Ball Corporation Corporate Headquarters

Monument sign for Ball Corp.

Signage Project for New Corporate HQ

Ball Corporation is one of Colorado’s largest companies, with annual sales exceeding $11.5 Billion from its metal packaging and aerospace divisions. The 140 year old company has over 18,300 employees worldwide. Ball’s corporate headquarters recently moved to 9200 W. 108th Circle in Westminster, where they have had existing manufacturing facilities for many years. We are proud to have been chosen to design, build, and install a large package of interior and exterior signage for the new headquarters. BSC Signs is a full service sign company with custom fabrication capabilities, and we’re able to complete large projects entirely in-house.

Campus Entrance Signage

Ball Corporation’s corporate headquarters is located on a large business park property on West 108th Circle in Westminster, about 17 miles north of downtown Denver and just south of the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. For anyone visiting for the first time, it’s essential to make the location easy to find, day or night. The buildings are set well back from 108th Avenue, so we built a large monument sign for the campus entrance. It features an aluminum frame, a masonry base, dimensional letters and logo, and is illuminated with spotlights.

Monument sign for Ball Corporation corporate headquarters.

Wayfinding Signage

The Ball campus already had existing buildings for its aerospace and metal packaging divisions, so it was essential to provide wayfinding and information signs. We built a set of post and panel signs to make it easy for visitors and employees to find their way between the new headquarters and other buildings. These signs are solidly built to stand up to Colorado’s harsh climate, with aluminum framing and steel posts.

Main Entrance Signage

The main entrance to the headquarters features a beautiful cast aluminum wall sign, provided by the client. The use of aluminum reflects the importance of the material to the company, as it is used extensively in their metal packaging division. The sign is flush mounted to the granite wall with concealed fasteners.

Reception Sign

Once they’ve entered the headquarters building, visitors will see a large Ball Corporation sign in the reception area. This sign is 3′ x 3′ and features the Ball corporate color, painted on an acrylic panel and mounted with standoffs on the glass wall of the reception area. Construction was still underway when we installed this sign.

Architectural Feature Wall for HQ Lobby

The final stop on our tour of this project is the Ball Corporation headquarters lobby. It’s a great example of our custom fabrication capabilities. We fabricated and installed a large architectural feature wall that includes a Ball logo sign and two video displays. This spectacular piece has an aluminum backing panel that is nearly 20 feet tall, and has two semi-circular curves. It’s not often that our team has the opportunity to work on a signature piece like this! It was a challenging installation and we’re very happy with the final result. BSC Custom, our specialty fabrication division, can design, build, and install unique architectural elements similar to this project.

We would like to thank Ball Corporation for the opportunity to provide the signage for their corporate headquarters, and thank you to Swinerton Inc., the general contractor for the headquarters building.

BSC SIGNS is an award-winning full-service licensed sign contractor and custom fabricator based in Broomfield, Colorado. We design, build, and install signage for businesses and organizations in Denver Metro, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and throughout Colorado and southern Wyoming. 

5 Tips For Purchasing A New Sign

Opening a new location can be a bit intimidating with so much to think about. Furniture, flooring, website, product to run your business, and thousands of other decisions have to be made. Partnering with a good company can help make your sign decisions easier. Signage can be the first impression for potential customers and an extension of your brand identity. Consider the following to make the sign buying experience a pleasant one.

1. Your Signage Should Communicate Your Service or Product

What are your trying to communicate to potential customers with your sign? If you provide a service or specific product, your sign should say that. Remember it takes time to build a brand. Utilizing just your logo may not be the best decision if it doesn’t clearly communicate what you do, especially for retail locations. It took Target, Walmart, and Panda Express years to put just a logo on their building and convey their brand.

