888.411.4AGI
About AGI
“Real Customer Service” is the foundation upon which Associated Graphics was built. This is why Associated Graphics’ customer service is the absolute best in the industry. Since the beginning, AGI focused on steady growth and growing with our clients. The team at AGI has always been very competitive and exhibit a “whatever it takes” attitude to get the job done right and on time. We understand that “the customer comes first” on every project. These are the core values that have built the culture of Associated Graphics today.
Industrial Designer Roger McPeek was managing the graphics program for Tasman Motorsports Indycar team when he and Adam Wright, a former Professional Race Car driver and Business Development Manager for the Mid-Ohio School met. Both had strong entrepreneurial aspirations outside of the racing world. When the opportunity arose to form a business, combining Mr. Wright's marketing skills and Mr. McPeek's graphics expertise made complete sense. Together, they formed Associated Graphics, Inc.
The company's first facility was Mr. Wright's former race shop. AGI occupied about 600 sq. feet and employed one person. It wasn't long after, the business increased and an expansion was needed. After one year, AGI moved to a 3600 sq. ft facility. This was a 400% increase in production and installation space. Shown to the right is the first of many plotters purchased.
In today's marketplace, full-color vehicle wraps are widely utilized and visible on any highway or street corner. Before "wraps" were common-place, our industry had to rely on paint and cut-vinyl graphic combinations to provide such "full-coverage" products.
Shown to the right is an example of how the design professionals at AGI utilized these processes. The base gradient and background color is paint while other elements of the design (car, logos, "swoosh") were composed of many layers of cut-vinyl. Firestone used this trailer on the Indy racing circuit for just over five years before updating the design.
This Mettler Toledo bus is the first motor-coach project produced by AGI. Mettler, a long time client, approached AGI to handle the design, production and installation of their new motor-coach. The client asked for a very simple design that would encompass their logo and primary colors, which had a high level of contrast against the black paint. There were very few black motor-coaches at this time, which added to the level of visibility on the road. AGI is proud to still manage the graphics program for Mettler Toledo today!
AGI had recently begun working with Advanced Bus Industries (ABI) when they were awarded the contract from Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to build and supply the graphics for a new fleet of "low floor" transit buses. All of the graphics were produced at AGI headquarters, while AGI's installation crews were sent on location to the factory of ABI. Shown to the right is the revealing of the new bus line to the public.
With exponential growth in the emergency vehicle and motor-coach industries, AGI quickly realized the need for facility expansion to accommodate larger vehicle types. Special floors were installed to accommodate the excessive weight of the vehicles. 360 degree lighting and work stations were installed to increase installation precision and productivity.
When AGI first took over the fleet graphics account of Sofa Express, the box trucks adorned a rather boring, gray, 1/color silhouette of a couch with the corporate logo. It really didn't showcase their diverse product line very well. The professionals at AGI quickly met with the marketing department of Sofa Express Corporate and encouraged a change in their fleet image. AGI strongly advised the client to move forward with their graphics into the "digital" arena. This allowed the client to actually showcase images of their product offerings. These marketing efforts paid in dividends as Sofa Express grew like wildfire, starting in Ohio and stretching through the Carolina's. As new locations opened, AGI not only produced and installed all box truck graphics across the region but also provided all of the interior decal production and installation of specialized vinyl's and prints.
This was AGI's first "wrap" project ever completed. They were faced with a pressing timeframe as this unit was scheduled to ship overseas to Haifa, Israel immediately after completion. AGI used what the industry referred to then as "Scothprint" to achieve the desired effect with this unit. These prints were produced on E-Stat Scothprint 2000 machine, which is not seemingly absolute.
In 2004 the emergency vehicle industry was ready to explode due to government funding and higher safety regulations. Realizing the industry would undergo such a drastic increase in sales, AGI keenly formed close relationships with the nations most recognizable and respected manufacturers. AGI is still the preferred graphics supplier of these internationally known OEM's, providing custom design and flawless installation. From any location in the United States to Baghdad, you're likely to see an emergency vehicle with AGI's graphics.
In 2006, AGI's retail graphics division took flight. AGI was selected as a preferred supplier for many of the nation's largest airports and public facilities. With a strong presence in over 144 major airports throughout the nation, you've probably seen our work first hand! These time-sensitive and highly visible projects require close communication between our Logistics department and the airport, ensuring each project is completed correctly and on-time.
Nationwide Insurance, a long-time client, asked AGI to assist them with a pilot program in Texas. This program consisted of over one hundred vehicles, all requiring installation on location. This program required all of AGI's project management teams. A detailed schedule was devised by AGI for not only the installation of each full wrap vehicle, but for also a shuttle and car rental program. This ensured each agent would have transportation to and from the installation facility, allowing each agent to continue working while AGI was installing their graphics. After completion, this project was a huge success. We are proud to still manage the fleet account of Nationwide Insurance today!
With an increased demand for streamlined services, many companies are seeking ways to save money. AGI sought out the possibility of a "turn-key" operation for fleet and service vehicles. This vision would allow the client to procure both fleet graphics and all necessary upfitting and emergency lighting components from one source, eliminating unnecessary travel time and gas expense. Through this vision, Associated Vehicle Products (AVP) was born. With the addition of AVP, AGI quickly became Ohio's premier "Integrated Fleet Source", servicing both local and regional accounts.
AGI is following a pattern of steady and continued growth. They attribute this success to their award-winning customer service for always keeping maintaining the highest standards for their clients. As growth continued and installations increased, it was evident AGI needed more space. With the addition, AGI has six climate controlled installation bays which gives them the ability to host up to 23 standard fleet vehicle at once.
Many notable fleets are faced with downsizing or extending the life of existing fleet vehicles to eliminate the purchase of new units. AGI is approached by many of the nation's most notable brands to de-identify (remove) the graphics of hundreds of plate trailers and vehicles throughout the nation. When a vehicle is turned in from a lease, it must have all markings and trademarks removed and not visible. AGI utilizes custom, state-of-the-art processes to ensure these vehicles are removed in a timely manner and without damage to the actual vehicles.
Realizing a need to update our own branding efforts, AGI started the re-branding process for their own fleet vehicles. This "Made You Look" marketing initiative will be fed through various communication mediums, including the internet and television. Their vans showcase many items they offer and encourage to their clients. One item is a full wrap graphics package, which includes reflective vinyl and prints utilizing AGI's "Visual Enhancement Package". Additionally, the vans have upfitting components such as interior shelving, strobe lights, laptop mounts, back-up cameras, utility hitches and window tint. Our vans are not only "moving billboards" but also "moving showrooms". They boast an effective design with a clear message.
AGI is quickly approaching their 15th Anniversary. Through the last 15 years, AGI has endured many growing pains and changes to stay competitive and offer the best products and services the industry has to offer, with no exceptions. Through all of these changes, the one thing that hasn't changed is their commitment to be the best at what they do! AGI always strives for excellence and looks for ways to improve what they do. They believe this culture is one of the primary reasons AGI is the juggernaut we are today in the fleet and retail graphics industry. AGI would like to thank all of their loyal clients and partners for their continued interest in AGI. AGI looks forward to servicing all of their clients for another 15 years.
