Ahead of the Birmingham Post Business Awards on November 26, Hollywood Monster, the sponsor of the property category, looks back on a period of success

Birmingham is home to one of the UK's leading graphics companies, employing over 70 experts in everything from digitally printed wallpaper, corporate branding, to event signage and building wraps.

Look at the space around you as you read this – there's probably something created by Hollywood Monster.

The team is something for the city to shout about, based in a 30,000 sq ft warehouse in Tyseley and employing over 70 local people, the business boasts a turnover of around £6.5million.

Some of its biggest clients include Westfield, Barratt Homes and Birmingham City Football Club, not to mention recent projects for the likes of The Mailbox, Harvey Nichols, Burberry and West Ham FC.

Whether you're looking for an A4 signboard, large scale banner, exhibition stand or car graphics, the Hollywood Monster experts are on hand 24/7 to offer a bespoke service' from supply-only to a fully experienced, safe and insured installation service.

With clients across the UK, the team can handle small jobs right up to the most intricate projects and the use of road closures, abseil ropes, cherry pickers and cranes always gets them excited.

They are all about bringing your brand to life through innovative signs and graphics, which are created by industry-leading machinery.

Hollywood Monster can satisfy the needs of a range of business sectors, including property and construction, retail, sports stadia, events and exhibitions, corporate, and vehicle livery.

As well as ongoing printing for the likes of Westfield and BCFC, the business also works on exciting projects like London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and most recent FA Cup Final.

Created in August 2009 with the coming together of sister companies Hollywood Signs and Monster Digital, Hollywood Monster has become one of the UK's big business success stories and it's right here in Birmingham.

This year, the company is nominated in the Manufacturing category at the Birmingham Post Business Awards and has previously won Wide Format Print Company of the Year 2011 and 2012, and Pride Award at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards 2013.

Hollywood Monster boasts a skilled team of craftsmen including graphic designers, draftsmen, structural engineers, model makers, traditional signwriters, welders, painters, civil engineers, decorators and carpenters.

While creativity is one of Hollywood Monster's strengths, this is aided by the technology available at the Tyseley warehouse.

The business has invested over £2 million in state-ofthe-art UV direct to substrate, to include the largest print machine in the world enabling prints in one piece up to five metres wide by any length.

The past 12 months has seen significant investment in new technology and with the help of the Birmingham Post Regional Growth Fund they have been able to purchase two new machines.

The MTEX 5032 is a 3.2m wide direct-to-textile printer that cost over £250,000 and is an innovation in the UK printing market.

A 'monster' addition to the factory, this is a new way of event planners, retailers and set designers creating engaging spaces.

The visually stunning graphics can be posted out in a jiffy bag and installed by shop staff the next day, which means that in-store and on-site personnel can change seasonal graphics and new set designs without the need for professional installers every time.

This saves time and money on both sides.

The second investment is the £400,000 VUTEk machine, which sees the company offer printing up to 5m wide, which has transformed the property and construction market.

Some of Hollywood Monster's biggest clients are Westfield, St Modwen, Barratt Homes and Lovell, which means that this investment has firmly helped establish the business as one of the UK's leading printing suppliers.

The superwide-format print quality standards are up to the same level produced on smaller machines, but its width brings greater versatility across roll-fed applications and optimises consistency in its results.

Simon McKenzie, sales director at Hollywood Monster, said: "The growth in jobs that has come as a result of the MTEX and VUTEk is particularly exciting. We have taken on new sales people, and the diversification of services has safeguarded over ten jobs.

"As well as the machines, we've gone all out and built a brand new dedicated digital textile print room, complete with eye-grabbing graphics from floor to ceiling.

"The light and airy dust-free room separates the printed textiles from other traditionally "dirty" sign-making methods. This comes in addition to a new state-of-the-art sewing and finishing room."

Managing director Tim Andrews said Hollywood Monster's growth goes from strength-to-strength: "We have seen the benefits of the recovery in 2014, with business increasing and a wealth of new contracts coming in.

"The housing market, in particular, has been good to us and the help-to-buy scheme has re-ignited the market. This has resulted in new housing developments by Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, Redrow and Lovell' all of whom we supply signage to.

"The Birmingham Post Growth Fund has enabled us to invest in groundbreaking printing technology and as a result of this investment we recently secured a nationwide contract to install internal graphics at a major high street retailer – a contract that is worth £2.5 million.

"This comes in addition to the redevelopment of RAM Brewery and wrapping The Fort and Mason Building in London.

"The economy has improved considerably this year and the final quarter is still looking strong for us, particularly in the property, retail and sports sectors."

Hollywood Monster, and Mr Andrews, are also well-known for supporting local charities and fundraising initiatives.

Having been a joint founder of the Harry Moseley Charity Ball and 7inSeven Bike Challenge, Tim Andrews was recognised at the Business Masters Awards.

Overall, the business supports a hosts of charities and has recently helped raise over £30,000 for charities including Teenage Cancer Trust, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

www.hollywoodmonster.co.uk