2. Sign Size and Location are Important!

Every exterior sign is regulated by local code. An established sign company should help by analyzing the code applicable to your location and submitting all pertinent permitting documents. There should be an onsite sales survey performed by the sign partner so expert suggestions can be provided on size and placement with code in mind. Signs should be visible from the major street with the most traffic if at all possible. If your location has two frontages, you may be able to save a bit if one sign faces an interior parking lot. Having a local resource to help you determine best practices can get you the best value for your money.

3. Demand High Quality Materials In Your Sign

On-premise signage is an incredibly effective long-term advertising investment for your business. To make sure you’re getting good value for your company’s investment in signs, you will want durable, high quality materials that last and continue to look good for many years. This can include quality plexiglass or polycarbonate faces, digital prints with a UV laminate, and energy efficient LED illumination or most exterior signs. Take into account which way your sign faces, as materials should be sunlight resistant and have UV laminates built in to the material. Choosing a graphic film instead of a digital print can improve the longevity of your sign. If snow or hail is prevalent in your area, avoiding fragile neon is a good idea. LED “neon looking” options have come a long way in the past several years.

4. How Will You Pay for Your Sign?

Almost all signs are custom manufactured. Depending on the quantity of signs you need, along with size, materials, lighting, access, and a slew of other items, prices range drastically. Understanding what you have in your business loan dedicated for options can help signage consultants direct design to stay on budget. If you find that another method of payment is necessary, many sign companies can assist with financing or leasing options.
More information can be found HERE.

5. Plan Ahead!

We touched a bit on the process of buying a sign. Understanding the steps involved in creating a new sign will help ensure that your signage will be ready in time for the grand opening of your business! Our advice is to include signage in the earliest planning for your business, and be aware that sign companies are busiest during the summer months.

  • A consultant will come out to physically survey your site.
  • The sign design will be developed and approved (even if you have a logo ready to go).
  • An estimate and quote will be prepared and submitted for your signage,
  • A sign permit will be acquired from your local government’s planning office.
  • The sign will be fabricated.
  • Sign installation and electrical hookup will be completed.

Each of these steps can take from several days to weeks depending on your signage needs. And since signs are custom manufactured to your specifications, fabrication usually takes from four to six weeks. Permitting can also be a lengthy process that sign companies can’t control. Most jurisdictions don’t offer a rush fee to process permit applications faster. The length of that permitting is dependent upon city staff and any backlog they are experiencing. Most companies engage a sign company three to six months prior to the anticipated opening. Plan ahead and have a great sign purchasing experience!

BSC SIGNS is an award-winning full-service licensed sign contractor and custom fabricator based in Broomfield, Colorado. We design, build, and install signage for businesses and organizations in Denver Metro, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and throughout Colorado and southern Wyoming. 

Communicate BETTER Using an EMC

What is an EMC (electronic message center)?

An electronic message center, or EMC in the industry, is a digital display that is programmable. It is marketing that you own. You have control of this digital advertising to create efficient and effective impressions. You will see top brands such as Walgreens, Sonic, and every casino everywhere entice customers to buy from them.

How to engage customers…effectively

Showcase your brand. You own this piece of marketing right at your place of business. Let customers know what you do, how you do it better, and why buy from you. Make them smile, laugh, but utilize your digital display to get attention and be relevant.

  • Showcase your brand – Who are you? How long have you been around? Answer those questions right at your door.
  • Define your unique selling point – What makes you different than your competitor down the street? Why should they buy from you? Set yourself apart from the first impression.
  • Humor helps – engage with a joke. Make yourself stand out by making your potential customer laugh.
  • Community messaging – What is going on locally that you support? Build a bond with customers because you both support a non-profit or the fire department or a school organization.
  • Invite clients in – The right content can bring people onto your salesfloor.
  • COVID updates – A subject matter we are all tired of but need to keep communicating restrictions and regulations as required by local law.
  • Business pivots – Along the same topic of COVID, did your business pivot? Are you offering church services virtually? Are you offering delivery through a 3rd party service? Let your customers know!

