Industry News

Sept 2010- Media Resources International

For Immediate Release September 8, 2010

The Grant Sign Group (GSG) one of North America’s leading out-of-home service providers has changed its name to Media Resources International (MRI) and added three new offices in Calgary, Edmonton and New York City.

“The main reason for the name change” says Steve Gallow, a principal partner at MRI “is the growth and diversity of our products and services over the past decade. The Grant Sign Group name has long represented the sign installation side of the business. Today our product line and operations have expanded to include manufacturing, production and service maintenance for a wide array of outdoor and indoor displays including LED, digital, 3D, traditional large and small format outdoor advertising, tri-vision displays and POP digital printing. We also offer a multitude of specialized displays for events and trade shows, stage and studio backdrops, street furniture as well as parts and systems just to name a few”.

Gallow adds “We are really a resource to our customers and our main ones are media related. This new name helps incorporate all our sister companies (Grant Sign Imaging, Rite Sign International, Media Maintenance and Grant Sign Service) as a single entity. We have also made several internal changes in our sales, customer service and operations departments to provide a more streamlined service for our clients”.

MRI (www.mediaresources.com) was established in 1967 and has offices in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, New York City and Naples, Florida. MRI’s founding partners are Cal Courneya, Keith Edwards, Steve Gallow, Bill Mullen and Will Thomson - all who have years of experience in the ooh industry and a network of ooh associates worldwide.

In addition, to providing the only channel letters in the industry guaranteed not to corrode, chip, crack or dent, Gemini is giving sign professionals the option of ordering cans and faces alone or buying them fully populated, balanced and tested with GE Tetra LEDs & corresponding transformers. Gemini lit letter products are UL recognized components, meeting all UL specifications for electric signs.

Illuminated letters give sign professionals more design flexibility and the option of LED illumination. Gemini currently offers three main lighted letter and logo products: Injection Molded Channel Letters, GemLite Formed Channel Letters & Logos, and Fabricated Stainless Steel Letters & Logos. As always, all Gemini manufactured products are backed with our unconditional lifetime guarantee.

For more information about Gemini letters, logos, plaques and markers, visit www.signletters.com or call Gemini toll-free at 1-800-265-0426 or email canada@signletters.com

The decision to expand the company’s plaque manufacturing facilities by building a new foundry was made to meet a growing demand for plaques within the sign and recognition industries. Gemini broke ground on the facility in the fall of 2007, and construction continued through the winter of 2007-208, working on the building throughout one of the coldest and snowiest winters in recent memory.

Leading the effort at the new Decorah foundry is Plant Manager Kevin Weselmann. A 23-year veteran of Gemini, Weselmann had previously been the plant manager for Gemini’s cast letter foundry in Decorah. Already, cast bronze and aluminum plaques are being made on a routine basis.

Besides cast plaques, Gemini offers etched, ADA, Bas Relief, ceramic inserts, Giclée, and Photo Relief plaques. To serve its customers better, Gemini has seven production facilities located in North America: Neustadt, Ontario; Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Decorah, Iowa; Fallon, Nevada; Taylor, Texas; and Farmville, Virginia in the United States; and Tamaulipas, Mexico.
For more information about Gemini plaques and markers, visit www.geminiplaques.com or call Gemini toll-free at 1-800-265-0426 or email canada@signletters.com

St. Jacobs - Ontario: Brent Raynor and Mark Buie of Manufacturers Automation Inc. have been visiting customers and potential customers along with their distributors. The purpose of these visits was to assist distributors in demonstrating the Adaptive Micro Systems line of LED displays and digital signage solutions to potential customers. Adaptive has an equipped truck with a 4 foot by 8 foot LED sign which can be programmed to display a variety of messages that could be applicable to the prospects requirements.

Manufacturers Automation Inc. (MAPP) has been in the signage business for over 28 years starting with factory automation. These signs were used on the factory floor to display pertinent information to their employees. Signs today are used in both indoor and outdoor applications, and in single colour or multi-colour configurations. The Adaptive truck comes fully equipped with a hydraulic lift and is computer controlled to allow various messages to be displayed. It is quite eye catching to see this large sign moving through the roof of the truck and then allow various messages to be shown. Brent and Mark have been visiting a number of potential customers of their associates through out Ontario and Quebec. According to Brent, "We not only sell signs, we sell the right sign for the application. MAPP is in a position to offer full services from installation, programming, training and after sale service."

