[Advise for small 12 year old business.]

Hello all. I have been reading here for years when I get time. Always interesting and entertaining.

I am a 2nd generation sub contract installer / maintenance business. Until the economy tanked, I was solely a sub installer. All work came from (1) local sign company. Out of necessity, due to lack of work, over the past few years, I have begun to obtain some retail sales and maintenance work, just enough to stay afloat. Now, due to circumstances out of my control, I no longer have the work form my main source of wholesale sub work.

With the loss of 65 to 70% of my work load and revenue, I am trying to figure out my best options, in a hurry. Any ideas for advertising or solicitation that produces the best results? I could use some serious contacts or resources for sign / lighting contractors in my area that could use my services.

I know there has to be some good national maintenance / property management companies out there. I currently do service work for only (1) national sign maintenance company. They pay very well and quick but I need 20 more like them.

I am a small business, I have (1) full time employee that works with me on my trucks. I have been in the installation business for over 26 years. Started this business in 2003. I take great pride in my company's work quality and appearance. I have installed / refurbished thousands of signs from 65' down with virtually 100% success.

Thanks for your thoughts...

[400W MH to LED Conversion options.]

Hello all, this has probably been discussed but I have not been keeping up.

I have a customer that has (12) 400W MH parking lot fixtures and (16) wall packs. I got the job relamping this location 10 months ago. The owner informed me that he has been having to relamp this site every 6 months. I should have heeded is words. 10 months later after I relamped this location, 90% of the pole lights are out. I personally installed the new lamps in the pole lights, most of them came on, I think I put a couple of caps in but no ballast were required. The lamps are horizontal mounted. Not sure why the premature failures. I think (5) of the 16 wall packs are out.

Anyway, the customer is considering a change to LED. Does anyone have any experience with the "retro" conversions or would I be better off going for a complete fixture change out.

There are a lot of retro's with a socket type mount, some have seperate drivers, some built in drivers, and some powered by the original ballast.

Looking for some real truths.

Thanks all.

P.S. While I have you reading, I am located just outside of Nashville, TN, licensed, bonded and insured. I am a second generation sub-contract installer. I currently own a 01 L60 Elliott along with a couple of other small aerial trucks. Anyone looking for a installation or maintenance contractor in middle TN, look me up.

General Sign Services

Watertown, TN 37184

615-237-4605

[Wholesale Manufacturer in TN area?]

I am a sub contract installer and need a good resource for a competent full service "wholesale" manufacturer that can competitively ship to middle Tennessee.

Need a resource for a 10' x 10' d/f cabinet, lexan faces, aluminum pole covers and channel letters.

Who are you using that you can recommend?

Thank you.

[65' Radocy upper controls?]

How early would you call early Dave?

Thanks again for the info. I own a mid 70's 45' Radocy that I was around when I was nearly a child. It has been a very good peace of equipment, simple and very dependable. Just maxed out to often.

[65' Radocy upper controls?]

Thanks for the info guys. I have not operated a Radocy with upper controls. Wanted to know if the upper controls were acceeptable for day to day use or beter suited for must have situations.

Thank you for the info.

[65' Radocy upper controls?]

Can anyone with experience describe the function of the upper controls? How good or poor do they work in general? How much time is required to go from installations (using load line) to using the upper controls?

Thanks for your time.