The short of it is EMC’s can allow you to effectively communicate with your customers. You can engage, inform, and invite your potential customers with a few clicks on a computer. This piece of technology is marketing at your site. EMC’s allow you flexibility and multiple programming options.

ABOUT BSC SIGNS

BSC is an award-winning full-service licensed sign contractor and custom fabricator based in Broomfield, Colorado. We design, build, and install signage for businesses and organizations in Denver Metro, Colorado Springs, and all around Colorado and southern Wyoming. 

ADA Signs Can Enhance Your BRAND!

In the world of ADA Signs, there are two generally approved techniques – photopolymer and layered acrylic with raster beads. Each manufacturing method has benefits and preferred application uses. That is where your sign consultant comes in.

Acrylic Layering

This sign type is best for protected settings such as hospitals, high-end offices with specialty finishes, and clinics. Acrylic signs with raised text applied to a sign face and the raster fit method of braille provide a cost effective sign solution. There are many laminate choices and painting options that will effectively bring sites into ADA compliance. The challenge is presented by patrons. The laminates can be picked at, letters rearranged, or the raster beads (used for braille) can be removed with some effort. Additionally, if you are in the budgeting process, the names of your rooms may impact price. If exact room names haven’t been determined, there may be a price change when final design packages are approved. The more acrylic required for the lettering, the higher the cost.

Photopolymer

This is the best sign type for high traffic unprotected environments, schools, public buildings where there may be a degree of vandalism. While there are fewer first surface laminate options, there are thousands of paint options, digital print backgrounds, and first/second layer applications to make these signs special and unique. The initial price of purchase can be a little more, but the longevity of the sign usually offsets it.

Branding

So what does material selection have to do with branding? The reality is most ADA signs can be done using either method. The DESIGN is what sets you apart. These little signs are required – you can’t get around them. However, you can make the most of them by throwing your logo in the corner, adding a second-surface digital print to color code floors or add a splash of color to the background, and even better you can add layers to turn your sign into viewing pleasure. The only limits to customizing your ADA sign package are design and budget.

Below is an inspirational portfolio video by NovaPolymer showcasing designs. All signs pictured are photopolymer.

8 Reasons to Finance Your Sign

Financing is a great way to acquire a new sign without all the up-front expense.  There are many flexible financing options that may also provide you with additional tax benefits.  Financing allow you to improve your image and advertising while conserving your working capital.

#1 LEASING IS FLEXIBLE

With leasing, you are able to customize a program to address your needs & requirements – cash flow, budget, transaction structure, cyclical fluctuations, etc. For example, some leases allow you to miss one or more payments without a penalty, an important feature for seasonal businesses.

#2 100% FINANCING

There is very little money down with leasing – typically the first & last month’s payment are due at the time of lease signing. Since a lease does not require a down payment, it is equivalent to 100% financing.

#3 LEASING IS FAST & CONVENIENT

Leasing allows you to add equipment or upgrade equipment under similar terms. Leasing can also allow you to respond quickly to new opportunities with minimal documentation. Credit decisions are usually made same day.

#4 TAX BENEFITS

The IRS does not consider an operating lease to be a purchase, but rather a tax-deductible overhead expense. Therefore, you can deduct the lease payments from your business income. Also, because lease payments are treated as expenses on a company’s income statement, equipment does not have to be depreciated over five to seven years.

Let the IRS help you save money when you lease new equipment. Structure your equipment lease to get the best tax advantages for your business. We offer both true tax leases & structures that allow you to take advantage of Section 179.

TAX LEASES

SECTION 179

Section 179 is a great way to accelerate your tax benefits. Under Section 179, you can expense 100% of the cost of equipment acquired in 2020 up to $1,020,000. Depending on your tax bracket, you can save a portion of that equipment cost in tax savings. To take advantage of Section 179, we can structure your lease with a PUT (Purchase Upon Termination) option at the end of the term, such as $1, or a larger predefined amount such as 10% or 20%. At the end of term, equipment must be purchased of the lease renewed to be eligible for this deduction (equipment cannot be returned).

