Blanchett Signage Solutions continues to focus on growth, creativity, and innovation, following its recent milestone and rebrand. Photos courtesy Blanchett Signage Solutions
By Carly McHugh
At Blanchett Signage Solutions, the key to success is all in the family.
What began as a postwar business venture in the late 1940s has since evolved into a household name in Edmonton and throughout the Canadian sign industry, with high-quality projects on display across the western provinces. Now spearheaded by father-daughter duo Daryl and Taylor Blanchett, the shop previously known as Blanchett Neon continues to focus on growth, creativity, and innovation, following its recent 75-year anniversary.
Sign Media Canada spoke with Taylor about the history of the business, along with its recent projects and specialities, as well as her family’s plans for expanding its legacy.
Sign Media Canada (SMC): What is the history of your shop?
Taylor Blanchett (TB): Blanchett Decorators: Neon & Sign Division was founded in 1947 by George W. Blanchett, when he saw an opportunity to service the business boom following the Second World War.
Born in 1909 into an artistic and business-savvy family, George was given the opportunity to intern for Clyde Hook of Hook Signs at age 15, and he began applying those talents to the production of commercial signs, bulletins, and pictorials. He was a fierce believer in the highest quality products that stood the test of time—often personally walking the production floor to ensure the finished products met his extremely thorough standards.
Currently, Blanchett is a fourth-generation, family owned and operated signage provider, based in Edmonton and passionately servicing Western Canada. We work with organizations of all sizes to provide turnkey solutions and ensure complete customer satisfaction.
This year, we were proud to unveil our rebrand as Blanchett Signage Solutions—a name we feel better reflects the full scope of who we are today, while honouring the legacy built over the past 75 years.
SMC: What makes your company unique?
Blanchett has been in its current office and manufacturing space since 1969, with additional space added over the years.
TB: Seventy-five years of excellence in the industry, specialized professionals in their respective fields, knowing our target audience intimately, and understanding our customers’ needs to provide signage that truly stands out.
We also stand behind our workmanship, quality, and integrity, and guide and support our customers on their signage journey from stem to stern. We work collaboratively with cross-functional partners, so our clients can rest assured Blanchett is fully immersed in their projects to achieve success.
SMC: How large is your facility?
TB: We’ve been in our current office and manufacturing space since 1969, with an addition completed in the late 2000s. In 2020, we leased an additional bay directly behind our back gate, and a second bay was leased and connected to the first one in the beginning of 2023.
Today, we span more than 3,809 m2 (41,000 sf) across our three facilities, with almost
50 employees.
SMC: What type of signage does your shop primarily install?
TB: For projects big or small, our comprehensive project management services offer a one-stop shop for any and all signage needs.
We truly believe we have the most knowledgeable team of signage professionals in the industry, and we bring our more than
75 years of experience to provide expert advice on how to successfully execute projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer design and creative consulting, permitting and appeal solutions, wayfinding programs, drafting and engineering, manufacturing, and service and maintenance.
