The Wonder Spelen donor wall in place at the playground. “Wonder Spelen” means “Miracle Play” in Dutch.

In 2019, Fred Kreykes came to a meeting of the Pella Kiwanis Club with an idea: transforming the Kiwanis Park on Main Street into an accessible, inclusive place where people of all ages and abilities could play. He was met with overwhelming support from both the Kiwanis and the City of Pella. Last October, the Wonder Spelen playground opened to the public, featuring interactive and sensory play equipment, as well as accessible bathrooms.

The project was in part funded by the proceeds from the Kiwanis poffertje stand, which the club rolls out at Tulip Time and other town events. It was also made possible by donations from several businesses and individuals, whose generosity the Wonder Spelen team wanted to honor with a recognition wall.

“In 2010, Pella Engraving & Sign Company did my company’s sign. Over 10 years later, I knew they were the only people I wanted to work with on this donor recognition wall,” said Mark Wiskus, a Kiwanis member and chair of the Wonder Spelen project.

Mark and his team collaborated with PEC on the wall’s design. It was important to all involved that the design allow new donor names to be added in the future. And, of course, the wall needed to incorporate some nods to Pella’s Dutch heritage—after all, the crown jewel of the playground is a large windmill!

“PEC does a fantastic job of listening to what their customers want and asking questions about their vision,” said Mark. “We worked together to create a great design that had everything we wanted.”

The construction of the Wonder Spelen donor wall gave PEC the opportunity to flex a wide range of skills—from vinyl work to zinc etching and custom metal fabrication:

• Frame – The donor wall’s custom outer frame was constructed and painted by PEC. The team took color swatches to the playground to make sure they used a matching yellow paint.
• Background Plates – The large background plate was made from aluminum and painted a color-matched dark blue. Then, four etched zinc plates were mounted on top of the aluminum to serve as a backdrop for the donor plates and logos. These zinc plates were painted light blue and feature raised rectangular boxes, marking the spots for each donor nameplate.
• Donor Nameplates – Donor names were etched onto zinc plates. That zinc was painted dark blue, and the names and outer borders were tipped in white. The nameplates were then installed on top of the raised boxes. Several boxes are blank, leaving room to add nameplates for new donors.
• Vinyl Lettering, Logos, and Accents – PEC cut all the lettering on the Wonder Spelen donor wall from vinyl. The Kiwanis and City of Pella seals were printed in full color on vinyl, as were the logos of major donors Precision, Inc., Vermeer Charitable Foundation, and Pella Corporation. For the border along the bottom of the wall, PEC printed and cut out brightly colored tulips, Dutch buildings, windmills, and wooden shoes.

When the parts were complete, the PEC team put everything together and installed the wall at the playground. But that is not the end of the story.

“Now we’re working with Pella Engraving on a street sign for the Wonder Spelen,” said Mark. “We’re all excited to see it!”

At Blue Equipment, Kinze customers can find new and used planters, grain carts, and tillage equipment, as well as parts and a service department.

This spring, Kinze Manufacturing, Inc., embarked on an exciting new venture—an in-house dealership located on the campus of their Williamsburg, Iowa, headquarters. Blue Equipment LLC serves Poweshiek, Iowa, and Johnson Counties, offering new and used Kinze equipment plus parts, retrofit kits, and mobile and on-site service.

“Before Blue Equipment opened, we knew we needed new signage,” said Kinze Senior Creative Services Specialist Mike Dykstra. “And not just storefront signage. Since the dealership is located on our manufacturing campus, we needed signs to direct people where to go and help them backtrack if they take a wrong turn.”

Mike knew exactly who he could turn to with this project: Pella Engraving & Sign Company.

“I’ve known Co-Owner Jeff Vroom for almost 20 years, and I’ve always admired the business,” he said. “I was especially excited when they added the signage division because what they offer is just what I need. PEC can hand-build custom signs, but they also offer very high-quality vinyl signage.”

The largest of the Blue Equipment wall signs being installed at Kinze Manufacturing in Williamsburg.