#5 IMPROVES CASH FLOW

Lease payments are historically lower than loan payments, hence conserving cash for other uses. Also, by leasing equipment you know the amount & number of lease payments over the life of the leasing period, so you can accurately forecast cash requirements for your equipment.

#6 MANAGE OBSOLESCENCE

A lease allows equipment to be returned to the lessor at the end of the lease term. You can then upgrade equipment without having to manage disposal & other ownership burdens. The risk of getting caught with obsolete equipment is lessened.

#7 BALANCE SHEET MANAGEMENT

Because an operating lease is not considered a long-term debt or liability, it does not appear as debt on your balance sheet, thus making you more attractive to traditional lenders when you need them.

#8 LEASING IS SMART

Eight out of ten companies lease some or all of their equipment, according to industry research. Why do they lease? Because the flexibility provided by leasing allows them to have the most effective operation possible. Companies that lease tend to be the most entrepreneurial & competitive.

To find out more about leasing options offered by BSC Signs, FAQs, or to fill out a secure online application CLICK HERE

ABOUT BSC SIGNS

BSC is an award-winning full-service licensed sign contractor and custom fabricator based in Broomfield, Colorado. We design, build, and install signage for businesses and organizations in Denver Metro, Colorado Springs, and all around Colorado and southern Wyoming. 

ADA Sign Requirements: Where must you have an ADA Sign?

If you have 20/20 vision, you may take the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for granted.  However, those little signs with tactile copy and braille have saved thousands of lives in emergency situations and regularly help visually impaired people find their way around large facilities.  Therefore, the Department of Justice has published ADA Standards for Accessible Design – a 200+ page document that details all standards for accessibility enforceable starting March 15, 2012 for all new construction and alterations.  But if you are reading this, you are looking to know where ADA signs are required and may not need to know the height of an ADA compliant sink.

ADA Sign Location Requirements:

  • ALL permanent public spaces and rooms.  This means ADA signage should be installed next to all areas that will retain the same function for more than 7 days.  If you are in a commercial building, multi-family housing development, or provide services to the public, you are required to be ADA compliant.
  • ADA-compliant signs are needed when an area of the building pertains to safety. This means that such signage should be installed next to elevators, fire exits, and stairways.
  • Section 216.2 states that all rooms or designated interior spaces shall have compliant signage that provide labels, names, room/designation.  Examples rooms:
    • Room/floor numbers or letters
    • Conference rooms
    • Storage rooms
    • Changing rooms
    • Exam rooms
    • Electrical, IT, & Mechanical rooms
    • Break rooms
    • Stairwells
    • Restrooms
    • Kitchens
    • And more…

ADA Signs are NOT required for:

  • Parking lots (except for accessible parking spaces)
  • Private residences
  • Areas not meant for public use
  • Outside of the building where a business’ name/address is provided. Essentially, any area of the building with signage that provides nonessential information isn’t held to ADA standards.
  • Temporary spaces – areas that will only be utilized for 7 days or less

ADA Sign Placement Cheat Sheet

A picture’s worth a thousand words as the old saying goes.  Below is an infographic for ADA Sign Placement.  Of course, this applies to a perfect world.  When in doubt, contact your local fire inspector for direction.  In most jurisdictions this group of inspectors are the ones who ultimately pass you for your certificate of occupancy or fine you for non-compliance.

               

More infographics can be found on Access-board.gov.

Avoid noncompliance, delays in certificates of occupancy, and fines by using the tips above it you are a traditional businesses or private place that is open to the public.  Contact BSC Signs for your next construction project.

ABOUT BSC SIGNS

BSC is an award-winning full-service licensed sign contractor and custom fabricator based in Broomfield, Colorado. We design, build, and install signage for businesses and organizations in Denver Metro, Colorado Springs, and all around Colorado and southern Wyoming.