Alongside Access Signs’ regular national signage programs, the creative team is currently working on several multi-tenant pylon projects.
SMC: What tools/equipment do you currently use to complete your sign projects?
LM: We currently have two computer numerical control (CNC) machines—Machitech and Axyz—in the facility. We also have an Accu-Bend channel letter bending machine, a fully-equipped metal shop, and two large-scale paint booths that shoot AzkoNobel, Matthews Paint, and Grip-Gard. The shop also boasts a large-format printer, plotter, and laminator, as well as a range of smaller fabrication-related equipment.
SMC: What does your planning and design process involve?
LM: After an initial consultation with a sales representative, the client information is translated to our design department. Once
the sign code is verified by our in-house permit specialist, the design team goes over the project requirements, including size restrictions, budget, and vision, and creates a proposition based on what they believe would bring the best value to the client and their respective project.
SMC: How is today’s technology changing your business?
LM: We use custom-designed signage software that is proprietary to Access Signs. The program has streamlined many aspects of our business from estimating to project management, fabrication, planning, forecasting, and accounting. It also allows us to stay competitive—the more efficient you are, the better you can service the client. Further, investing in new machinery can make the sign building process faster, more efficient, and reliable, with less downtime. Adopting new technology can also streamline different work processes and eliminate a lot of internal frustration.
SMC: What makes your company unique?
LM: Access Signs has a diverse labour force, and this gives us the freedom to experiment with our ideas. Having a mix, for example, of young professionals and experienced staff in the creative department provides a fresh and technical perspective when creating projects that are unique to the industry. Many of our signs may appear ‘exotic’ to most companies as they are architectural rather than pure signage as it is understood today.
Our uniqueness also lies in our work culture. We value our employees and celebrate their birthdays with cakes, monthly pizza lunches, food trucks, etc.
