As a business owner, creating an eye-catching outdoor sign that effectively represents your brand...
Hello there! This is Mike Hull from Wensco Sign Supply, and I want to talk to you about what's currently happening in the sign industry and how it might affect your sign shop.
Recently, many of you received an email from Principal Sloan regarding their acquisition of the Hanley brand. The initial tagline of "Simplifying the Lives of Our Customers" seemed promising, but let's dig deeper into what this means for all of us.
Changes in the Industry
Following the announcement, it became clear that the distribution landscape was rapidly changing.
Principal Sloan, which is sold by many distributors all across the nation, including Wensco and Hanley which is sold by Grimco Wholesale Sign & Media Supply (all across the nation as well). They combine and they're going to "Simplify the Lives of our Customers."
And when you look at the distributor list (as of January 2024), it looks like they could simplify the lives of their customers. There are green dots everywhere across the whole map.
As a customer it got you thinking "Hey, in my town, there are two or three competitors." That means you're going to get a good product, good price, and good service, because we have to compete against each other, right? Wrong.
Distributors who have been in the business for over 80 years like us received emails stating that we could no longer sell products from either the Principal Sloan or Hanley brands come mid-February, it became evident that there would be a significant impact on competition and choice.
What used to be multiple options for customers has now been reduced to just one.
One choice, one price, one option. Or "Simplifying."
Clearing Stock and Moving Forward
As we navigate these changes, I want to assure you that our top priority is serving our customers. For those of you who have ongoing jobs and rely on certain products, we are continuing to provide the support you need.
However, as we can no longer return or stand behind Principal Sloan products, it doesn't feel right to make any profit from those products. In the coming days, we will be offering these products at heavily discounted prices until they are completely sold out.
Finding Alternatives and Unifying
At Wensco, we anticipated such changes in the industry and have been preparing for them. While I can't divulge all the details at the moment, I can tell you that we are working on something that will likely bring all of us in the sign industry together.
In the meantime, we are launching a podcast to discuss important topics in the sign industry including LEDs, and addressing the current situation. This way, you can stay informed while we work towards finding common ground for all sign professionals.
Walking the Talk
In light of this, I want to assure you that this isn't just another business decision for us. With a vested interest in Wensco, I am personally taking charge of reaching out to every Principal Sloan user and ensuring they are aware of the options available to them.
I have cleared my schedule for the entire year and will be visiting each one of you to discuss LEDs, business, and industry developments. It's crucial to me that you have access to the right LEDs at fair prices from reputable dealers.
Conclusion
As we brace ourselves for the changes brought about by these acquisitions, I want you to know that Wensco Sign Supply is committed to supporting you through this transition. We will continue to serve your needs, provide alternatives, and ensure you get the quality products you deserve.
Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media platforms. And if you would like a visit, please let us know in the comments or tag us on social media. We are here for you every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mike Hull, Wensco Sign Supply
View Mike's statement below:
