Words by Emily Martin
Who
Birmingham-based sign writer Michelle Henry graduated in law and business from Keele University in 2006 but, being a fourth-generation sign writer, decided to join her grandparents’ former company, Hazlehurst Nameplates and Signs, where she managed a contract with Birmingham Children’s Hospital. When she learned that the company was going into administration she decided to set up her own, as HNS Signs (a reference to her grandparents’ former company). Henry’s first commission was to complete hospital’s contract.
The HNS Selfie – ‘We primarily sell to businesses, but a piece of wall art that we did for ourselves has got the domestic market excited,’ says Henry. Using traditional sign writing techniques combined with ‘Banksy’ style spraypainting to create a company ‘selfie’, led to orders to produce family portraits for customers after it was posted on the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Why
Birmingham Children’s Hospital – HNS’s first project, working alongside interior design firm Newman Gauge, consisted of a traditionally sign-written wall with an aeroplane, clouds and typography. The design features balloons, laser-cut from 5mm red Perspex, that show the names of those who have donated to the cause. ‘We have since done many displays like this throughout the hospital,’ says Henry
With a business loan from the Prince’s Trust, Henry set up within a month, employing two others in a 139 sq m unit in Sandpitts, Birmingham. In August 2013 they moved to a 465 sq m unit and went from three to 10. The company manufactures 95 per cent of signs and graphics in-house, to provide more control over quality and time management. ‘You are only as good as your last job and we can offer manufacture warranties on materials,’ says Henry. HNS buys its materials either locally or from UK suppliers.
Penny Blacks – Working once again with Newman Gauge HNS completed a project for Penny Blacks bar, located in the Mailbox development in Birmingham, in May 2014. ‘This project involved everything from sign to neon to wall art,’ says Henry. Several ‘distressed and Banks-style’ pieces were produced along with a one-off 4.5m x 1m neon illuminated sign containing 240 LEDs.
Last year HNS won the Scoot Headline Awards for businesses and a National Business Leaders award. ‘We have also been nominated for two categories for the Venus Awards (Small Business of the Year award and Customer Service Award) and we hope to pick up a few in the British Sign Association Awards later this year,’ says Henry.
Where
hnssigns.co.uk
