TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
There’s been a lot of buzz about ADA signage recently. What does ADA stand for?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] NEC Helps a BMW Dealership Drive in More Customers
When Bobby Rahal BMW of South Hills, a premier retailer of new and used BMWs, wanted to drive in customers to their new location in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, they chose to use digital signage. The dealership is known for its enthusiasm and excitement over the brand’s core values, and in 2007, it won BMW’s Center of Excellence Award, which recognizes sales leadership with the highest level of customer satisfaction. At the same time, Rahal Letterman Racing was also looking for a recognizable brand that could partner with the company for its return to the American Le Mans Series circuit.
Rahal decided that a dynamic form of signage would best fit its philosophy. The company specifically sought commercial-grade panels for extended use, a wall mount to hide cables for a sleek look, and sound capability for entertainment purposes. “We wanted to deploy screens in high-traffic areas with the intent to use them as a marketing tool, featuring vehicles, dealer services, and announcements,” said Rick Speicher, vice president of operations for Bobby Rahal Automotive Group. “Creating a high-end feel that matched the prestige of the dealership was critical in our search for the appropriate digital signage solution.”
The search led to NEC Display Solutions. NEC matched the dealership’s dedication to advanced development, precise engineering, and supreme quality, and Rahal purchased seven NEC MultiSync 15 Series displays, at 32-inches and 42-inches. The screens are located at the retail parts area, the vehicle loaner desk, and the staff offices. They display content about parts merchandising and sales, as well as announcements about the latest accessories and upcoming events.
Rahal also purchased two, 46-inch NEC M46-2-AVT displays for use as entertainment in the client lounge and office. In addition, two NP905 projectors were mounted onto the ceiling in the conference rooms for training sessions and presentations. All of the display content runs on Exhibio software, which utilizes a standalone server that allows content to be broadcast to individual screens or all of the screens on the network.
“Having the digital displays allows us to easily maneuver the content for special events,” said Speicher. “On a day-to-day basis, the office displays are driven towards service specials. We’ve noticed an increase in the interaction our staff has had with customers, and the screens are a huge aspect because they create an opportunity to engage in conversation where it might not have occurred prior.”
Due to the success of the digital signage, Rahal is considering rolling out additional screens at other dealership locations and for future projects. “The enormous positive feedback we’ve experienced from NEC’s products has motivated us to think of new ways to utilize the technology,” said Speicher. “We would love to work with NEC on potential future projects, both at our South Hills location and possibly other Bobby Rahal dealerships, based on the incredible performance with our recent implementation.”
For more information, visit www.necdisplay.com.
Winners of Inca’s First-Ever IDEAs!
The winners of the first Inca Digital Excellence Awards (IDEAs) have been announced! The IDEAs celebrate creative effects and products created by companies around the world using Inca Digital printers.
Some of the entries included lenticular walls, interior dŽcor, displays, and 3D POS products. Entries were created using a variety of materials, such as aluminum, leather, acrylic, and plywood.
“We are delighted by the number and quality of entries that showed the considerable potential for digital print,” says Dr Linda Bell, CEO of Inca Digital. “The sheer range of applications show the ingenuity and creativity of our customers using the full range of our printers.”
The IDEA 2010 winners included:
POS/POP Graphics: Daelprinting, Belgium, for the design and production of a 3D cargo bike for Kraft Foods using the Inca Onset S20.
Product Decoration & Speciality Products: Visual Marking Systems, USA, for printing Crossbows with a camouflage decoration and instructions on an Inca Spyder 320+w.
Off the Wall: America Digitaal Druk, The Netherlands, for a Tropical Forest Lenticular Wall that comes to life when you walk past it printed on a Inca Eagle 44.
For a complete list of winners, visit www.signshop.com.
