wfcostage

Jan 8, 2021 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

January 11, 2021

Dear Valued Customer,

We are very pleased to announce that on Tuesday, December 22 William Frick & Company (WFCo) was acquired by Presco, a premier supplier and manufacturer of safety marking products and specialty films based in Sherman, TX.

Being that Evie and I have worked at WFCo for over thirty-one and thirty years respectively, this news will surprise many of our long-time business colleagues and friends. Truly, we still enjoy working with the many fine people we have met through the business and want to help with the transition. Thus, we will remain in our roles through the end of 2021 working with the entire staff from our Libertyville, IL office, which will continue operating as it is.

Since taking ownership of the company in 2012 Evie and I always sought paths that best support: compelling value propositions, strong financial performance and sustainable, long-term growth for our staff, suppliers and customers. Presco presented us the chance to accomplish these company objectives in a timeframe and to a degree beyond our expectations.

Presco’s market familiarity and complimentary products makes WFCo a strong addition to their growing Safety Marking Products platform. Along with Pro-Line Safety Products (another recent Presco acquisition) the companies will capitalize on their collective strengths to a greater degree than if each continued working independently.

Since the company’s founding in 1975, “FRICK” has built a reputation as a highly regarded, dependable, innovative, ethical and friendly company. We’re very proud of our team and their accomplishments and strongly believe that under CEO Lisa McGregor, the company will continue building on its strengths and reputation as a top tier employer, supplier, customer and partner.

Please reach out to either of us if you have any questions and have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous year in 2021.

Sincerely,

Jeff Brandt Evie Bennett

President Vice President

Jun 27, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Accurately identifying telephone or cable lines at the pole or from the ground can play an important role in many tasks, and that is precisely why so many telecom companies rely on cable markers that make line ownership very clear. SnapAround Cable Markers from William Frick & Company are excellent in quality, long lasting, and highly customizable, making them the perfect solution for accurate cable identification.

Outstanding Quality Cable Markers at a Great Value

SnapAround Cable Markers from William Frick & Company are made of high-quality materials that can last outdoors year after year. The markers come in a wide range of colors for simple identification. These include orange, red, yellow, black, green, blue, and white along with black or white UV-stabilized ink. SnapAround Cable Markers are easy to install and do not need any surface preparation.

These cable markers are available with standard messages, which include the type of cable and fields for labeling, but they can also be printed with any telecom company’s logo or message of choice. The PVC plastic simply “snaps” into place around cables to identify them, making them incredibly easy to install at multiple poles, and thanks to their rugged construction, they will last for seven to 10 years or more without replacement.

Cable Clipper^® Markers as an Alternative

SnapAround Cable Markers are excellent products for line identification, but when additional visibility is essential, Cable Clippers are a great alternative. They are made from sturdy, rugged PVC and can be used to clip over the cable and hang down much like a flag. An adhesive strip creates a bond in temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which firmly secures the marker to the cable and holds it in place for seven to 10 years or more. These cable markers are incredibly easy to install; just remove the adhesive backing and clip them over the cable.

Cable Clipper Cable Markers have vinyl or reflective graphics that are available in standard orange, red, and yellow, but they also come in custom colors to suit any company’s needs. Reflective graphics make the products even more visible from the ground, which is essential for quick identification. Like SnapAround Cable Markers, telecom companies can choose standard messaging or custom graphics, including a logo. Standard and custom diameters are available to fit all cable sizes, too.

SnapAround and Cable Clipper Cable Markers are important tools for identifying fiber optic cable, telephone, and other communication cables. By accurately identifying individual cables at the pole, everyone’s job is clearer and simpler. When these high-quality products are combined with quick turnaround times and friendly, knowledgeable William Frick & Company staff, it becomes clear that these simple, yet effective cable markers are an excellent value for telecom companies of any size.

Jun 27, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Client: SpotHero • Location: Chicago, IL • Industry: Parking • Project: Custom Outdoor Signs

On-demand parking app, SpotHero‚ improves customer experience
with graphic signage from William Frick & Company

The Company

SpotHero is an on-demand parking app that helps drivers locate and reserve available parking online. SportHero rents parking spaces from garages, parking lots and private owners. Its services are offered in many cities including Chicago, New York and Boston.

“The signs ended up being less expensive and were delivered in a very
reasonable amount of time”
–Chris Peterson – Account Executive at SpotHero

Background

SpotHero needed a more clear and visible way to direct customers to their reserved parking spots. According to customer feedback, people had trouble determining which parking spot they reserved, especially in high-volume parking areas.

