AV Awards winner 2011: Blitz revels in being the best

“Our company sees the winning of this award as confirmation that our business strategy and our continued investment in good people is producing growth and industry recognition,” says Blitz md Paul Hutton.

“Our staff feel proud that their hard work has been recognised and that they work for one of the leading companies in the industry. Our customers will have increasing confidence in our ability to deliver a first class service and many will be delighted that their first choice supplier has won this award.

“In a market place where competition is fierce and companies are working hard to communicate the differential between their offering and others, being officially recognised as the best in class speaks volumes. Our sales team will ensure that new prospects are aware of this achievement, particularly when replying to RFIs and RFPs.”

But winning the award has been tough, says Hutton:

“This is one of the most challenging periods for the AV industry and you have to be on top of your game to survive.

“It’s been tough and will continue to be for some time, but this award is special as it confirms we are getting a lot right and should be well placed to benefit when the economic outlook becomes more positive.”

Blitz came through the economic crisis that hit the rental and staging industry in good shape, with a 2011 turnover of £10.5m, 10 per cent up on the previous year, and a massive profit turn-around from a £700,000 loss in 2010 to a £300,000 pre-tax profit this year. And it still spent £1.4m on new equipment last year.

In terms of product innovation, Blitz has developed its own liveVIEW digital signage system, which is being used by Microsoft, HP, Morgan Stanley and Manchester Central Conventional Centre. It has also brought out its own audience interaction system, SMS Solutions, which allows members of the audience to interact with the presenter using their own mobile phones.

Marketing innovations have included a series of ‘Masterclasses’ for production and client companies designed to promote best use of the latest equipment and technology, and Blitz has consolidated its position in the preferred supplier sector.

One of the key elements in Blitz’s entry was the quality and depth of its case studies, which covered very large work such as the Institute of Directors Annual Convention, Coca-Cola’s Pre-Olympic staff event at ExCel, and the Soldier of Orange show in Holland. Its client list included leading event agencies such as Jack Morton, Crown and WRG as well as corporate clients such as Microsoft and Merrill Lynch.

‘Blitz has demonstrated that it can create event packages and solutions to satisfy a wide range of extremely diverse needs,’ said the judges.