The Blue Equipment order included three monumental, multi-panel storefront signs—the largest measuring 24′ x 10′—as well as eight new outdoor wayfinding signs to direct visitors around the Williamsburg campus. The Blue Equipment logo was designed by Kinze. Mike designed the signs, then passed the baton to PEC.

Cost-effective, versatile, and durable vinyl was an excellent option for this project. Both the wall and wayfinding signs were printed on vinyl backed by an aluminum substrate. These signs will be able to withstand exposure to the weather and UV rays.

From fabrication to installation, it was an all-hands-on-deck project, calling on the talents of Jeff and fellow Co-Owners Jarid Purvis and Cory Vande Kieft, as well as signage experts Todd Richards and Jeff André.

When the signs were fabricated, the PEC team loaded them up and made the 70-mile trek to Williamsburg. On-site, the three storefront signs and three of the wayfinding signs were installed panel-by-panel and connected using splice strips. The rest of the wayfinding signage was retrofitted over existing post-and-panel signs.

“Their attention to detail is excellent,” said Mike. “I’m a bit Type A, so I’d notice if the panels didn’t line up perfectly. But the PEC team came equipped with strips of colored vinyl they could use to fill in any spots that were even an eighth of an inch off.

“Pella Engraving & Sign Company knew exactly what I wanted, and they delivered,” he concluded.

Bruce cherished his trips to the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) annual meeting. The people he connected with there often became valued friends.

After 45 years on the job, PEC Co-Owner Bruce Van Wyk is hanging up his hat at the end of 2020. During his tenure with Pella Engraving & Sign Company, Bruce helped steer the company through significant changes in the industry, pivoting the business more than once to ensure its long-term success.

Bruce in 1987 at the International Sign Show in Las Vegas.

Bruce joined the PEC team in 1976, two weeks before graduating from high school. He started his career as a PEC artist, then moved into shipping, invoicing, and quoting. When owner John Vroom was ready to retire, Bruce and John’s son, Jeff, became equal co-owners of the growing company.

“I have fond memories of my father, Bruce, and I going to lunch once a week to strategize business plans,” shared Jeff. “My father viewed Bruce as another son.”

Some of Bruce’s most fulfilling PEC moments came early in his career. “I traveled to St. Paul to meet with a large check-printing company about taking on their letterpress work, and we got the job. It was supposed to be short term; they planned to move to a new process,” said Bruce. “They were very up front about that and reminded me to manage accordingly. They ended up sticking with us for 10 years or so. The revenue from that account allowed us to expand many other areas of the business that we would never have had the cash flow to do otherwise.”

Over the years, Bruce and Jeff have steadily maneuvered PEC’s services and production capabilities. First was a transition from letterpress printing to offset printing. By the 1990s, many PEC customers were moving offset printing in-house, so PEC added the equipment necessary to break into the plaque-making and awards market. As more than 400 engraving companies around the country shut down, PEC pushed forward. “That move probably saved the company in the long run,” reflected Bruce.

“Seeing the business weather the storm” is one of Bruce’s biggest satisfactions as he reflects on his career. And those past challenges are not unlike what Bruce sees happening today. “We are fortunate this year. We’ve been able to keep our doors open, but many around us have not.”

Bruce and Jeff have always been hands-on owners. In 2017, they added a waste-water handling tank to the facility.

Bruce will not step away from PEC completely in December; he plans to stick around for a few years in a consulting role. So it’s fitting he still has his eyes on PEC’s future. “I see the potential for phenomenal growth on the horizon. Adding the signage business has been a great fit for us, and it continues to provide opportunities.”

Post-retirement, Bruce sees himself spending more time on the golf course. His wife, Trudy, encouraged him to join the Pella Country Club last year, where he’s been enjoying making new friendships.

More travel to see their children is also in the cards, as soon as the pandemic circumstances allow. Between them, Bruce and Trudy have two kids, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Creating the family-like culture PEC is known for might be what Bruce takes the most pride in as he prepares to retire. “I’ll miss the day-to-day work with Jeff, who is like a brother to me, and Jarid and Cory have become like sons. Family first has always been the motto at PEC.”