SchrŽder Lights Up the 2010 World Cup
The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup just wrapped up in South Africa with Spain taking home the cup, and SchrŽder Hestia luminaires were used to brighten up the games by illuminating the pedestrian walkways, paths, and landscapes at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The Hestia luminaires were used in various lamp configurations to meet the stadium precinct’s specifications and ensure the correct Photometric solution. The luminaires are crafted out of cast aluminum and glass, and they are designed around the Sealsafe¨ micro-reflector for state-of-the-art photometrics. IP66 rated to prevent dust and water ingress, the luminaires are impact resistance and Dark Sky compliant, as well.
For more information, visit www.schreder.us.
Sign Biz Teams Up with HP
Sign Biz, Inc. has been granted a special reseller status by Hewlett Packard (HP) to market and sell HP’s new L25500 and L65500 sixty-inch printer.
“We appreciate this printer for a number of reasons, just one of which is the ‘green’ aspect,” says Paul Strauch, vice president of Worldwide Product Development for Sign Biz. “This latex printer is utilizing ‘Latex’ water-based, environment friendly inks for vibrant, photo-realistic prints.”
The printers also save time because the prints are dry when they emerge. No air scrubbers draw electrical power, either, which saves energy and eliminates the problems of dealing with harmful VOCs and smell issues. The printers can print on virtually any substrate, such as vinyl, polyester film, and a number of PVC-free media. They are ideal for use with applications as varied as banners, vehicle wraps, lightbox graphics, and wall murals.
“This is a huge industry that affords almost limitless niche development—from wall murals and vehicle wraps to gorgeous three-dimensional branding elements and lobby video signs,” says president and CEO Teresa M. Young. “Our relationship with HP has been strong for many years, but the latex printer offers a new dimension to that.”
A Summer Sign Shop Promotion from Mutoh!
Mutoh is offering its ValueJet 1304 54-inch printer for only $14,995—a 20 percent discount from the MSRP of $18,495. A free second-year warranty is also included.
ValueJet 1304 comes with Mutoh Edition SE RIP Software with an optional take-up system available. The printer can reach print speeds of up to 145 square feet/hour in production mode using Eco-Ultra Ink, and it can be used to produce posters, banners, long-term backlit signage, and much more.
The Carwraps¨ Business Builder program can also be added on for only $995 (a $5000 value). The program includes training, support, and marketing assistance with the primary objectives of greater efficiency and effectiveness, which results in higher profits. Visit www.mutohcarwraps.com for more information.
This special promotion is only available until September 30, 2010. To learn more or to take advantage of the promotion, visit www.mutoh.com or call 1-800-99-MUTOH.
New Appointments
The Digital Signage Federation (DSF) has created a new Standards Committee. Ken Goldberg, CEO of Real Digital Media, has been appointed to chair the committee, which will set standards for key issues such as measurement, integration and messaging, and semantics. The committee will be permanent, and will work to endorse, establish, and advocate standards that will pave a road toward a stronger and more efficient industry.
Gemini Incorporated announces the opening of its new 30,000 square-foot plaque foundry in Decorah, Iowa. The foundry is fully operational and cast bronze and aluminum plaques are already being made on a routine basis. Thanks to the new foundry, Gemini’s casting capacity has expanded to sizes of more than seven feet in diameter.
The International Sign Association announces the retirement of Brian McNamara. For 26 years, McNamara was pivotal in building ISA’s International Sign Expo and drawing attendees and exhibitors from around the world. McNamara will continue to serve ISA in a consulting role through June 2011.
Leslie Gallery Dilworth, FAIA has retired from the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD). Dilworth served as SEGD’s executive director and CEO for twelve years. During her time with SEGD, she is credited with leading the development of a multi-faceted educational program for environmental graphic designers and for fostering SEGD’s leadership in ADA compliance, sustainability, dynamic environments, and other areas. She also started the segdDESIGN magazine in 2003. Ann Makowski, COO, is serving as interim executive director as SEGD searches for a replacement.
WAC Lighting announces the grand opening of its new offices in Shanghai, China. The China sales and marketing program will be led by Zengkai Dai, president of WAC Lighting (Shanghai) Company Ltd.
Meetings and Events
JULY
July 27-31: The United Franchise Group, which includes Sign-A-Rama, will hold its World Expo 2010 at the World Center Resort in Orlando, Florida. To register, visit www.ufgworldexpo.com.
