Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt
HI SIGNS, SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX NEEDS Hi Signs celebrates 50 years Written by Nerissa McNaughton | Published by Layla Jama
H
i Signs is an architectural signage, wayfinding and design firm focused on providing environments with a sense of: navigation, safety, arrival, community, belonging and brand awareness, among others. As a company that prides itself on providing simple solutions to complex needs, they offer a comprehensive range of services, from planning and design to custom fabrication and project management. With their unique blend of people, passion, process and purpose, Hi Signs
creates solutions through thoughtful design and timely project delivery. The origins of Hi Signs goes back 50 years – and to an unexpected product. “It all started with license plate manufacturing,” says Kelso Brennan, managing director. “Hi Signs had the contract for license plate manufacturing in Western Canada.”
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Photos by Rebecca Lippiatt
The first contract was carried on until license plate manufacturing was taken over by another private company and a mix of the provincial and federal governments. “Those early days were interesting,” smiles Brennan. “Hi Signs was also contracted to do all of the Lotto 6/49 signage in Alberta and soon found itself manufacturing for large programs and companies across Canada, and for all different kinds of franchises. Things morphed over the years and Hi Signs got into signage for traffic, regulatory spaces, airport wayfinding and more.” Matt Abaya, head of marketing and sales, notes, “Projects like the Calgary International Airport’s wayfinding were multi-year, complex ones. Stringent security measures for installation and navigating thousands of people on a daily basis provided an element of pressure for this type of project.” Growth remained steady. Hi Signs moved into a 55,000 square foot facility in 1999 and went on to acquire 310-SIGN, Knorth Creative and the Banff Sign Company from Kelso Brennan. “The acquisition of 310-SIGN was a big inflection point for Hi Signs,” says Brennan. “With the acquisition came about over 100 domain names that were key to feeding a reliable Hi Signs celebrates 50 years • 2
and Lake Louise. We’ve even been requested to create signage programs for hotels in Europe and municipalities on the West Coast, which we are currently exploring. Hi Signs has one overarching goal, “to help people navigate environments”.
channel of sales. We helped to bring in orders from all over Canada, producing signage that is locally made, right here in Alberta.” Acquiring the Banff Sign Company also injected a significant amount of creativity and opened the doors to projects outside of Alberta. Brennan says, “We get to take that mountain vibe and sustainable products like wood and stone and accent elements like gold. This brings a whole new audience that Hi Signs has been able to capture.” Abaya adds, “We have created signage for places in Hawaii, a spa in Iceland, a recreation attraction in Montana, amongst countless places in our Rocky Mountain Region such as Banff, Jasper, Golden
Abaya elaborates, “Let’s say you are a first year student on campus. Our wayfinding signs help eliminate the anxiety of getting around. I’ve been there! I know what it feels like. The same goes for airports. It can be nerve wracking to find baggage, security, gates, washrooms, etc. People are anxious before they even arrive. Signage plays a critical role in helping with that. It also assists in driving the flow of people to economic hotspots – for example, getting people to Rogers Place for an Oilers game, getting shoppers to popular business districts within a community and showing people how to get around parks and trails, for example.” Edmonton has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. Hi Signs has been fortunate enough to be a part of the change through a number of large City of Edmonton projects. Most recently, Hi Signs has completed all the signage for the LRT Valley Line East, MetroLine LRT, parks and trails and City of Edmonton recreation facilities.
ELEVATE VISIBILITY. INSPIRE RECOGNITION. Outdoor & Indoor Installation Pylon Signs Illuminated Signs Road Signs Highway Signs Interior Signs Services Site Survey Sign Repair Vehicle Graphics Vehicle Wraps Tinting & Frosting Electronic Displays Installation LED Electronic Message Centres LED Channel Letters LED Retrofit
WE INSTALL SIGNS THAT SHINE! info@gidesigninc.ca 780.977.3668
CONGRATULATIONS ON AN IMPRESSIVE 50 YEARS! Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence have set industry standards and inspired us all. We’re honored to be affiliated with your success and cherish the enduring partnership we’ve built together. Here’s to the past 50 years of excellence and the bright future ahead!