Bruce speaks to the PEC team at his retirement party.

Ronda Pope, who has been with PEC for 31 years, remembers when her son was in a third-grade play and she was reluctant to ask for time off work. Finally, Bruce came to her and said, “Ronda, your kids are only young once.” She went to the play.

“We’ve got several employees who’ve been with us for 20 or 30 years. Seeing them raise their families has meant so much to me. And watching them grow and reach their potential has also been so rewarding,” said Bruce.

Bruce’s retirement will inevitably change the landscape at Pella Engraving & Sign Company. “We’ll miss his break room impersonations,” said Cyndi Fynaardt, who has worked with Bruce for 37 years.

Impersonations aside, Bruce’s efforts over the years have more than prepared the team to continue to build upon the company’s caring culture and traditions of exceptional customer service. Congratulations on a successful career, Bruce!

More on Bruce’s Impact from the PEC Co-Owners

“Bruce has always had a God-fearing heart, and it reflects in our business. We are going to miss him, but he’s worked hard all his life. Now it’s time for Bruce to enjoy some free time. We wish him all the best!” – Jeff Vroom

“Bruce has always made himself available to listen to any issues or questions, both work-related and about life in general. He has always shown he truly cares about what’s happening in the lives of all PEC customers and employees. His knowledge and work ethic will be missed, but more than that I will miss having him as a daily part of our work family.” – Cory Vande Kieft

“Bruce is a major role model in my life. He always has a positive outlook on negative or worrisome situations. I’ve always admired that and felt like I could go to him for advice on work or life. He is also a very hard worker. When he sets his mind on getting something done, he will absolutely finish the job. I’ll definitely miss Bruce around the shop, but I am really excited for him to hit the finish line on this chapter of his life.” – Jarid Purvis

The new banners at Pella High School (left) and Lincoln Elementary School (right).

This fall, students, teachers, and staff at Pella Community Schools were greeted with a fun surprise: custom banners from PEC, proudly sporting the Pella Dutch colors and logo.

“We’d all been apart for five months, so it was very important to me and my colleagues to give everyone a big welcome back,” explained Pella Middle School Principal Josh Manning. “We’d seen banners on light poles at other schools and colleges, and we thought it was a great idea. New banners would be exciting for our students, teachers, and staff, and as an added bonus they would also boost our curb appeal and branding. Soon all five buildings in our district were on board, and we brought our idea to Pella Engraving & Sign Company.”

PEC Graphic Designer Kristi Olsen worked with Josh on the banner design, which prominently features the Pella Community Schools logo and signature green-and-white color scheme. The 4′ x 2.5′ banners were printed on durable material using latex ink, so they will withstand the outdoor elements. The hems were also reinforced, so the banners won’t tear in high winds or bad weather.

PEC made 73 banners total, which were mounted on light poles on the grounds of Lincoln Elementary, Madison Elementary, Jefferson Intermediate, Pella Middle School, and Pella High School. Because they needed to extend out from the posts, each banner was equipped with a top and bottom pole pocket. PVC poles were inserted through these pockets, then secured to the light posts with a bracket. For added security, the PEC team looped straps through reinforced grommets sewn into the banners. It took PEC just three days to install all the banners.

“It was an honor to work on such a visible project that uplifts our community,” said PEC Co-Owner Jarid Purvis.

“We’ve had lots of positive comments,” added Josh. “Many have said the banners exude our Pella spirit, and that they feel proud to be part of our district. We look forward to working with PEC again in the future!”

PEC custom designed, printed, and installed vehicle wraps for Pella Fiber’s telecom fleet.

Pella Fiber is ready to hit the road, thanks to custom vehicle wraps and vinyl decals and magnets from Pella Engraving & Sign Company.

The telecommunications utility is locally owned and operated by the City of Pella and will start offering high-speed internet, TV, and phone service in spring 2021. Construction of the fiber optic network began this summer, which meant it was time to brand Pella Fiber’s fleet and the contractor vehicles working on the project.