AUGUST
August 5-8: Danville, Illinois will be home to the Danville Dog Gone Dandy Walldogs event. There are twelve murals planned for this event. For more information, call 217/671-1266 or email Scott Lindley at cslstudio@comcast.net.
August 17-19: SGIA will hold its G7 Expert/Professional Training Class, which is designed exclusively for screen print and wide format inkjet printers. The class offers certification in G7 methodology, as well as the opportunity to maximize color accuracy and gain a competitive advantage. The class will be held at M&R Companies at 6200 W. Howard Street in Niles, Illinois. To learn more, visit www.SGIA.org, keyword: G7.
Sponsored Links
This Month's Trivia Answer:
ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act. Check out Sign Builder Illustrated’s Special Section on installing ADA signage in the upcoming August issue.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other
sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the August 2010 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Special Expanded Section: ADA/Wayfinding Installation
Digital Printing Outdoor
Electric Codes
Monuments Installation
Neon Lighting
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the September 2010 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Electronic Digital Signs
LED Modules
Sandblast Fabrication
HDU Sign Blanks
Estimating/Business Management Software
Vinyl Tools
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today.
As the premier e-newsletter for the sign industry, SBI Update encourages readers to send feedback on what you like, what you'd like to see, and any other comments you might have. To do so, send an e-mail to Associate Editor Ashley Bray at abray@sbpub.com.
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© 2010 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
345 Hudson St., 12th Floor • New York, NY 10014
212-620-7200
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Outsourcing to Bloomingdale Signs by Tomorrow can allow your company to expand product mix without the expense of additional machinery. We offer GRAND FORMAT roll-to-roll printing up to 16' wide and FLATBED printing up to 6.5' x 10.5' at WHOLESALE PRICES. To visit our Web site, click on:
www.bloomingdalesigns.com
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Get New Clients with ADA Signs Welcome to the most powerful sign engine on the web, signmojo.com! Over 30 styles, 56 colors, and 1800+ products. Customize, proof, and order your signs online! Go to www.signmojo.com/signup. By adding our link, you & your customers can place orders. We make the signs and then send you a check!
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The new OcŽ Arizona¨ 550 XT UV flatbed printer provides a large 8’ x 10’ image size at a speed more than twice as fast as its predecessor. Produce POP-quality prints at more than 14 4’-x-8’ boards an hour. Cost effectively produce one offs, short-run and double-sided work.
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New Tangential Knife System Boosts Print to Cut Applications A new tangential knife head is now available, which significantly enhances the material processing capabilities of all AXYZ machines. It can be mounted alongside a heavy-duty router, and the oscillating knife unit could be used on a third head if required. A selection of easily interchangeable blade cartridges allow ultimate versatility for using creasing wheels and 45 degree blades as well as the more standard vertical blades, heavy-duty saber blade, ‘pizza’ wheel cutter, and more. Email enquiries@axyz.com for more information, and click here for a video: http://www.axyz.com/sys/knife
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Buyer's Guide 2009
Published twice per year in October and April, the Buyer's Guide lists manufacturers, distributors, and sign companies that comprise the industry in the U.S. and Canada. SBI Buyer's Guide
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes Digital With live hyperlinks to video clips, advertiser information, and other features, SBI Digital offers the newest online technology with the familiar layout of a hardcopy issue. To view an example, click on:
SBI Digital Magazine
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Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1 Learn secrets to fabricating neon, illuminating with LED, sandblasting signs, applying paints, cutting and printing vinyl, and more in this 288-page, full-color reprinting of Sign Builder Illustrated's trademark How-To articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on: SBI How-To Book
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Sign Builder Illustrated presents:
It's a Wrap! Check out this special SBI supplement for all the information you need to get started, get good, and get profitable in the world of vehicle graphics. From wrap schools and required tools, to marketing your skills and paying the bills, this How-to supplement has it all. Check out the digital version here:
It's a Wrap!
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Inca Winners