MEPS signals bright future with 45th-anniversary mural

MEPS International has marked its 45th anniversary with the creation of a landmark mural celebrating the industrial heritage of its home city of Sheffield – the UK’s ‘Steel City’. 

The global steel price and insight provider commissioned Sheffield artist Jo Peel to create the 10-metre-long artwork on a wall separating its headquarters from the busy Upper Hannover Way dual carriageway.  

A further, eight-metre-tall element of the colourful landmark will be added to a wall of MEPS’s building next month. 

MEPS director Jayne Craven said: “As a business we’re proud to be based in Sheffield, a city built on the strong foundations of its steel industry. 

“Creating an artwork that celebrates that industrial heritage and alludes to the city’s bright future in such an eye-catching way, seems very appropriate as we celebrate our 45th year.” 

New Sheffield landmark 

MEPS has operated from its headquarters in Sheffield since it was founded, by Peter Fish, in 1979. The growing business added a modern extension to its building in 2021. 

Jo Peel’s new mural, which features imagery that explores the regeneration of Sheffield’s industrial landscape, has completed its transformation into a city landmark. 

Commenting on her collaboration with MEPS, Peel said: “I think it’s fantastic that MEPS saw an opportunity to brighten the streets of Sheffield with a mural and turned to me to create it. 

“The business has been in the city since it was founded 45 years ago and is rooted in the steel industry, making it a nice fit for the themes of industrial heritage and regeneration that I explore within my work.” 

She added: “To have a piece of art in such a vibrant area of the city is a real privilege.” 

Residents’ ‘thank you’ message 

Since the artwork was completed, MEPS’s new mural has been featured in Sheffield’s daily newspaper, The Star. 

It has also attracted praise from residents living nearby. One neighbourhood community group wrote to the business to offer its thanks for helping to “brighten up” the area. 

MEPS’s head of marketing, Joe Rugg, said: “Since we expanded our premises in 2021 our brick walls have seemed a bit bare. 

“The building's location meant that it had clear potential to become a real landmark at the heart of the Steel City and, by embracing a growing appreciation of street art locally, I think we've achieved that through our partnership with artist Jo Peel.” 

Rugg added: "We wanted it to be a nod to Sheffield's industrial past and Jo's style fits that brief perfectly. We've already received so many positive comments from passers-by, and local residents have said it really brightens up the place."