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Northville, Mich., May 5, 2006
Allegra Network® LLC, one of the worlds largest
print and graphic communications franchises, announced today
that Steve White, Allegras executive vice president,
has been named president of Signs Now, the companys
sign division. Signs Now is one of the worlds leading
providers of indoor and outdoor signage, exhibit displays
and large-scale graphics.
White has been overseeing Signs Now since Allegra Network
acquired the company last year. Signs Now staff members continue
to support its more than 200 sign franchise members from its
headquarters in Sarasota, Florida. White and his family plan
to relocate to Sarasota in the near future, but he will retain
his involvement in key corporate and print division programs
as executive vice president and member of the Allegra Network
management team. He will also remain part of Allegra Networks
investor group, led by Chairman and CEO William McIntyre.
Carl Gerhardt, Allegra Network president commented, This
appointment demonstrates our commitment to the future of Signs
Now and our intent to grow both our sign and print divisions.
Steve is a key member of the management team and shareholder
group. We are confident his expertise and great leadership
will enhance the value of the support Signs Now franchise
members receive. At the same time, his leadership will foster
even greater cross-over synergies among our sign and print
divisions as digital technologies continue to emerge, significantly
benefiting all franchise members.
Founded in 1983, the Signs Now service base includes multiple
solutions and digital imaging for outdoor and indoor signage,
exhibit and vehicle graphics, magnetic signs, banners, window
graphics, ADA signage, dimensional letters, directional systems
and other visual communications tools to businesses worldwide.
Signs Now grossed over $75 million in sales in 2005.
In keeping with industry trends, more than 150 Signs Now
locations now offer large format digital services to their
customers. These franchise locations have taken advantage
of the sophisticated digital technologies that continue to
emerge in the graphic arts industry, enhancing the services
provided to their customers.
Diversification into large format printing (signs and banners)
is also one of Allegra Networks key growth strategies
for its primary print brands: Allegra Print & Imaging,
American Speedy Printing Centers and Insty-Prints. The company
officially launched its large format support program to help
franchise members enter the value-added service at its convention
last year. Today more than 70 franchise members from the print
division already offer large format services to their customers.
White commented, I am very excited about this opportunity
to contribute to the growth of both divisions through this
new role. I look forward to working with our sign and print
franchise members to take their businesses to the next level.
Signs Now franchise members have already embraced our Profit
Mastery program, which is unique to both the graphics arts
and franchising industries. Allegra Network expects
participation in its first Signs Now Operating Ratio Study
to exceed 50% this year. White continued, In addition,
both divisions have already benefited from shared access to
technology and marketing expertise as well as enhanced supplier
partnerships. We expect more than 160 suppliers to participate
in our first joint convention for both divisions this September.
This number has significantly increased from the exhibitors
who participated in our print and sign divisions conventions
last year.
Whites knowledge and expertise as a leader in both
the print and franchising industries will help leverage these
supplier relationships and resources on a larger scale as
the company helps its franchise members pursue greater share
of the large format market. In addition his comprehensive
experience overseeing the print support areas of marketing,
field operations and communication will greatly impact the
sharing of knowledge among the two divisions.
Since joining Allegra Network in 1994, White launched the
companys Professional Selling System for outside sales
consultants, created and oversees an internal marketing group
which today consists of ten staff members to support help
franchise members grow their business through marketing, sales
and public relations initiatives and expanded Allegra Network
companys regional support team to more than 10 staff
members.
In addition he increased franchise member participation in
the companys Profit Mastery program to 50%, oversees
the execution of the companys international conventions
and trade shows and franchise advisory councils. Whites
prior experiences include more than five years at Dominos
Pizza in its Ann Arbor headquarters and six years as a United
States Army officer.
About Allegra Network
Allegra Network LLC is one of worlds largest print and
graphic communications franchises linking more than 600 locations
across North America and abroad. With system-wide sales of
$345 million, the company ranks in the top 150 among all franchise
companies in the world and is considered a leader in franchise
training, technology implementation and system profitability.
Allegra Network was founded in 1976 and today supports five
brands under its printing division Allegra Print &
Imaging, American Speedy Printing, Insty-Prints,
Speedy Printing and Zippy Print and the Signs Now brand under
its sign division. Principal shareholders include Dominos
Pizza founder/former CEO and Ave Maria University founder
Thomas S. Monaghan and members of Allegra Network management.
For more information on Allegra Network, please call (248)
596-8600 or visit www.allegranetwork.com.
About Signs Now
As a leader and top innovator in the sign and graphics industry,
Signs Now truly stands out in a crowded world. Signs Now has
over 240 franchise locations across the United States, Brazil,
Canada and the United Kingdom; as well as locations in Pakistan
and Puerto Rico. The corporate offices and international training
center are headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. For more information
on Signs Now, please call (800) 356-3373 or visit www.signsnow.com.
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