Working closely with PTG’s PR agency Scarlet Arch, Mills Media designed and built a complete auditorium on site at PTG’s Holroyd Precision factory in Rochdale.

Mills Media converted part of the factory into conference suite after careful planning and recces of the company premises. Using carefully selected blue velvet drapes to line the walls of the production area, 12m wide flatwall set with full colour graphics and set uplighters and a full stage with top table and twin lecterns the room was ready for the handover ceremony.

Mills Media also provided additional room dressing, red carpets, outdoor graphics, floral arrangements and all seating for the delegates who were a mix of PTG employees, local dignitaries and a large Chinese delegation from Chongqing Machinery & Electrical Co.

The Master of Ceremonies was assisted by a translator giving simultaneous translation of speeches in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Mills Media team were also on hand to record the whole event with video filming and PR photography.

After the completion of the ceremony in Rochdale the Mills team de-rigged the set, stage and AV equipment and travelled to London for a similar presentation the next day to City investors held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.

Mills Media have been working with Cammell Laird since 2001 providing exhibition, photography, video and live event services. This close relationship has been going from strength to strength and has been absolutely invaluable for this exhibition.

We designed this stand using many components from their previous stand to keep costs to a minimum. However the layout of the space required changes to the design which allowed us to include 3 massive fabric panels. The largest of these panels measured over 5m x 4m and is truly seamless. Fabric panels of this size provide major impact and have attracted a lot of attention at the show.

Mills Media also managed the pre-exhibition planning that goes along with exhibiting outside the UK. So whether your next exhibition is around the corner or half way across Europe, you can be assured that Mills Media have an experienced exhibition team which will make sure you maximize your exposure at your next show while taking all the hassle out of the preparation.

Grabber at thermal recovery facility

The education team at Viridor Laing has a pro-active relationship with local schools and community groups but visits to their waste centres cannot show all the processes currently in use. The first programme will guide viewers through all of Viridor Laing operations including thermal recovery, materials reclamation, anaerobic digestion and landfill. Filming has taken place in Bolton, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester with studio work being completed at our in-house facility on the Wirral.

Bird of prey at landfill site

The second programme specifically examines what happens to food and green waste. Viridor Laing operates in-vessel composting facilities which in just seven weeks can turn the collected organic material into rich and fertile compost. The two day shoot which took place in high temperatures combined with high humidity plus some extremely rich aromas was certainly not for the faint-hearted!

The project is now entering the post-production phase and is the latest in a long and successful line of educational DVD’s from the Mills Media team.

Pre-screened compost

Richard lives and works in Liverpool, he is currently Senior Associate Lecturer in Fine Art and Design on the Bachelor of Design Degree course at Liverpool Hope University. Richard’s work is in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as many private collections around the world.

Mills converted one of Laird’s construction spaces into a prestigious conference hall, which ensured a very impressive steel cutting ceremony. Guests included International Security Strategy, Gerald Howarth MP and Rear Admiral Philip Jones, assistant chief of the Naval Staff.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in late 2015 and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, in 2018.

John Glenton Mills, aged 84, was the Chairman of Mills Media. The company, that remains family owned, was founded by his grandfather Thomas Mills III in 1876.

Before joining the family business in 1948, John spent three years with the Royal Air Force, followed by a two-year course at the Blackpool School of Photography. He took over the running of the company from his own father in 1950. With a focus on commercial, industrial and aerial photography, John’s vision was always clear – to build our business into one of the leading photographic company’s in the north if not the UK.

Throughout the next forty years, John welcomed experienced hands, nurtured new talent and embraced innovative technology.

In 2004 The John Mills Group became Mills Media Ltd, a new name to sum up the all-encompassing services offered by the company. Although the reins were now in the hands of his son Andrew as Managing Director and daughter Jenny as Financial Director, John retained his interest in the business as Chairman.

John Mills was recognised across the region as an astute yet fair businessman and a photographer of some repute. He was to shape the business through a number of brave commercial decisions that expanded services in both scale and scope.

In 1960, John purchased larger premises on Hope Street, in Liverpool city centre. It was his vision and knowledge in the field of photography that brought further expansion by opening a processing laboratory in 1965. This was followed three years later with the opening of a colour print laboratory.