Five Pella Fiber vehicles—three vans, one SUV, and one truck—needed full vehicle wraps. Fifteen magnet decals and thirty-five regular vinyl decals were needed for the contractor vehicles. Graphic Technician Todd Richards, who specializes in digital printing and vinyl installation, and PEC Co-Owner Jarid Purvis met with Pella Fiber to develop a design for each piece.

“They had great ideas, playing off some sample pictures we showed them,” said Keetah Dodson, Pella Fiber’s customer service manager. “They also took our branding guide into consideration and worked to match colors and incorporate our icons into the designs.”

For the wraps, Todd used a program that allows him to tailor the design to the unique contours of a vehicle by inputting its make and model. Once the designs were finished, the wraps, decals, and magnets were printed on premium vinyl laminated for protection against scratches and UV rays. The wraps were also contour cut and installed by Pella Engraving.

“PEC was recommended to us by several local organizations. They have been professional and great to work with, plus the value of their product is excellent,” said Doy Ousley, the telecommunications director for the City of Pella. “All this, and we had the privilege of keeping our business local to Pella, which is very important to us.”

“Pella Engraving also provided the finished products on a tight timeline of just a few weeks,” added Keetah. “They did an excellent job responding to our needs.”

As the end of the year approaches, the to-do list for companies and managers gets long. It’s likely that somewhere on that list is ordering awards or plaques for top performers, dealers, and other employees who have gone above and beyond during the year.

In the hustle to cross off the most important items, it’s not surprising that whether those awards actually matter to the employees who get them is questioned. Don’t they end up collecting dust on a shelf?

Maybe…

But over and over again, studies from Gallup and other leading workplace success firms have confirmed that employee recognition is a significant contributing factor in engagement and retention, two key drivers of overall profitability. In fact, employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to leave your company. And those who choose to leave because of lack of recognition are probably top performers, making this doubly painful—and costly!

The good news? Studies also show public acknowledgement with an award or certificate is one of the six forms of recognition employees value most. A monetary award also makes the top six, but so do things like private recognition from a boss and increased job responsibilities—proving that it does not take a big investment to get positive results from the energy you put toward honoring employees who earn it.

So while that plaque or award may gather dust at some point, it won’t happen before it serves its main purpose—creating goodwill and reinforcing a positive company culture with team members and dealers who excel throughout the year.

TIP: When you’re delivering your awards, it’s ideal to make sure the person doing the recognizing is either the employee’s direct manager, or the CEO/high-level leader. Gallup data found that recognition from these two relationships is the most memorable to the employee, more so than recognition from their manager’s manager, peers, or customers.

Popular Employee Recognition Plaques and Awards From PEC

Pella Engraving & Sign Company offers a range of materials and styles for employee and dealer recognition plaques and awards. From simple to modern to traditional, we have an experienced team of designers who can help you create an award that will stand out in your employees’ minds and be valued throughout their careers.

Whether you need a year-end award, an employee-of-the-month plaque, or something to honor a career milestone, PEC is ready to meet your employee recognition award needs!

TIP: If you need awards in the next few months, contact PEC soon for the best selection. Our options and turnaround times vary based on our suppliers, the complexity of your design, and the size of your order.

Sandcarved awards are a popular choice available in many shapes and sizes. We offer three materials. Graphics on sandcarved awards are crisp and have a frosted look.

With our laser engraving capabilities, PEC creates awards that are unique to the organization or company that orders them. You can customize awards like this clock with your logo and the employee’s name, plus a photo placed to the left.

Honoring deserving employees with a plaque for public display is a great choice for many groups. The plaque can include photos and a description of achievements. A classic, etched magnesium plaque with a Metalphoto portrait is quite affordable and can be quickly turned around.

The PEC signage team (left to right): Co-Owner Jarid Purvis, Co-Owner Jeff Vroom, Todd Richards, and Jeff André.

When Pella Engraving Company acquired a local signage shop last summer, our two businesses quickly meshed. The shop, Sadler Sign and Design, operates as a division of PEC and has moved to a newly finished second-floor location in our facility on Washington Street in Pella, Iowa.

To fully reflect the new services PEC offers, we are now doing business under the name Pella Engraving & Sign Company.

