Durden Signs converted 365 static faces from the rod system to the SignSprings system. Billboard Insider talked with VP of Operations Bill Durden about the results.
How big was your Sign Springs conversion project?
We bought enough springs to do one poster face and decided to install them on a face that we didn’t use very much and observe it for 8 months. Our concerns were that the industry standard for installing eco-posters was the rod system. This system has been used for years and is tried and true to the industry so why should we be different? Three things we didn’t like about this system was that you had to purchase rods, use the “fishing pole” to install the top rod and the fact you had to use a drill to tighten one vertical rod to snug up the eco poster. During the 8 months we observed the initial LIND SPRING eco poster we did our best to find something wrong with them. The springs didn’t rust, bend, or break. The idea of installing these springs 16″ apart affixed to the billboard trim a metal face or trim seemed so stupid simple…..but it worked very well!! Our team liked the springs so much we installed them on all 365 poster faces we own and operate in Alabama and Florida.
What cost was involved?
The springs were a few hundred bucks per poster face so we ended up investing a total of $60,000 worth of springs in 2021.
How long did the conversion take.
Our plant is 55 years old so we have several variations of trim on our poster faces spread over 9 counties but all are 12″ wide. You have to have enough space between the poster face and the trim to install the spring (see photos). For boards with newer trim, this is not a problem. However, boards with older trim that is “slammed” against the poster face might have to be removed so the installers can install newer trim brackets. These brackets allow for more space between the trim and the face. We have a very experienced production team so we converted all 365 faces in 12 months time.
The LIND SPRING overhaul made our entire plant look so much better as majority of the trim had been up for 15-50 years and was caked with glue, dirt or had paint peeling. The worst of the trim we would remove and install new trim. Then bring the that trim back to the shop to sand, repaint and refurb to go back out into the field.
What are some other benefits?
Labor cost along with training time for new bill posters decreased as before LIND SPRINGS we had been using glue and paper. These springs will pay for themselves in less than 2.5 years as we’ll have no more scrapes and repair time, glue to purchase cost, paper poster to coagulate or pull thru glue. Plus, once we installed these springs our sales staff changed from a 4 week to an 8 week rotation cycle which was a HUGE benefit because now we could count on the Eco posters lasting longer in the field. From our experience you can get 1-2 rotations from each of the eco posters before the material needs to be discarded. Camel City Printing produces a great Eco-poster with LindSpring finishing.
In addition to acting as VP of Operations for Durden Outdoor Bill Durden moonlights as a professional hand model. You can email Bill at dollabill@durdenoutdoor.com
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