Business that beckons: Sign maker sees niche for products on Marco

[Erik Sine]

Photo by Quentin Roux / Eagle staff

Mary Mince is sales manager for Signs by Crannie, a Fort Myers-based company targeting the area, including Marco Island. With her is owner Dan Crannie and in the cage is field technician James Gieryk.

Business that beckons: Sign maker sees niche for products on Marco

By Quentin Roux contact

Thursday, August 16, 2007

From a one-man sign shop in Flint, Mich., to a thriving dual-state business with close to 40 employees. That’s the story so far for Dan Crannie, a sign maker who is initially targeting Lee and Collier Counties with an extension of a Michigan company he started in 1985.

On Marco for a job earlier this week, Crannie — along with sales manager Mary Mince and field technician James Gieryk — outlined their operation and plans to fill a niche for more substantial sign work in the area.

“We’re basically saying that no job too is too big for us,” Crannie said. “We’re looking for stuff that your local banner shop can’t do for you.”

By that, Crannie means signs such as he has done for companies like Arby’s, BP, CVS, Outback Steakhouse, Subway and Walgreens.

Styles include interior illuminated, neon, LED, canopy, awning and lot lighting.

As with almost every industry, signage has evolved with the times, Crannie said.

“In the old days, everything was done by hand ... art, design and free-hand painting, but it then evolved into the world of electronics,” he said. “Now everything is computer designed with generated graphics. It really has jumped into the 21st Century from when I started before (the advent of) computers.”

But, and make that a big but, Crannie said, the human touch remains crucial.

“You still need the human element,” he said. “Some companies have used computers to replace people, but if the computers are instead used as the tools, it gives designers a broader canvas to work with. It enhances a company’s scope.

One of the biggest jobs Crannie has ever tackled was for General Electric in Michigan — a 14-foot diameter illuminated sign on top of a building 165 feet tall.

And, like doctors and lawyers, Crannie has seen his share of interesting people related to the jobs he’s done.

“We take care of every kind of business, from the local church to the local strip club,” he said. “Some are more interesting than others,” he said without elaborating.

Crannie is more than aware that local municipalities have all sorts of limitations and restrictions on signage, and says he’ll naturally liaise with Marco city officials on jobs he secures on the island.

In that regard, Crannie laments what he sees as a general trend across the nation to reduce signage sizes in favor of esthetics.

“Signs were what directed this nation of travelers,” he said. “We are a touristy nation, a mobile country, and we’ve forgotten that signs are how we get people around this country.”

As sales manager, Mince says publicizing the company at the moment is one of the priorities.

“We’re doing cards and we also have a Web site,” she said. “We’re also hoping that some of our work for corporate companies trickles down here. Other than that, we’re just getting out and meeting the people,” Mince said.

Maintenance and serviceman Grant Hudson as well as office manager Lisa Young complete the local team.

Visit the Web site at www.signsbycrannie.com.