Jim Teal talks Wednesday about the process of making signs at Ortwein Signs.Ortwein Sign co-owner Jim Teal says the people who create the big signs which are up at such Chattanooga landmarks as Volkswagen and The Block are skilled craftsmen rather than simply workmen.
"They're more like artists," Teal said, adding that expertise translates well into fashioning custom pieces for clients. "We do a lot of unique finishes."
Ortwein Sign has undertaken manufacturing, sales and organizational steps which Teal said has helped both top-line and bottom-line growth and positioned the Chattanooga sign-maker to expand future sales.
"We exceeded growth goals last year. We're on track for this year," he said.
Teal said Ortwein is aiming for 15 percent growth annually. The company expects to do $3 million in sales this year.
Now employing 23 people, Teal sees the company hitting about 40 employees in three years.
"We'll have to staff up," he said.
Teal, 48, an engineer by training who was reared in Nashville, moved from Pennsylvania with co-owner and wife, Colleen, to get back to Tennessee and purchased the venture in 2007.
Located off East 50th Street, the company brought a second building two or three years ago to accommodate the growing business. Ortwein Sign was founded 90 years ago and for most of its history was owned by the Ortwein family here.
Teal said the company has hired a new manufacturing manager and gained efficiencies in its operations, investing about $150,000 in new equipment.
"We have two to three times the manufacturing capacity than this time last year," he said. "We've decreased our costs and that allows us to decrease costs to the customer."
Mark McKnight, e-commerce and marketing director at Rock/Creek, said the sign Ortwein did for the outdoors business at its new store at The Block in downtown Chattanooga is "certainly the best sign we've commissioned to date."
"The creativity that went into the design paid off with a final product that reinforces the uniqueness of our brand," he said.
Teal said that LED signs are growing in popularity, although those are a "little bit higher ticket item."
The company also brought on a new sales manager. In addition to targeting more Chattanooga area business, Ortwein broadened its sights into Knoxville and other areas outside of Tennessee, such as Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
About 25 percent of Ortwein's business now comes outside of the Chattanooga region, Teal said.
"While Chattanooga is growing, I see longer term growth ... with more work outside the Chattanooga market," he said.
Teal said an inside project management group helps Ortwein clients navigate the sometimes complex world of permitting and codes.
"We take care of that for the customer," he said. "That allows us to do bigger projects and more remote projects."
Teal said he foresees the company remaining at its existing location for the foreseeable future.
"We've got room to grow," he said, noting the company is running just one shift at present and could add another if needed.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.