New mural elevates MEPS’s anniversary celebrations

MEPS International’s 45^th anniversary celebrations were elevated to new heights when the company appointed a local artist to create a striking new mural on the company’s headquarters.

The second phase of MEP’s two-part anniversary mural project saw artist Jo Peel steer a scissor lift close to the steel market insight providers’ on Glossop Road, Sheffield, to create the four-metre-tall artwork.

“I’d expected the project to take up to three days to complete but, in the end, we were finished in less than two,” she said. “I think the adrenaline of working at height – and maybe the cold weather – spurred us on to work a little faster.” 

Peel was joined by fellow artist Grace Foster to create the new mural six months after completing a 10-metre-long artwork on the wall of MEPS’s car park. 

Now passers-by can appreciate the finished result, which is adjacent to the busy Upper Hanover Street dual carriageway and just metres from the University of Sheffield Tram Stop. 

“Seeing MEPS International’s 45th anniversary mural finally completed is amazing,” said MEPS director Jayne Craven. 

“MEPS is proud of its Sheffield roots and – five years after we completed the renovation and extension of our building – it feels good to showcase the work of a local artist in such a prominent location. 

“We have received some lovely feedback from local residents and passers-by since Jo’s first artwork was applied to the wall adjacent to Upper Hanover Street last summer. 

“Hopefully, they’ll agree that the new addition brightens up the area even more.” 

Made in Sheffield, the UK’s ‘Steel City’

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.

It now researches 28 global steel markets, and its steel prices, forecasts and regular reports are trusted by over 5,000 businesses around the world. 

MEPS is also keen investor in its local community. 

The business is the stadium sponsor for Sheffield FC, the world's first football club. This year, the business also became a partner of the Sheffield United Community Foundation’s ‘Friends of the Foundation’ initiative. Consequently, its staff will be lending their time to support its community work in 2025. 

The artwork of Jo Peel, whose distinctive designs combine themes of industrial heritage and regeneration, features on buildings from South Yorkshire to Japan. 

Commenting on her recent work on MEPS’s Glossop Road building, she said: “This was one of the more challenging projects from an access point of view. It’s one of the reasons I keep my scissor lift licence up to date; a rather unusual consideration for most artists.”