There are moments in the sign business that feel less like transactions and more like turning points. You don’t always recognize them right away—but when you step back, you realize something bigger shifted.
Not that long ago, we acquired a collection of assets from the former Pablocki Sign Company—server files, equipment, pieces of a business that, for a long time, set the standard in our industry. On paper, it was a bankruptcy auction. In reality, it was something more complex.
Bittersweet is probably the right word.
Respecting What Came Before
Early in my career, I had interactions with Jerry Pablocki. Like many in this industry, I respected what he built. Pablocki was a benchmark for everyone else. So, stepping into a position where we’re acquiring pieces of that legacy… it gives you pause.
This industry has a cycle to it. Companies rise, innovate, lead—and eventually, something changes. Markets shift. Leadership evolves. Technology moves faster than expected. And the next chapter gets written by someone else.
This time, that “someone else” happened to be us.
Why the Data Matters
One of the most significant parts of the acquisition was the data. Roughly five terabytes of server files.
At first glance, it’s archival. But if you look closer, it’s something else entirely.
Data like that holds patterns. It tells stories about how projects were solved, how systems were built, how decisions were made. As we move deeper into AI and automation, that kind of historical dataset becomes incredibly valuable and is loaded with insights.
Expanding the Offering
Practically speaking, the acquisition accelerated something we were already moving toward.
We’ve now built out a more robust ADA wayfinding and interior signage offering—an entire department, really—supported by both the equipment and capabilities we brought in. It’s allowed us to move faster and more confidently into that space, without starting from scratch.
But more importantly, it’s expanded how we can serve our clients. Growth, when it’s done right, is about becoming more useful to you, our customer.
Curiosity Is the Engine
If there’s a common thread through all of this, it’s curiosity.
We’ve never been a company that’s comfortable standing still. Whether it’s exploring new product lines, testing new technology, or rethinking how we operate internally, the question has always been the same: What don’t we know yet?
That question has driven a lot of the innovation we’ve built into the business.
You Don’t Do It Alone
One thing I’ve become more convinced of over the years is this—outside perspective matters.
Rick and I have worked with coaches, consultants, and specialists across different areas of the business. Not one single voice, but a range of them. Each brings a different lens, a different challenge to our thinking.
It’s easy to get comfortable with what you know. It’s harder—and more valuable—to invite in people who show you what you don’t. That willingness to stay open has been a big part of how we’ve continued to evolve.
Building for What’s Next
There’s also a personal side to this.
Working alongside the next generation—my son included—you start to think differently about what you’re building. It’s not just about growth today. It’s about continuity. Culture. Making sure the things that matter—curiosity, craftsmanship, pride in the work—don’t get lost along the way.
The encouraging part is seeing that same mindset show up naturally. The same willingness to dig in, to figure things out, to get your hands dirty and learn by doing.
The Unknown Is the Opportunity
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the unknown is where the best opportunities live.
Acquiring part of a company we once looked up to. Diving into data we’re still uncovering. Building systems we didn’t have five months ago. Expanding into areas that used to sit just outside our core.
None of it came with guarantees. But that’s also what makes it worth doing.
Rick and I don’t have all the answers. But we’re committed to asking better questions, staying curious, and continuing to build something that’s both grounded in where the sign industry has been—and ready for where it’s going.
Adam
