Insider interviewed Tom Giesken of Giesken Outdoor Advertising about the pros and cons of using the Lind Outdoor’s SignSprings system to hang billboard vinyl.  Giesken outdoor operates billboard plant in Southeast Michigan.

Tom, tell us about how you’ve used the SignSprings system in your billboard plant.

I got their emails for over a year and just couldn’t believe it worked as easily as they portrayed. So I called John Siegenthaler, the owner of Sign Springs and asked if I could go out with his crew and do a wallscape. They allowed it and we did a huge 50 x 80 wall scape in a couple hours. Then I actually drove around and looked at some of their Billboards that had been retrofitted with the same spring system and it was all true. So, I’ve been changing out my boards to this application and even offer it as a service to my clients who are wanting to put some signage on their buildings. They are very very impressed and thankful to me as well. And you never have any wrinkles like you do sometimes using ratchet straps.

What were your costs to retrofit your plant to SignSprings?

It takes about 54 Sign Springs for a 10’7 x 22’9 poster panel which equals about $162 just for the springs. It takes about two and a half to three hours to retrofit each board but I do everything by myself so that could be faster if you have two guys. Figure your hourly wages multiplied by that. That’s pretty much it.

What changes have you had to make in your vinyl ordering signs installing the SignSprings system?

Two things.

• I used to get the 13 ounce vinyl substrate but now the 7 or even 9 ounce substrate which works fine because the J bolts and ratchet straps aren’t drawing the tension so hard because you’re just using Springs. The tension is spaced out over 50+ springs instead 8 j bolts or a handful of ratchet straps. Those are a little cheaper so you save a few bucks as well.

• The vinyls are made just a tad smaller.

What are the benefits of the SignSprings system to a billboard operator?

There are a couple benefits but the one value added advantage is the speed at posting. It is far and above a lot faster and easier than any other system out there. You can also do it in a little bit higher winds then typically normal as well which can save you money on a poster going out to a board and then driving back because it was too windy.

Any drawbacks of the system versus vinyl straps?

Just the change over and extra costs to do it. It has a very quick payback though.

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