A 125-year-old Hartlepool firm has joined forces with one of Teeside's rising stars to promote its products in the UK and overseas.

Metal mesh manufacturer The Expanded Metal Company commissioned award-winning Middlesbrough film company, Ithica Films to create two films highlighting its architectural meshes.

The Expanded Metal Company designs and manufactures a range of specialist architectural meshes, which are used in building cladding, façades and screening applications, and are employed by architects and interior designers to create high impact visual statements.

These products have been used in projects in landmark buildings such as the New Museum in New York and The Young Vic Theatre in London.

The Experf range has been developed as a cost-effective alternative to perforated metal. Experf mesh is used in applications including acoustic insulation, ceiling tiles, furniture, speaker grilles, air intake screens, filtration, light fixtures and store displays.

As the metal is expanded and twisted rather than punched through, there is no waste in the production process, unlike perforated metal – meaning that raw material usage can be reduced by up to 50%.

The company operates from a 25,000 sqm site in Hartlepool, which is a long-established global centre for expanded metal expertise.

The firm, which has operated for more than 125 years, supplies high quality expanded metal mesh products for sectors including construction, filtration, engineering, transport, utilities, automotive and aerospace, as well as architecture.

Ithica Films was launched in 2014 and recently moved to an 8,000 sq ft new premises at Marsh Street in Cannon Park in Middlesbrough, to support increased demand for its services. The company’s new headquarters has a studio, ten editing suites, a production office and a creative suite.

Philip Astley, managing director of The Expanded Metal Company, said: “We operate in a highly competitive market and manufacture meshes for both domestic and international markets, so it is vital to maximise on the opportunities provided by digital marketing and media platforms."

Matt McGough, managing director of Ithica Films, commented: "The architectural products have always caught our eye through the work we've been doing with them over the past few years so it was great to get them set up in the studio."