“We were working with another sign company and were frustrated with
how long the process was taking”
–Chris Peterson

Solution

Chris reached out to William Frick & Company (WFCO) for help. He worked with WFCo through each step. A WFCo representative visited Chris at his downtown Chicago office and spoke to associates throughout the company to better understand SpotHero’s needs.

After speaking to Chris and his associates, the WFCo team offered suggestions to create better signs:

Reflective Materials – make the signs reflective to help customers locate parking spots at night. They’re also great nonstop advertising.
Anti-graffiti laminate – withstands the paint solvents used to remove graffiti. Often companies replace vandalized signs. Using a special outdoor laminate reduces the need to purchase a replacement sign. The laminate also resists fading so colors stay brighter longer.
Curb Markers – are useful where there’s no place to hang a sign. These 5.5” x 2” domed labels are also ideal for marking specific parking spots.

Overall Chris and his team at SpotHero were very happy with the results. “ Customer service issues decreased at the locations where these signs have been installed.”

WFCo was “responsive, thought outside the box, were priced competitively, and provided the ideal
solution in a timely manner. I look forward to doing business with them in the future!”

Jun 26, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

The construction of a metal nameplate can vary depending on the application. A metal nameplate can be built to withstand both indoor and outdoor use, vary in thickness, and have different metal characteristics. Information on metal nameplates can also be printed using different processes. It is important to understand these factors when choosing a metal nameplate that is right for your application. The most popular metal nameplates are: aluminum, stainless steel, zinc, and brass. Each metal has characteristics that make it right for some applications, and less suitable for others. To help you understand which material is most appropriate for your application, we’ve listed key features and benefits of each material.

The Metals

Aluminum

Very good chemical and solvent resistance
Good water, abrasion, and oxidation resistance when lacquered or anodized
Most versatile nameplate for decorative applications

Stainless Steel

Excellent water, chemical, abrasion, and corrosion resistance
Ideal for harsh indoor or outdoor applications
Retains sheen

Zinc

High heat resistance
Zinc nameplates can be tinted and deep etched
Allows for high-end graphics with intricate detail

Brass

Resist tarnish from water
Very good chemical and abrasion resistance and good oxidation and corrosion resistance
Available in a glossy or matte finish when a decorative metal nameplate is desired

Print and Decorative Processes

In addition to choosing a material, there are several metal nameplate printing and processing options. Each process is slightly different, and the printing and manufacturing may change based on the application needs.

Screen Printing

In the screen printing process, a squeegee is used to force ink through a selectively masked fabric screen that is used as a stencil. Screen printing on metal nameplates provides vivid color and offers good ink durability.

Offset Lithographic and Flexographic Printing

Offset lithographic printing is a process where ink on a metal roller is applied to a cylindrical rubber stamp then transferred to a sheet of metal nameplates. It uses a four-color printing process that creates sharp images. Flexographic printing is similar to offset lithographic printing, however it allows the image to be transferred directly from a rubber roller to the nameplate. Flexographic printing has higher setup costs, but is more cost effective for large production runs.

Embossing

Embossing a metal nameplate raises the text or logo above the original (normal) surface creating a three dimensional look.

Laser Marking

Laser marking uses amplified light to remove material from the surface of a metal nameplate. It is frequently used for barcoding and serialization.

Chemical Etching

Chemical etching is a process where chemicals are used to remove material from a metal sheet to create a message or logo. The etched area can be filled with color to provide a more visually appealing nameplate. The process of adding color to an etched nameplate is known as etch and fill. Chemically etched nameplates will remain legible even if the surface is painted over or left untreated. Etched metal nameplates are also resistant to abrasion.

Photosensitive Processing

The photosensitive process is used to produce anodized aluminum nameplates. It creates a hard anodized layer that is infused with a silver compound which, when exposed to light, creates an activated latent image. This makes the nameplate more durable and corrosion resistant. Known for their extreme printing accuracy and quick turnaround times, anodized photosensitive processed nameplates are commonly used in military and automotive applications.

Stamping

Stamping is the opposite of embossing. It is used to depress copy below the surface of the metal nameplate. Stamping is often used for applying variable information onto nameplates.

Learn More

Use this post as a guide to choosing metal nameplates, and to understand the types of customization options available using various printing techniques.