John finally realised his professional ambitions in 1977 when he created a purpose-built studio in Arrad Street. Now the entire photographic operation was working from under one roof. A video department was launched at the studio in 1983 and John was pivotal in developing the business as technology advanced rapidly throughout the next two decades.

As a former President of the British Institute of Professional Photography (1966 to 1967) John was invited by Kodak in the United States to talk about his industry experience. The opportunity to cross the Atlantic and converse with fellow professionals was a trip he truly relished.

John’s dedication to his craft never diminished and he continued to photograph the many greats of Liverpool’s industrial and commercial scene. From business leaders to celebrities, whatever the commission, it was John’s people skills and warm personality that allowed him to get the ‘best shot’. Even after he hung up his camera, clients returned time and time again because John had passed on his own high standards to every member of the team.

Andrew Mills said: “My father was both an excellent photographer and perceptive businessman. Photography is not just about the camera, it’s the person behind it who is essential to the success of the shot – and my father was up there with the best. He trained countless Liverpool photographers over the years, many of whom have gone on to run their own studios.”

John Mills’ experience and industry knowledge resulted in him being awarded the BIPP accolade of Honorary Fellow in 1992. A tireless supporter of local charities, John remained actively involved with the Round Table, Birkenhead Boys Club, The Athenaeum Club and 41 Club for many years. His favourite leisure pursuit was always sailing and he was fondly referred to as ‘Flags’ at the Treaddur Bay Sailing Club where he had been a member for almost 40 years and served as Flagstaff Officer between 1984 and 1992. He was made an Honorary Member in 2008 for services to the club.

Andrew Mills said, “My sister Jenny and I are very proud of the company that he built and the reputation for quality that still remains to this day. We hope to carry on the family name for many more generations and continue to grow the business as my father did for many years.”

“As well as a visionary entrepreneur, my father was a kind and loyal family man. He made many friends within the media industry, with his clients and also with employees. He will be remembered very fondly and sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

John, an old boy of Alsop High School in Walton, was married to Beryl Pope and had four children, Judith, Sally, Jenny and Andrew. He leaves behind Beryl, his four children and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral is being held on Thursday 5th August, 13:00hrs at St. Peters Church, Lower Heswall.

The 375 strong audience applauded this year’s winners across a variety of business categories and Mills Media were there to provide the full range of show facilities.

AV, set design and construction, plus live camera feeds to the big screen were all co-ordinated perfectly at the event that was hosted by Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips.

Mills Media not only supplied a new set for 2010 but also more plasma screens around the marquee and awards music that certainly raised the roof!

Working closely again with the WiN team, Mills Media has produced the live event since 2008.

The Mills Media creative team were on hand to direct the showcase that also featured dancing, lights and music from the College’s performing dance students.

Taking place over two days and with some 435 students receiving their honours, Mills Media supplied a grand set design in keeping with the prestigious event. The conference specialists also supplied audio play-ins and live camera feeds. Ably assisted by the venue’s in-house crew, the 2010 celebration will go down as one of the best ever.

Mills Media’s latest production is entitled ‘Witness Support, Preparation and Profiling’. Created for the Merseyside Criminal Justice Board (MCJB), the 22 minute DVD is an integral part of a new training package designed by Liverpool City Council’s Investigations Support Unit.

The aim of the DVD is to encourage current social workers across England and Wales to develop their existing skills and therefore be able to provide vital support to vulnerable witnesses involved in criminal cases.

The programme features a series of interviews with senior social workers, legal professionals, police officers, a parent carer and a vulnerable witness who appeared at four trials involving serious sexual abuse.

This is a compelling programme that brings to light the changing face of the legal system so that justice is fair for every member of society. Without this level of social worker support, many cases involving people with serious learning disabilities simply could not be prosecuted.

The programme was launched at the MCJB Conference ‘Stronger Communities’. Mills Media provided all set, AV and seminar facilities for the event held at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Village Square scheme is part of a £93 million investment partnership to revitalise the 40-year-old Runcorn new town estate.