UFB Fabrication

BTW there is a thread going MET vs UL vs......

For a second company to list they will need a laundry list of materials. Example face materials and brand. LED s brand. and so on. then the type and qty of lighting components. Then how the sign is constructed drain holes and so on. If its not according to UL sams manual then will have to replace component or product. Pretty much as the UL inspection would be.

2 other thoughts: 1 I would think that with the costs involved one would have to build a fair amount of labeled signs to cover the costs of a listed shop. 2 There is also methods a listed shop can test, document a sign and label for you. I assume in most cases your competition may not be to keen to help you out. 3 how may signs do you do in a year? Would it be worth shipping them to us? send me a PM if we can help.

Why wouldn't you just sub out the stuff that requires to be listed?

From my research UL seems to be the only activly participating in the actual testing of the sign process and making sure crap works together. I have seen and heard of other listing NRTL's that will do what UL does. That sad I think that they are just coat tailing of what UL Does. Kinda like the difference between Pepsi and the genaric soda from the grocery store thats named cola. Yes it is "Pepsi" like it is not the real thing. Until one of the other places can give me a warm feeling that I am not getting a knock off cola version we will continue with Pepsi

We had looked at switching when MET first came out with the new service. I spent a year going back and forth with them with questions which were never answered to my satisfaction. I also reached out to the greater community for experiences and did not really get any feedback. Especially that would push me to switch. For the last few years UL seems to me they have stepped up their game and becoming more "friendly" and service oriented. They Have been exhibitors at the Tri- State sign show as well as all 3 years our our in house trade show. A few weeks ago some of the UL higher ups came to the shop for feedback on how they are doing. Pretty helpful and are trying to make further improvements. We have even been fortunate to have enough work to have a increased frequency of inspections. Its not been a bad thing. We have also had a couple project that needed additional help with and the got us all the info in a timely matter. I guess in short as long as UL continues in the direction they are going we will continue to have them handle our listing needs.

Glad you could enjoy it. Wish I could of spoke with more people. Great turn out and talked all day and got to meet new people. We are 99% sure we are going to do it again which will make it the 4th year.

We have the pallet bandit get or wood pallets. The plastic get recycled to a guy up north but he with take PVC/Sintra type. We have a roll of for steel and gaylords for alum. Since we only build signs it cuts our trash down pretty well and we are working on recycling cardboard/paper. Last year we took a bunch of transformers and ballast that were well out of date but still in the box and sent a pallet to the scraper with a tear in my eye. BTW for alum and steel we have enough that it worth our while to shop and haggle with the metal buyers. You would be surprised how many resell to larger metal recyclers.

We are having our show again and this will be year #3. Not as big as Vegas but we will have 28 exhibitors. This has normally only been for our vendors and customers. This year as intrest grows we are opening it up tho other sign shops who wish to attend. There is no cost to attend. Any vendor that wants to join in can give us a call. Steve

This is a few miles from or shop and makes me sick. What the news shows is a small amount it looks like a freaking zombie apocalypse movie. aftermath

First all 1000's and 1000's of sign companies and I have yet to see a corporate jet. This is not he business to get "rich" in. A whole bunch of folks that are much smart and have much more experience struggle to even make it work in the long term. Looking at his FB page pictures the trucks dont have DOT #s and looks like the service tech/ installers never use a harness. I also agree that they made no mention of UL also. Not drawing a salary WTF? As for the so called 45 dollar sign that worth 450 I cry BS That may be true and swell for TV but that did not count real overhead and payroll not to mention equipment cost. If you made 300-400 a day it may be possible but if that what was all that was sold in a day they lost money. I am going out on a limb as I have never seen the show before that they need some businesses that he does not invest in or have the type of drama that in makes interesting TV. BTW 3 sales people should be on the pace of 3 mil a year to earn their keep. unless all of the employees get not much more than min wage or work for free the sales of 600k cant support it even with Daddy kicking in bucks every month. Sorry to sound harsh but dayuuuum.

We have polished them and clear coated but we use the forklift to load the sheets that big

Greetings and Happy Holidays from UFB Fabrication ! We are adding staff again. We are looking for a experienced computer programer that knows Enroute or similar software. We would like a minimum of 1-2 years experience. You will be programing for 2 Multicam machines 5x10 & 7x10. We cut all typical sign materials plus thicker alum (1'') We would also entertain a machine operator with programing skills. Good pay and work environment with high end/profile projects. Send Resume to Steve: samrein@ufbfab.com

We have been doing a lot of neon stuff lately. The channel letters have all been clear faces but nothing with colorer faces. Now if the supply house will stock enough. Just did a job with 15mm voltarc green and had to wait for Voltarc to mfg some.

I told my UL rep that if we got a VN that we had to pay for they were done. If they increase frequency to recoup revenue they are also done.

We are looking for experianced fabricators. Good pay. Adding to our current staff of guys. Go to out website @ ufbfab.com and see if you have what it takes to be a member of our team and build more than rectangles. My email is samrein@ufbfab.com ph is 314-426-2162 Steve

Position filled.

Nothing................. I thought times were tough and folks needed work.

We are looking to hire someone with a graphics background to do drawings and some graphics work. All work done in office or in the shop, no field work. Pay commensurate with experience. Email resume to samein@ufbfab.com. Thanks Steve

I think its a bit different with us. We only do wholesale signs for the trade I think a lot of what we build is stuff other shops dont have the skill, or equip or both. We used to sell a lot of the knock down kit type signs but not anymore. Fortunately for us we have some really talented guys and we can build a scratch built sign cheaper than a kit. We do have tons of $$ in equipment that allows it though. I also see a lot less rectangles these days. I am not sure if years ago everyone had so much business and the designers were backed up or lazy. Now most everything has curves and is general much more attractive design wise. I also see some stuff roll thru that 4 years ago may have been illum but is now a 2'' deep alum pan as well.

Kind of a Kill Bill feeling......

I have a sold job that I need 1 sheet. Xproveer/ grimco used to have it and now is out or cant get. Grimco cant get and the new to St. Louis do not have it. RJ sign supply in St. Louis is a no go either. I have tried Midwest sign and screen and Nesco. BTW I have used this material before so it did exist a month or so ago. HELP I dont want to have to laminate something.

I would have 1 addendum added stating that if they miss 1 payment deadline than the contract is null and void. Pretty simple you dont screw me and I wont screw you. BTW I think it sort of dumb for a no compete as most para legals could shred one in about 60 second. I also agree that why bite the hand that feeds you . If they are sending 10 grand a month in service why would you jeopardize it for a 400 buck service call. We have frequent requests from companies that my customer have sold signs to that want to buy direct and I just direct them right back to who we sold it to. I have ZERO interest in doing retail work.

I thought the only way to have a UL and NEC you had to use G cups with double backs to be legal. I haven't done a install in years nor opened a NEC code book. Most skeleton neon jobs i see are not up to code even if the inspectors pass it. I would guess that most are not permitted and maybe not required.

3.59 in the Lou.....