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HI SIGNS AT A GLANCE OUR CAPABILITIES
At Hi Signs, we pride ourselves on our wide range of capabilities. We’re passionate about helping people connect to their spaces and navigate their surroundings between organizations and people.
PLANNING AND DESIGN
Con ra
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Hi Signs and Team on the remarkable 50th Anniversary. Here is to your continued success in the future!
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Congratulations Hi Signs on 50 years!
The goal of signage planning and design is to create signs that are effective in communicating information and provide a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing visual experience. Hi Signs achieves this using graphic design, pictograms, symbols, typography, colour theory and materials selection to create solutions that are both functional and visually appealing. • Comprehensive Sign Design Plans • Wayfinding Strategies and Maps • Signage Audits • Brand Rollout Planning • Bid/Tender Management
FABRICATION
We are a true full-stack fabricator able to take an idea and turn it into a finished product, offering a one-stop-shop solution for our clients. This dramatically increases quality and cost savings by having end-to-end control. The improved flexibility also allows us to identify issues and resolutions immediately in the event they arise. • Engineering • Structural Welding w/ Red Seal Journeyman Welders • ADA Braille and Tactile • CSA Approved Electrical • Supports and Foundations
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“Congratulations to the Hi Signs team on your 50th Anniversary, Your dedication to quality and accuracy is outstanding. It has been an absolutely amazing experience working closely with your team and we look forward to working and growing with you over the next several years.”
EXECUTION
The signage installation process typically involves a team of experts who are trained in the proper installation techniques, use of tools and equipment, and safety protocols. Our installers are certified in swing stage, aerial platform, boom truck operation, SSIT, ECTP, fall arrest, first aid and more. The goal of our professional installers is to ensure signage is securely mounted and visible, and that they meet the requirements of the client, local authorities, and industry standards. Whether it’s a pylon sign structure or interior wayfinding, you can trust our team to deliver the highest quality service. • Bucket and Boom Truck Services • White Glove Service • Interior Systems • Electrical Connections
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Our team of Project Management Professionals (PMP®) have the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to plan, execute and monitor client signage projects to achieve their goals. Using a systematic approach and clear communication with all stakeholders, our PMPs manage permitting, engineering, production status, site surveys, subcontractor management and installation coordination. Our unique approach to project delivery aims to deliver projects successfully, on time and within budget. • Project Management and Coordination • Wayfinding Implementation • Construction Management • Sign Permit Applications • Utility Locates and Surveys • Subcontractor Management • Certified QA/QC • Scheduling With us, you’re not just getting a service provider – you’re getting a partner committed to making your project a success.
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Congratulations Hi Signs on 50 years!
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CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS!
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On another project note, Brennan says, “We have completed signage for over 8 million square feet of Amazon properties within Edmonton and Calgary. These projects had a combined total of over 6,000 signs and 16,000 column decals. The number of signs, working around numerous subcontractors and the extremely quick timelines made the project complex.” “Amazon, through their general contractors, was seeking a company that could get all the interior and exterior signage done quickly. They wanted one place that could do all of the vinyl decals, traffic signage, fascia signage and interior/exterior wayfinding. Only a few companies are eligible to work on Amazon projects and we were the only company in the area that was able to handle the entire scope of the project,” says Abaya. That is not the only way Hi Signs is leaving a mark on our community. The team is part of the Fath Group of Companies, which has been around Edmonton since 1956. Supporting the community is something important to the group and they have supported many community causes over the years, including yearly food bank donations. Brennan and Abaya thank the team, vendors, clients, the City of Edmonton, charitable organizations they are privileged to support,
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Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt
founders and everyone that has helped to make Hi Signs a success for 50 years. “I feel like we are just getting started,” Brennan concludes. “Our future has many exciting concepts such as getting products into the North American market, expanding our online footprint, exercising our vast manufacturing capabilities and looking for M&A opportunities.” One thing, however, will never change. “We will proudly continue to operate out of our home base of Edmonton, keeping and creating jobs here, where the story of Hi Signs began.”
9570 - 58 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta Ph: 780.468.6181 Toll Free:1.888.590.7446 sales@hisigns.com www.hisigns.com Hi Signs celebrates 50 years • 7