Adaptive Micro Systems, an American company has been in the sign business for the past 32 years and in partnership with MAPP for the past 25 years.

Introducing the next generation of digital printing: the new HP Designjet L25500 Printer, featuring innovative HP Latex Inks!

Increase your productivity and grow your business with this innovative solution that helps you and your customers print while keeping the environment in mind. The new HP Designjet L25500 Printer features exclusive, water-based, odorless HP Latex Inks for prints that dry instantly and are ready-to-use right out of the printer.

Print an incredible range of indoor and outdoor applications without sacrificing quality or durability. Plus, save time and expense with reliable automated maintenance, unattended printing and easy user-replaceable snap-out/snap-in print head replacement.

Discover how you can snap up more business and keep the environment in mind with the affordable, dependable HP Designjet L25500 Printer.

Here at Sign Depot, we’re very excited to have moved into our new location,
across from our 50 Borden Ave S. shop.
We’re hoping you’ll join in celebration by attending our GRAND RE-OPENING being held Friday May 14th from 1pm-5:30pm.
Come for the BBQ, Shop Tour, Food Drive & Meet Mayor Carl Zehr.

To view the invitation CLICK HERE
Please RSVP by April 30 2010 to:
Lisa 519-894-0890 or accounting@sign-depot.on.ca
& let her know how many from your company will be attending.

Neustadt, ON- Gemini Incorporated, a major manufacturer of dimensional letters, logos and plaques for the sign industry, introduces new GemLeaf™ Letters, which use an ultra-thin coating of real metal leaf applied to Gemini’s modified Premium Extruded Acrylic.

Manufactured exclusively by Gemini, GemLeaf letters use the latest technology to replicate the age-old gilding process with real metal leaf applied to Gemini acrylic in thicknesses of approximately .0004". Unlike metal laminates, all GemLeaf products are laser cut for the ultimate in precision.

Featuring a variety of finishes, including Brushed Aluminum, Brushed Brass, Brushed Pewter and Brushed Copper; GemLeaf letters are the perfect solution for a project that requires the look of metal but the weight or application calls for a more delicate material. With Gemini’s GemLeaf Letters, you can not only provide your customers with an elegant, high-end look, but you can do it without the cost of more expensive metal options. GemLeaf letters and logos are also ideal for exhibits and display applications because their laser-cut precision allows for exacting replication of any artwork.

Gemini’s GemLeaf letters feature a real metal-faced product with a flawless polished edge. Currently, standard letters are available from 1" to 20" and in thickness ranging from 1/8" to 1/2" in any standard or custom style – large enough to get noticed and small enough for intricate detail and accent signage.

While GemLeaf letters are recommended for interior applications, Gemini’s premium acrylic stock is impact modified specifically to reduce breakage, and its toughness and durability holds up much better than laminated letters on either urethane or PVC foam substrates.

Gemini Inc. has been a world leader in the development and production of dimensional letters, logos and plaques since 1964. To serve its customers better, Gemini has plants located in Neustadt, Ontario; Minnesota, Iowa, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia in the United States; and Tamaulipas, Mexico.
For more information, visit Gemini at www.signletters.com.
You may also call Gemini toll-free at 1-800-265-0426 or email canada@signletters.com.

All Graphic Supplies introduces the new 54" wide

Laminator RM-1401 CLTW.
To view the flyer CLICK HERE

Working in conjunction with Zoomerang, ISA conducted an on line survey of business owners asking what they thought about the state of the industry and what they thought the comming year would be like.

It is with great pleasure that the Student Awards Office announces the recipient of the Robert E Mattatall Graphic Signs Arts Award as nominated by Graphic Sign Arts Certificate program of NAIT.

The selected candidate fo the 2009-2010 Academic Year is: Stephen Raso
Stephen is a first year student in the Graphic Sign Arts program. He completed his first semester with an Honors standing of 83.68%.

We, at NAIT are fortunate to see the impact your award has on students; knowing the assistance you provide to our students helps them to obtain their present and future goals. SAC-ACE is a vital link to the success of NAIT and we truly appreciate your involvement.