Jun 26, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

When Safelite Glass Corporation – the nation’s largest exclusively domestic producer of windshields for the vehicle glass replacement market – needed a special barcode sign to improve its order fulfillment process, it came to William Frick & Company – a leading producer of custom identification products like tags, signs and utility markers.

“We produced an extended barcode that wrapped around the barrel of a 10-inch diameter tube that Safelite hung from the ceiling of its distribution center,” said Brent Howell, business manager of William Frick & Company. “Most of Safelite’s order fulfillment is completed on forklifts, and their drivers were having trouble aligning the readers to the signs, which were flat. The curved surface of the tube gave their forklift drivers many angles from which to read the sign and sped up the picking process significantly.”

The new distribution center signs were part of a larger initiative at Safelite to increase sales through improved product availability. To meet this objective, Safelite needed to get a supply chain infrastructure that could support twice the volume it had been shipping. “Growing sales to leverage that infrastructure commitment became our #1 challenge,” explained project leader Michael T. Bradsher, Safelite director of accounting, manufacturing and distribution controller. “With all the infrastructure that was going to be needed to support a doubling of the shipping volume, we purchased and installed a Warehouse Management System (WMS). We also installed Frick’s more efficient barcode signs. The results have been impressive, with two physical inventories at or above 99.99 percent accuracy and reduced back office staff.”

“Frick is proud to have contributed to Safelite’s productivity and efficiency gains,” added Howell. “We congratulate Bradsher and his team for winning … Supply & Demand Chain Executive “Pros to Know” Team Award.”

Bradsher’s team was comprised of the following people: Kemp Edwards, DC Manager; Bobby W. Sanders, Jr., IT Support; Andy Scott, DC Shift Manager; Robert Tyner, Inventory Control Specialist; John Moore, IT (Retired); Randy McCombs, IT.

About William Frick & Company A leading producer of customized identification products like RFID tags, barcode labels, utility markers and signs, William Frick & Company is a trusted supplier to the telecommunications industry, oil and gas companies, electric utilities, governments and others needing labeling solutions. Frick offers best-in-class identification products and services customized to client specifications. The company is ISO 9001 certified. For more information about William Frick & Company product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call (847) 918-3700.

About Safelite Glass Corp. The nation’s largest exclusively domestic producer of windshields for the vehicle glass replacement market, Safelite Glass Corp. has a manufacturing facility in Enfield, N.C. as well as two distribution centers located in Ontario, Calif. and Braselton, Ga. The manufacturing facility serves all of the Safelite Group retail units and the customers of Safelite Group’s wholesale operations, Service AutoGlass^®. The Safelite Glass Corp. manufacturing and distribution facilities are ISO-9001 certified.

Mar 11, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

All About Domed Labels

Domed labels are thicker than standard labels because they feature a robust barrier against various elements while enhancing the visual appearance of your graphic. To help determine whether domed labels are the right choice for your business, request a free sample today.

Durable Construction

Polyurethane, which is a resin used to create the dome on top of the label, is one of the most inert types of plastics available and intended for years of use indoors or out. This resin provides scratch-resistance and is self-healing which shields your graphics from abrasive encounters. Domed labels are also resilient against harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and retain their clarity even when exposed to continuous UV rays. These features make domed labels ideal for your industrial or commercial applications.

Draws Attention

Domed labels, 3D appearance, attract more attention compared to flat labels. The transparent resin provides added visibility not just to display, but to emphasize important identifiers, instructions or emergency information. Moreover, because domed labels enhance the visuals of your graphics, they are the perfect finishing touch to branded products. Other common uses include product marking, promotional branding, decoration and more.

Versatile Customization

Like all William Frick & Company labels, domed labels are fully customizable. Choose to add text, and a logo or graphic, coupled with many base materials and printing options. Embossing and chrome or carbon fiber film can create a truly unique. In addition to these elements, the dome itself can be customized to meet the specific demands of your utilization. Lastly, domed labels are available with a pre-defined radius for attachment to curved surfaces.

Professional Appearance

Thanks to the glossy, glass-like appearance, domed labels invite individuals to look – and touch. Instead of merely adhering to a product, domed labels look as if they are part of the product. Their shiny, thick polyurethane dome catches the eye and delivers a high-quality appeal that flat alternatives may not be able to achieve.

Request a Quote

With more than 40 years of experience in labeling products, we’re ready to answer your questions and explain customization options to help guide you to the right purchase for your needs.