Business Partners for 30 Years
Harbinger and Gate Petroleum have quite a few things in common – both companies were founded in Jacksonville, they are family-run businesses and they have worked together for 30 years. What started as a sign for a single location – a tennis club – has grown to managing the signage program for Gate's Southern Division, comprised of c-store and gasoline stations.
"The partnership has been successful because we've always delivered high-quality signage at competitive pricing," explained Jerry Johnson, Harbinger sales representative who has worked with Gate Petroleum from the beginning and continues to devote his part-time day solely to the account. "As well, Gate has always been very receptive to our recommendations."
One example is Harbinger's recommendation that Gate Petroleum switch to using LEDs. Therefore, two years ago Gate decided to make the change. LEDs are now used in all new locations. Harbinger also is retrofitting existing signs with LEDs and upgrading Gate to electronic gas price signs.
"The low maintenance and energy cost savings of LEDs really convinced Gate to try the new technology. Also, eliminating the need for employees to go outside to change gas prices was appealing," Johnson explained.
Today, the signage program for Gate consists of electronic gas price signs, fascia signs, pylon signs and various interior signs, including the branded Beer Igloo sign.
Harbinger Showcases Newest LED Sign Technology at NACS Show
For the first time, Harbinger will be exhibiting its LED lighting retrofit system and offering a free signage energy comparison at its booth (#776) during the NACS Show, Oct. 6-8, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Using sign cabinet displays, Harbinger will showcase the latest LED technology for illuminating exterior signs and will demonstrate its LED retrofitting process for existing signage.
Environmentally friendly LED lighting is available in all of Harbinger’s signage, and the company is a leader in the creation of double-faced, LED-illuminated pylon signs. Harbinger was the first to implement LEDs in these types of signs, which are most commonly used by convenience stores, gas stations, grocery chains and restaurants. The use of LED lights provides significant reductions in carbon footprints and an estimated 60 to 80 percent in energy costs.
LED solutions that will be featured include double-faced pylon signs, channel signs, under canopy lighting, building wash lighting, parking lot illumination, and freezer lights.
Harbinger also will display digital gas price signage technology. By partnering with FM, Harbinger can provide to clients the largest selection of digit sizes and available fonts including those approved by most major oil companies. As well, the signage is a modular design with only four components per sign – LED panel, RF receiver, power supply and control unit – and software-controlled security.
Visitors to Harbinger’s booth also can register for a complimentary signage energy and maintenance comparison audit. By analyzing items such as the number of locations, current maintenance costs of signs and types of signs and illumination, Harbinger creates an energy and maintenance comparison that will gauge the projected energy and maintenance savings per sign that could be realized if LED lighting technology is used.