Product Datasheet/Brochure
2
The History
A simple idea of creating a portable, pop-up photographic reector sparked not only
a revolution in imaging but put the wheels in motion for Lastolite to grow from a tiny,
family-run company to an internationally-renown industry leader that thrives
on innovation.
Right from its humble start, Lastolite has designed innovative and keenly-priced
products to help keen photographers and professionals take even better shots.
With an ever-growing portfolio of products, In 2011, Lastolite became part of the
Vitec Group - a multinational holding company specialized in supporting
professional photographers, broadcasters and lmmakers.
That’s a huge achievement in a relatively small time, as the original Lastolite company
was established in 1978 and owned by Coats Viyella - a global leader in textiles.
Six years later, former Coats Viyella employee Martin Henry purchased the company
which still had only one product, the now famous circular collapsible reector. It was
the product that made reectors truly portable, taking them out of the studio and onto
location everywhere.
Martin immediately moved the business to the small village of Congerstone in
Leicestershire, England. He began manufacturing from the family home, utilising the
garage, kitchen and dining room. Martin’s wife Margaret and their son Sean joined
the team.
Martin saw great potential to expand the business beyond the UK so the family took a
driving holiday through Europe, appointing ve international distributors along the way.
The business soon outgrew the family home so Lastolite moved to their rst industrial
premises, a small 500 sq ft building in a nearby town called Coalville.
As the reectors gained global acceptance, Martin used the same technology to launch
the world’s rst collapsible photographic background at the 1988 Photokina trade
show - the rst time Lastolite had exhibited there. The new products triggered another
period of signicant growth and later that same year the business had to move again,
this time to a new 4000 sq ft facility.
Left: The first building rented by
Lastolite when production moved out of
the Henry’s home.
Right: Martin and Margaret Henry.