A Century of Product Marking Excellence
PBE Marking Systems (formerly known as Phillips Brothers & Ellis and PB&E) stands as a trusted leader in product marking and decorating solutions, built on foundations that stretch back one hundred years, to the late 1920s. What began as a specialist in traditional foil blocking in London has evolved into a comprehensive supplier of hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machinery and consumables.
Our Heritage: A Century of Evolution
Late 1920sThe Beginning
London
Our roots trace back to the late 1920s in London, where we began as specialists in the traditional foil blocking industry, applying craftsmanship to an emerging industrial process. By applying heat and pressure to metallic or pigmented foils, various items including paper, leather, books and plastics were visually enhanced.1951Phillips Brothers & Ellis
London
The company was acquired and established as Phillips Brothers & Ellis, creating the PB&E identity that many long-standing customers still remember today. This marked the start of significant expansion and technical development. As post-war industrialisation continued, more sophisticated stamping machinery was developed, allowing for more detailed foil applications and further variety in colour and finish.Mid 1960sPBE Engineering
London
Rebranded as PBE Engineering, reflecting our evolution from traditional craft to advanced engineering solutions for modern manufacturing needs. As processes developed throughout the 1950s and 1960s, modern foil stamping, pad printing and screen printing became increasingly popular and widespread methods for adding a high-end finish to a vast range of products.Late 1980s/Early 1990sEdale PB&E
Slough, Berkshire
Under Butterfly Holdings ownership, we relocated to Slough, expanding our capabilities and strengthening our market position. Further advancements in technology in machinery, ink chemistry and equipment lead to even greater adoption of pad printing, screen printing and hot foil stamping, now mainstays in mass production throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.1998PBE Marking Systems Ltd
Slough, Berkshire
Acquisition by the Dubuit Group in 1998 brought international expertise and resources to the company, and established our modern identity as PBE Marking Systems Ltd. Utilising the experience of the french ink and printing specialist strengthened our position as industry leaders and enabled a period of continued growth.2011Expansion to Reading
Reading, Berkshire
In 2011, we relocated 20 miles to the West, to larger, modern facilities in Reading. This move enabled us to better serve our growing customer base with improved infrastructure and accessibility, with more capacity for equipment storage, repairs and refurbishments.2022New Chapter with REB Holdings
Reading, Berkshire
The REB Holdings acquisition in 2022 marked our latest evolution. Integrating our expertise with Bowers & Freeman, a specialist in the engraving and tooling industry under the REB Group, combined nearly a century of synergistic industry experience with renewed investment in technology and customer service.The evolution of the brand over almost 100 years has resulted in the versatile and rounded offering in the product marking and decorating industry, offered by the modern PBE Marking Systems Ltd.
Why Customers Choose PBE
Whether you know us as PBE Marking Systems, Phillips Brothers & Ellis, PB&E, or simply PBE, our commitment remains unchanged: providing the highest quality marking solutions backed by unparalleled technical expertise.
Our longevity speaks to our ability to adapt and evolve. We’ve seen technologies come and go, witnessed the transformation of manufacturing industries, and helped countless businesses scale their marking and decorating goals. Through it all, we’ve maintained our core values of quality, reliability, and exceptional service.
Today, from our Reading headquarters, we serve industries ranging from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to industrial manufacturing. Our machines mark everything from luxury packaging to wheelie bins, from medical devices to automotive components. This diversity reflects not just our technical capabilities but our deep understanding of different sectors’ unique requirements.
Technical Excellence Through Experience
Our team brings together decades of collective experience in hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing. We understand that successful product marking involves far more than just a machinery sale. Ongoing success requires longstanding partnerships, through technical specification, trialling, consumables, ongoing maintenance and servicing, and expert guidance throughout the process.
This comprehensive approach means we’re equally comfortable discussing the intricacies of foil adhesion on different substrates as we are planning large-scale production line integrations. Our technical knowledge, accumulated over generations, helps customers avoid costly mistakes and achieve optimal results from day one.
Looking Forward
As PBE Marking Systems, we continue to build on our heritage whilst embracing new technologies and methods. Our partnerships with leading manufacturers worldwide ensure we offer the latest innovations alongside time-tested solutions.
We maintain strong relationships with customers who’ve worked with us for decades, whilst welcoming new businesses discovering the advantages of professional product marking for the first time. Our sub-contract printing services help start-ups test their concepts, whilst our comprehensive maintenance programmes keep production lines running across multiple industries.
Any questions?
Let's talk!
Whether you’re exploring product marking options for the first time or seeking to upgrade existing equipment, our experienced team is ready to help. We’ll guide you through the options, recommend the most suitable solutions for your specific needs, and support you throughout your equipment’s lifetime.
Discover why businesses have trusted PBE Marking Systems (and our previous incarnations) for their product marking needs for nearly a century.
Our company
Experts in product marking
and decorating solutions.
Experience
With over 40 years in the product marking industry, we supply the best quality hot foil stamping, pad printing and screen printing machinery and consumables to a wide variety of sectors.
Consumables
We can provide a comprehensive range of consumables for hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines. Our offerings include custom dies and a diverse spectrum of foil rolls and inks, providing you with a complete array of options to meet your specific needs.
Servicing
We deliver comprehensive servicing solutions for hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines, offering everything from one-time servicing to ongoing support and maintenance.
Machinery
PBE offers an extensive selection of hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines sourced from top-tier global manufacturers.