“PEC is excited to have reached the point in this integration process where a name change feels so natural,” said Co-Owner Jeff Vroom. The Sadler Sign and Design name will be phased out.

Pella Engraving & Sign Company is also announcing a leadership transition within the signage division. Former Sadler Sign and Design Owner Tim Sadler stayed on staff to lead the signage division transition; his last day with PEC will be June 28. The signage team, which still includes two longtime Sadler Sign staffers, is now led by Vroom and another co-owner, Jarid Purvis.

“Throughout the process of training Jarid and Jeff, our focus has been first and foremost on serving our signage customers. We are fully prepared to continue delivering the wide range of signage needs our customers depend on us for in the weeks and years to come,” said PEC Co-Owner Bruce Van Wyk.

Check out some recent Pella Engraving & Sign Company work in downtown Pella

Nothing says small-town charm like a hanging storefront sign. This vinyl sign for Intellicents was fabricated by Pella Engraving & Sign Company and installed with a custom wrought-iron arm.

Our signage division has extensive vinyl capabilities. For this storefront window decal, the team printed the Faux Paws logo on vinyl using eco-solvent inks.

Ready to get started on your signage project? Contact us today!

To mark this season of growth, Creative Marketing and Communications Specialist Melissa Chipps was challenged to come up with new signage and wall displays. She turned to longtime friend Tim Sadler, head of Pella Engraving Company’s Sadler Sign & Design division.* Melissa and Tim worked together during the design phase, then the baton was officially handed to Tim and the PEC team. They turned Melissa’s ideas into reality in three major projects:

Headquarters Exterior Sign

First on the list was a new exterior sign for corporate headquarters. The Precision, Inc., team procured the ¼” aluminum and used their capabilities to cut out their new logo. The sign was then passed in two pieces to Pella Engraving Company. The Sadler division welded the pieces together. Then they created an installation template and manufactured brackets to install the sign into the concrete wall of the building. After the PEC team installed the sign, Gritters Electric came in and added LED backlighting so the sign can be illuminated at night.

The exterior sign was installed using brackets fabricated by PEC’s Sadler Sign and Design division.

Wall of Industries and Frosted Glass Brand Elements

In another project for corporate headquarters, the PEC team created a wall display highlighting the industries supported by PPI and PFI. High-definition color photos representing each industry were UV-printed on a thin layer of aluminum. Each aluminum tile was then attached to PVC backer pieces of different thicknesses. Brought together, the varying heights of the tiles give the display visual interest and depth. Glass panels with frosted-vinyl backing display the PPI and PFI logos and feature definitions of the terms, “manufacture” and “sanitary,” as they are used by Precision, Inc. The tiles and glass panels were installed by Tim and PEC Co-Owner Jarid Purvis in a hallway above the main lobby. Across the way, they installed frosted glass panels—also fabricated by the PEC team—that feature the corporate tagline and Precision, Inc., logo.

UV-printed aluminum tiles mounted on PVC backers of different thicknesses create a display with visual interest and depth.

The frosted glass panels display the corporate tagline and Precision, Inc., logo.

Wall of PPI Locations

For the interior of the Technology Center, PEC created another wall display, this time highlighting PPI’s four Iowa and two international manufacturing locations. Black-and-white photos were printed on five 24″ x 40″ Metalphoto® panels. This phototransfer technology permanently embeds dye into the pores of the aluminum, ensuring crisp detail and durability. Each photo panel was paired with a 24″ x 8″ plaque displaying the location name. The display was installed by Jarid and PEC team member Greg Dickenson in the main conference room of the Technology Center.

Metalphoto® anodized aluminum panels showcase black-and-white photos of each PPI location.

“I’ve known Tim for nearly 10 years and have always had a pleasant experience working with him and his team,” said Melissa. “They always seem excited when I bring something new to them, and they always accept the challenge of helping me bring my ideas to life. Pella Engraving Company and the Sadler division are my go-to whenever I need signage or display plaques.”

*In June 2019, Tim handed over the reigns of the signage division to PEC Owners Jeff Vroom and Jarid Purvis. Learn more about the signage team.

