Behind the Scenes at BD&D: The Big Move (and Why It Matters)

If you’ve been following Brink Designs & Displays for a while, you’ll know that we’ve always been proudly local — designed, manufactured, and distributed right here in South Africa. What you might not know is that behind every dice tray, terrain piece, or token holder is a very small team (ok, in reality it’s just me!) working hard to keep up with demand, refine products, and constantly push the quality higher.

For the past few weeks, however, things have been a bit quieter on the product front. That’s because we’ve been busy with something bigger in the background — moving our entire manufacturing operation to a new location.

Why the Move?
It’s a question I’ve had to answer a few times recently. After all, moving a workshop isn’t exactly a casual decision. For us, it came down to two simple but critical things: space and control.

As many of you know, Brink Designs & Displays started small — a few prototypes, a hand full of mediocre products, and a lot of trial and error. But thanks to the incredible support from the South African tabletop gaming community, the demand for our products has steadily grown. With that growth came the realization that our existing space was limiting — not just in size, but in terms of efficiency, workflow, and ultimately, product quality.

The new location gives us more room, better layout options, and the ability to streamline production from start to finish. It’s a step forward not just for the business, but for what I can offer to the community.

The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Moving a Workshop
Of course, in theory, a move sounds exciting. In practice? It’s been… let’s just say, a little less straightforward.

From the start, the plan was to relocate equipment, set up new workstations, and be back in full swing within a couple of weeks. What actually happened involved delays, miscommunication with suppliers, and more than one instance of redoing work that should’ve been done properly the first time.

If you’ve ever dealt with renovations or moving a business, you’ll know how frustrating it can be when timelines slip — especially when it’s out of your hands. Flooring that wasn’t installed correctly. Electrical work that had to be redone. Equipment sitting idle because one small part of the setup wasn’t finished properly.

It’s been stressful. It’s been exhausting. And honestly, it’s tested my patience more than a few times.

But Here's the Thing — It’s Worth It
Despite the headaches, delays, and unexpected costs, I’m still convinced this move is exactly what Brink Designs & Displays needed.

Here’s why:
• More Control Over Production: The new space is designed with our specific workflow in mind. This should mean faster turnaround times and fewer bottlenecks.
• Room to Innovate: With extra space, I can finally explore new product ideas without sacrificing production space for existing products.
• Improved Quality: Better workstations and more organized storage mean fewer mistakes, better finishes, and a more consistent end product for you.
• Supporting Local, properly: The entire move is another commitment to keeping our products designed and manufactured right here in South Africa. It’s not always the easiest path, but I believe it’s the right one.

What This Means for You
For our customers — whether you're a D&D enthusiast, a wargamer, or someone who just loves well-made gaming accessories — what we’re hoping to accomplish:
✅ More reliable stock availability
✅ Faster production on custom orders
✅ A broader range of innovative, locally-designed products coming soon
✅ The same level of attention to detail and quality you’ve come to expect — but better

The delays have been frustrating, and I appreciate everyone’s patience as we get back to full capacity. If you’ve been waiting for a specific product to restock or a custom order to be fulfilled, know that I’m working flat-out to clear the backlog.

A Personal Note
Running Brink Designs & Displays has always been more than just a business for me — it’s a passion project built around tabletop gaming, craftsmanship, and community. It’s also taught me that growth comes with growing pains. Moving to a new location is a perfect example of that. But at the end of the day, the challenges are worth facing if it means delivering a better product and experience for you.

If you’ve supported the business — whether by buying something, spreading the word, or just offering encouragement — thank you. Your support keeps this dream going, even when the power tools are silent and the suppliers are driving me up the wall!

What's Next?
The final touches are happening as I write this — machines being recalibrated, new storage being organized, workstations coming together. Very soon, things will be back in full swing.

And once the dust settles? You can expect:
🎲 Exciting new product launches
🛠️ Improved production capabilities
📦 Faster, more reliable order fulfilment

If you’re as passionate about tabletop gaming as I am, I think you’ll love what’s coming.

Stay tuned, and as always — support local, game proudly.

 

Jandré Brink - Founder & CEO