Sabrina Giordano
Student Awards Coordinator

Olympic image makeover - it's a wrap

Sticking vinyl graphics on skyscrapers and venues was a tall order but the sports images are in place and giving the area a unique look, Mark Hume writes

When Andy Stilin's team finally wraps things up at the Olympics, it will be impossible not to notice how the image of the host city has been transformed.(...cont)

For the full article and photos, click here:
3M Article - Globe and Mail

Feb 2010- TFT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/02/2010 ● SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC
TFT Transfotec unveils its new corporate image
After more than 25 years delivering world-class lighting components and systems, TFT Transfotec International unveils its new corporate image: HEICO Lighting™.

In the recent years, major technological and environmental changes have challenged and motivated the TFT team to reinvent itself. With the launch of Virgolite™, the first and only Contactless LED module, TFT has set a new standard in solid-state LED lighting. For its simplicity of installation and high-energy efficiency, the Virgolite™ Induction LED Technology has been rapidly adopted by many visionary industry leaders as their standard for new illumination system.

February 2010 marks a turning point in TFT’s corporate image with the introduction of HEICO Lighting™; a new corporate identity that shows the strong support of HEICO Corporation, its parent-company.

It also confirms the full commitment of TFT/HEICO Lighting™ to develop and improve its technology and systems, and its willingness to expand into other market segments.

“The launch of our new website and corporate image, along with new business opportunities and product proposals are all complementary to our strong business values that made us successful for the past 25 years. By making this change, we want to communicate clearly our major competitive advantages that could make your business more successful in a turbulent economy” says Vital Dumais President & CEO of HEICO Lighting™.

HEICO Lighting™ will pursue its efforts to strengthen its market position and is determined to "lead the solid state lighting industry while contributing to society through the development of meaningful lighting innovations".

Starting today, you can take a peak at our new corporate image by visiting:
www.heicolighting.com

Join us in our new journey to success and contact us today to find out how you can benefit from our technologies and products!

HEICO Lighting™ specializes in designing, producing and marketing world-class electronic lighting products. We provide from individual components to private-label turnkey light engines. Additional information is available at www.heicolighting.com or by calling 1-800-665-1166.

Dec 2009 - ND Graphics

Dear Customer,

                    I would like to announce that I, along with the senior management team of ND Graphics, have acquired significantly all of the assets of ND Graphics from Gerber Scientific Products.

                    To say that we are all very excited about this change would indeed be an understatement. As president of ND Graphics for the past ten years it has always been my dream to bring ND Graphics back under local Canadian management, as of September 30th 2009, that dream has been realised.

                    Our friends at Gerber have been and continue to be a first class organization. ND Graphics will continue to be Gerber's exclusive distributor in Canada for their products going forward and we are all extremely excited about what the future holds for Gerber as they continue to cement their position in the marketplace as the leaders in their field.

                    For the employees of ND Graphics Inc. this is an exciting and challenging change for all of us. Whilst we enjoyed our experience of working with Gerber, the time was right to move on and to be able to take ND Graphics to a new level. I firmly believe that as customers of ND you will see an ever stronger commitment from all of us to make sure we exceed your expectations as a supplier.

                    I would personally like to thank all of our customers from coast to coast, without your continued support we could never have realised our dream.

                    Thank You

                    Mark West.

Dec 2009 - Corel
Corel and SAC have teamed up with an increadible new offer!
Click here to read the details.
Sign up for the Corel Approved Service Bureau and receive:

(2) Lic. copies of Corel X4, Word Perfect X4

Unlimited specialized Technical Support on a dedicated toll-free telephone line.

Many more benifits.
All for a special offer of $349usd
To download the PDF information page Click here

Nov 2009 - Corel
It's not over yet, but what a year it has been!
In 2009 we proudly marked the 20th Anniversary of CorelDRAW. We celebrated by launching the CorelDRAW International Design Contest and releasing the CorelDRAW Anniversary Edition.
As we look ahead to next year, which will be Corel's 25th Anniversary, we'd love to get your feedback on how you use CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
You can send your thoughts and comments to us via email at bydesign@corel.com
To read the Corel Newsletter Click Here