This summer, Pella Engraving Company and Sadler Sign & Design—two companies with long legacies in Pella—announced they were joining forces. Now a division of PEC, the Sadler team moved into a new, state-of-the-art studio located in the upper level of the PEC building in July.

It’s been a busy three months, so we’d like to pause for a moment to shine the spotlight on the Sadler Sign & Design division—its history, its services, its team … and what they’ve been up to since they moved in!

How it all began

“I’ve always had a love of typography and graphics, as well as architecture—particularly historic architecture,” recalled Tim Sadler. As an art major at Central College, he was able to explore his passion for drawing and painting. After working in print for a few years, it was natural for him to chart a career in the signage industry. Tim founded Sadler Sign & Design in 1979.

For nearly two decades, Tim designed and hand-painted signs for wide-ranging clientele. Then, in 1992, he started making the switch to vinyl signage because it is safer (no lead-based paint), more durable, and easier to train others to work with. In 2004, Tim’s team added digital printing to its repertoire. When Sadler Sign & Design became a division of PEC earlier this year, the team gained access to even more advanced sign-making technology (like PEC’s world-class paint booth, CNC router, and plasma cutter).

What Sadler Sign & Design can do

For nearly four decades, the Sadler team has specialized in designing, fabricating, and installing architectural signage. In particular, they’ve done a lot of corporate display work, tackling everything from storefront signs to large convention banners.

“We acquired Sadler Sign & Design to expand our indoor and outdoor signage offerings,” said PEC Co-Owner Jeff Vroom. “We’ve always been proud to offer high-quality products, so we knew Tim’s elegant vinyl work would fit right in. Plus, vinyl is less costly to work with, which is a plus for our customer base.”

Custom-painted acrylic nameplates with vinyl letters (courtesy of the Sadler division) provided the finishing touch for this directory for the Pella Regional Health Center.

In addition to the high-quality look and affordability, vinyl is a very versatile material. Aluminum, steel, acrylic sheet, and PVC can be cut to nearly any size and shape using the CNC router or plasma cutter. The top-of-the-line spray booth offers a vast range of color options. The result? A whole new world of signage possibilities for PEC customers.

Beyond signage, the Sadler team also brings in-depth knowledge of digital printing to the table. Over the years, they have established themselves as a trusted designer and provider of decals, labels, and graphics for vehicles and industrial machinery. This knowledge will fit right in at PEC; our state-of-the art UV flatbed printer has been creating colorful signage since April 2017.

Who makes up the Sadler Sign & Design team?

• Tim takes the lead in design, sales, client services, and project quoting. He is also well-versed in code compliance and often helps out with sign installation.
• Todd Richards also designs signage. He is a graphic technician, digital print specialist, and expert vinyl installer.
• Greg Dickinson handles digital printing, vinyl finishing, and installation.

Pella Engraving Company Co-Owners Jeff Vroom and Jarid Purvis also play key roles in management and installation, and Cyndi Fynaardt lends a hand in layout work. Customer Service Rep Sam Wallace handles order processing, and Sadler clients get their invoices from Bookkeeper Alyssa Zickel.

 What they’ve been up to … and what’s next!

The Sadler division has been working on several large projects since the summertime transition. Here’s a look at a few of them:

• On July 19, an EF-3 tornado ripped through the Pella campus of Vermeer Manufacturing, inflicting serious damage. The Sadler division was called in to create signage and banners that would help Vermeer employees find their way around as rebuilding took place.
• The Central College Athletic Department is rebranding. They have enlisted the Sadler team to create signage and other materials with their new logo.
• The Sadler division has fabricated new signs for The Cellar Peanut Pub, which has locations in Pella and Newton.
• They are working with Precision Pulley & Idler on integrating the company’s new logo in its signage, vehicle decals, labels, etc.

“It’s exciting to work in this state-of-the-art setup,” said Tim. “We look forward to continuing to integrate what we do into Pella Engraving Company.”

“Plaques and signs go hand in hand,” added Jeff. “We are eager to introduce the Sadler Sign & Design division to the PEC customer base so it can continue to grow.”