I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for The Sign Factory work at our mixed-use urban development project at Thornton Place (Northgate). This project consists of 278 apartments, 109 condominiums and 115,000 sf of retail.

We have engaged you in design assistance, permitting, fabrication and installation of numerous sign groups throughout our project.

You have proven your expertise in producing the base sign standards for the retail tenants, the pedestrian way-finding signage, the large rooftop project signs, parking direction signage and the large exterior retail signs.

We have been impressed with our very professional design and production staff.  You have completed the work per budgets and on time.  We look forward to a continuing relationship with you and your company.  I will be happy to personally recommend The Sign Factory to other commercial projects.

Sincerely,

Tom Croonquist

Retail Development Director

Thank you so much for all your creativity, coordination and concern in making the replacement Paramount vertical sign project a success, From beginning to end.

Partnering with The Sign Factory on this project was a great business decision.  Projects such as this replication are expensive.  However we at the Seattle Theater Group felt that The Sign Factory had a great understanding of this project and what it meant to us, and the City of Seattle.

“The most significant sign in Seattle”, City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board.

The new sign is over 90% more energy efficient than its predecessor
· Lighting – .75 watt LED bulbs & neon tubing

· Aluminum – 44% recycled materials

· New Electrical systems


We received a great return on this investment.  Appreciated, too, is your concern for how our dollars were spent and your regular updates.

Moreover, we can’t express enough what a joy it is working with you.  We’ll not hesitate to call upon your services again when needed.

Sincerely,

David Allen

Director of Operations, Seattle Theatre Group

]]> http://thesignfactoryusa.com/2010/02/02/the-paramount-theatre/feed/ 0 http://thesignfactoryusa.com/2010/01/18/incentives-to-upgrade-your-business/ http://thesignfactoryusa.com/2010/01/18/incentives-to-upgrade-your-business/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:39:12 +0000 ken http://thesignfactoryusa.com/?p=491

Current economic challenges are forcing many companies to reevaluate their business operations and find ways to affect their bottom line a positive way.  Increased costs of energy, and the impact of current energy use on the environment have inspired companies to go green, but they have found it difficult to do so because of the cost.  Many companies don’t realize they can save money by taking advantage of federal and state tax credits, tax incentives and grant programs that help companies upgrade their facilities with green products.

The Sign Factory, Inc. recently completed the replication of Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre vertical sign. The new sign is identical in appearance to the original landmark but was built using modern green technology. The lighting upgrade and sign retrofit qualified for about $56,000 in energy efficiency rebates from Seattle City Light. The project includes 1,944 LED lamps and 18 energy efficient solid-state neon transformers, rather than the old, inefficient magnetic units. Those changes will save about 493,268 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. That’s enough energy to power about 55 typical homes and adds up to about $25,000 per year in savings for the theatre.

Depending on the city and utility district, businesses will have access to different incentive programs.  These programs typically consist of a tax credit, a tax deduction, or a rebate.  A tax credit is usually more valuable than a tax deduction because a tax credit is a one-for-one dollar reduction in the total tax bill. On the other hand, a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax that is owed.  States, local governments, and utilities offer rebates to promote the installation of energy efficient products.  The rebate amounts vary widely based on the program administrator and technology used.

Incentives to promote the production and use of renewable energy vary widely among states, but often include corporate income tax deductions, exemptions and credits. States provide property tax assessment relief and exemptions, sales tax exemptions and refunds, and grant and rebate programs.

In addition to state incentives, local utilities such as Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy offer incentives, rebates and permitting assistance to customers who would like to go green by upgrading their equipment, lighting and water systems to maximize energy efficiency. Grants are also available for new construction or remodeling of properties with the savings rate based on the level of energy performance improvements beyond code.

(Energy-efficient LED modules)

Washington state and most utility districts have incentives to help businesses retrofit their office space with energy efficient technologies.  Renewable energy production equipment, energy efficient commercial appliances, and updated lighting systems are some of the items businesses can purchase and use that will give them tax breaks.

Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy are two utility districts that provide rebates to their business and residential customers for upgrading to energy-efficient technologies.  Updating indoor lighting, exit signs, and outdoor signage are the most common ways businesses can take advantage of the rebates.   “Typical sign upgrades for rebranding or updating signage should occur every 10 years,” said Jim Risher, president of the Sign Factory, Inc.  According to Risher, the initial cost for the upgrade may be high, but with the tax credits and reduced operating costs it is one of the best times to rebrand and upgrade.

To begin an electrical upgrade, an energy analyst evaluates the lighting project and estimates the rebate and energy savings.  Then, an authorization form is acquired and the business can contact their contactor or project coordinator.  Once the installation of the new product is completed, the utility district will verify that it is completed and meets the standards.  Finally, a rebate check, tax credit or deduction is given to the business in recognition of the energy-efficient upgrade.

Willy Wonka and “the Real hero”…

Click here to read Bendan Kiley’s entertaining article in The Stranger

I am writing this letter of recommendation for The Sign Factory.

I was the Designer responsible for design and project management of the sign program for the Westfield Southcenter project. I worked closely with The Sign Factory on the interior signage portion for this project. They were a pleasure to work with. Their submittals came in on time. They were always available to answer questions and address issues of concern. They were able to meet tight project deadlines and I was pleased with the quality of their work.

I would certainly recommend The Sign Factory for consideration on any relevant future projects that I may be involved with.

Sincerely,

Francine Kalbfeld
Designer

Contact Us »

“This is our third largest sign installation to date that we have worked on together while I’ve been with ShareBuilder and ING DIRECT. It is an absolute masterpiece, a testament to the superior quality of the team at The Sign Factory. so this note is intended to thank you and your team for a job well done, but to also call attention to the partnership we have created because of the way you do business.

Everyone I have contact with at The Sign Factory puts this partnership into practice, whatever it is they do. Craig’s cheery demeanor makes him perfect for the front desk. Liz’s incredible skill at tracking projects, timelines, and people adds a high level of trust in the process. Tom has great experience, wisdom, flexibility and a positive attitude. Of course, how could I forget to mention Ken, the amazing creative genius at The Sign Factory.

What I most appreciate is the fact that you have brought all these people together, created a culture for them to have ownership over their work, demand the best in quality, both in materials and construction, and aren’t afraid to help a customer, like myself, to see the real value in top quality signs that are done right the first time. Your are an excellent leader, always positive and see the bright side of every situation. You have a genuine confidence that carried this latest project through, even when I wasn’t so sure.

I’m very happy with the relationship we’ve developed and look forward to more projects in the not-so-distant future. I would recommend The Sign Factory to any company who wants to get serious about their signs, or even large scale installations. You have earned my trust.”

Eric Boston
ShareBuilder Securities Corporation
Marketing Creative Services

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“The Sign Factory located in Kirkland, Washington has completed various exterior and interior signage needs for Gene Juarez Salons & Spa’s for the last 7 years. They have coordinated, manufactured and installed all signage seamlessly at 7 Gene Juarez locations. In addition, The Sign Factory is my preferred vendor for all maintenance and upgrades to all our locations.

The construction process of a Gene Juarez is twenty weeks and The Sign Factory is on board from the very beginning, working with the architectural & design teams. They also, are very accommodating to our last minute changes or additions and always come in on time and on budget.

In my experience the owner and employees of The Sign Factory are skilled, competent and ethical people. They have always responded to he needs of Gene Juarez Salon’s & Spa’s. I would recommend The Sign Factory for any size project.”

Sincerely,
Susie Burrows
Director of Design & Construction

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After 79 years shining its lights from the corner of Pine St. and 9th Avenue, the 1930s Paramount Theatre sign has weathered and decayed beyond repair and will be replaced. But no worries, taking its place will be an exact replica to be installed over six days starting October 6.

Read Full Article in The Seattle Times »