Enterprise Signs Leads the Way in Nationwide LED Retrofit Programs
OVERVIEW
Fluorescent tubes and LED (light-emitting diode) used for brand signage are meant for high-output efficiency and are designed for outdoor environments. Often called faux neon, some LED products have the appearance of neon, but all the energy saving benefits of its technology.
Recent technological advancements include border tubing accessories that can be bent and cut on the spot. These tubes can also be wired together to wrap around a building perimeter, and come in various models, colors, brightness levels, lenses, and price ranges.
Before venturing towards a new retrofit program, it is recommended to connect with the right signage experts to audit your signage needs correctly, so you can save overall labor and project costs just as effectively.
Making sure to connect with the right signage partner, and properly assessing all the sites for a particular program, is the most accurate method in deciding if a retrofit is the right project for your business.
APPROACH
Assess
15-years after re-branding their signage to LEDs, a client desired to retrofit their remaining brand’s signage across their densely packed 285-stores within the state of Wisconsin. They contracted a local signage firm convincing the client to use low-quality Tier-3 LEDs from Asia.
After a few dozen stores were completed, the client realized that they were in a greater bind than they had hoped. They halted the project but ran into the challenge of completing the other stores. The client was stressed and desperate to re-build their signage, without going over additional time and breaking their initial overall budget – after seeing their costs increasing more than 30% than what they had forecasted.
A strong reference provided insight into our signage programs, which led the client to contact us immediately about their dilemma. We immediately recognized the lack of data on their assets, and we provided a field audit to assess their rebranding needs.
Making sure to connect with the right signage partner, and to precisely assess all the sites for a particular program, is the most accurate method in deciding if a retrofit is the right project for your business.
LED’s are built for cold weather, and many systems are rated as low as -40°F, and can be fitted with border tubing and accents, giving the look of neon, but all the benefits of LED.
Strategy
After the initial assessment, we developed an immediate lower-cost strategy to replace and finish their remaining properties.
The previous Tier-3 refreshes did not pose problems, and we maintained minimal labor costs due to the proximity of the client’s nearby business locations. Thus, saving the client more than 25% of their expenses that contributed towards their retrofit.
In addition, we recommended that they retrofit their signage with proper certified LED products, which are better overall options towards utility savings and maintenance longevity. Furthermore, LEDs can handle the harsh Wisconsin winters, and provide the neon aesthetic the client desired.
LED’s are built for cold weather, and many systems are rated as low as -40°F, and can be fitted with border tubing and accents, giving the look of neon, but all the benefits of LEDs.
Completion
The overall completion of the LED retrofit took 75 days to finish. The client recognized a 14% savings from their original budget, and reduced their maintenance costs to zero in the first 12-months and were on target to achieve a complete return on their investment in less than 26-months.
RESULTS
Completion
Completed retrofit program within 75 days
Savings
14% budget savings
Maintenance
Reduced to 0 in first 12-months
ROI
ROI in less than 26-months
Retrofitting is a massive brand refresh project, which can take months to complete if done improperly. As a stakeholder, be committed to the communication process and evaluate your vendors to the fullest. Make sure you have the proper suggestions that suit your brand’s best interests, and connect with a national leading signage partner that will provide easier results, with better resources available for your region.