When visitors step into NVS Group’s reception at Spitfire House, one thing always catches their eye – a breathtakingly detailed miniature model of our headquarters and distribution centre. From tiny forklifts to high-level warehouse racking, every corner of Spitfire House has been recreated in astonishing accuracy. Look a little closer and you’ll even spot a few famous vehicles and a hidden “Where’s Wally.”
The mastermind behind this project is Jo Venables, Team Leader in our Fridges department, who dedicated over 1,500 hours over 18 months to build the model entirely by hand.
From a Christmas raffle to a big challenge
Jo’s journey into miniature building at NVS began during Christmas 2022, when she created 14 festive-themed scenes to raise money for Cancer Research. Among the raffle winners was our Managing Director, Martin Riley, who was so impressed he asked Jo if she’d consider creating something special for our new HQ.
Jo remembers, “I met up with Martin and our Operations Director, Danny, and I was a bit shocked to learn they wanted a full-scale model of the new site! I said yes – probably too quickly – and guessed it would take about a year. I was, of course, completely wrong; it took me over 18 months to complete.”
Some of the Christmas-themed scenes Jo created in 2022 to raise money for Cancer Research
Crafting a miniature world
Armed with architectural plans, drone photos, and a lot of patience, Jo set to work in April 2023. The model’s scale, 1:160, or ‘N gauge’ as model railway enthusiasts would know it, was chosen to fit the baseboard she built on. There wasn’t quite enough space to create the full depth of the warehouse, but Jo has cleverly used mirrors on the back wall to give the idea that it continues on, and everything else has been included right down to the smallest details.
Most of the structure was built from scratch using ABS plastic, a material Jo had to teach herself to cut, glue, and paint. While she was able to order the figures and many of the vehicles, including the cars and trucks online and then paint them to suit, the unique vehicles and order pickers had to be carefully handcrafted.
Time was Jo’s biggest challenge: “Working full-time, I only had early mornings and weekends to work on it. If I sprayed or glued something, I had to leave it set, so I was working on different sections at the same time, which meant that it looked like chaos, but organised chaos!”
Watch the video above to get a sneak peek behind the scenes and discover how Jo created the model from scratch
Hidden gems and personal touches
It’s not just the accuracy that makes Jo’s model special – it’s the little details. Visitors can have fun spotting the A-Team van, Herbie, Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1, and of course, the DeLorean from Back to the Future (plugged into an EV charger, naturally). There’s also a ‘Where’s Wally’ hidden somewhere if visitors fancy a challenge!
Jo also added personal touches, recreating colleagues in familiar spots around the warehouse. “I wanted it to feel personal,” she says. “It’s about our people as much as the building.”
Take a closer look at the model in the video above, and you might spot some of those hidden details!
A family effort
Jo’s dad, an engineer, played a key role too – helping with the structure and wiring the lights. He even built a custom frame to safely transport the model in his car. “It was the most stressful car journey of my life,” Jo admits, “but thankfully nothing broke!”
Passion that inspires
Although friends and colleagues often suggest she turn her hobby into a business, Jo insists she’s happy keeping it as a passion project. “If it became a job, I’d lose the love for it,” she explains. “For me, it’s about creating something that makes people smile.”
Now proudly displayed in reception, Jo’s model is a daily reminder of what creativity, patience, and passion can achieve. It has already become a talking point for visitors, customers, and colleagues alike, and a fitting tribute to the spirit of Spitfire House.
