meant to be experienced. Check Out Some Of Our Displays in Action Need More Information? CALL US +44 (0)1634 791600 CLICK TO EMAIL US!