Kineto Theatre was the 2023 winner in the Building Signs category of Sign Media Canada’s National Sign Competition.
SMC: What tools/equipment do you currently use to complete your projects?
BH: Our production team works with state-of-the-art equipment, including computer numerical control (CNC) metal bending and cutting machines, CNC router tables, large CNC brake machines, a digital flatbed printer, a roll-to-roll printer, paint and bake booths for automotive-quality paint finishes and colour matches, CNC letter formers, vacuum formers, digital printers, and RollsRoller flatbed applicators.
SMC: What are some of the steps involved in your planning process?
BH: Pride Signs uses an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This software allows us to link all major functions and focus on customer satisfaction. The planning process begins with customers and understanding their brand and plans. A capacity planning module within the ERP system maintains an on-hand inventory of raw material, ensuring the lead time is virtually eliminated, and we can build to order with short cycle times. With cutting-edge project and production management features, Pride Signs can plan and track every step, from initial order to delivery of the final product. The software also allows us to leverage customer relationship management (CRM), sales tracking, forecasting, and analytics to better serve our client base.
SMC: How is technology changing the business?
BH: Pride Signs is an innovator in the sign industry, with “sign solutions” as a key component of our strategic mission statement. We understand business and technology develop at an accelerating pace. To ensure we are at the forefront of this activity, we have an innovation council that meets monthly to discuss future opportunities, using ideas from inside and outside of the sign industry. These innovations range from product to process and tools, all focused on the needs of our clients. In some cases, we investigate new potential disruptive technologies, and in others, we implement iterative innovation such as improved process flow practices. Our foundation is built upon innovation and that tradition continues today. Through constant communication with our customer base and keeping a close eye on the industry, we understand the pain points and use these as an opportunity to improve. With a focus on research and development, Pride Signs works hard to remain on the leading edge, providing our customers with the solutions they need to maintain success.
SMC: What is the key to staying successful in the sign industry?
Pride Signs strives to remain a key player in the industry and provide customers with the solutions they need for success.
BH: Nowadays, most of the top-performing sign shops offer a full-service experience, meaning they provide all the products and services needed to complete the job in-house. This “one-stop shop” model saves clients time; streamlines the permitting, design, manufacturing, and install processes; and saves clients money along the way.
SMC: What are your future plans for the growth of the business?
BH: The future plans for Pride Signs can be found in our vision statement, “To build a great, enduring, evolving sign solution company that is the leader in the industry.”
By continuing to live our values of passion, recognition, innovation, dedication, and empowerment, Pride Signs continues to stay focused on our team, our clients, and our community.
