(FLINT, Mich. – Sept. 10, 2015) Today, Signs by Crannie cut the ribbon on its new 52,000-square-foot facility in Flint Township, highlighting the completion of the company’s major investment project while marking its 30th year in business.
The $2 million facility, located on a 3-acre parcel on Market Place near Bishop Airport, employs 46 people who design, construct, install and service commercial signs throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Owner Dan Crannie was joined by Flint Township Supervisor Karyn Miller, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and Janice Karcher, Vice President of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, at the official unveiling of the recently renovated building. Clients, dignitaries and other guests were also treated to a barbeque lunch and a tour of the state-of-the-art facility, which includes an atrium with a 20-foot ceiling to exhibit samples of the company’s work.
“I believe that the values my dad taught me, like honesty, integrity and hard work, are the foundation of a successful business,” said Crannie. “These are the values I learned while growing up in Flint, and I’m proud to be back in the center of the Flint area where I started.”
Miller said that she is “pleased to welcome Crannie back to Flint Township. I share in the excitement of celebrating Signs by Crannie’s growth and expansion, and the opening of their new facility near Bishop Airport. Everyone driving or flying by will be able to see their bright red sign, displaying what they do best! Congratulations on 30 years, and thank you for choosing to invest in Flint Township!”
The Flint & Genesee Chamber also noted Crannie’s business acumen and civic involvements.
“Dan has shown great leadership, both in terms of growing his company and in being an outstanding ambassador of the business community,” said Karcher. “His leadership extends to community projects and other philanthropic efforts.”
Signs by Crannie specializes in digital signs, LED electronic signs and electronic message centers, channel letters, pylon signs, high-rise signs, vehicle wraps, monuments signs, archway signs, scoreboards, plaques, flagpoles, and neon and custom signs.
The company has experienced considerable growth over the last few years, as the number of local employees has grown from 30 to 46. Several more jobs could be added by the end of the year, said Crannie. Meanwhile, the new plant is more than three times the size of the 17,000-square-foot facility in Flushing where the company was formerly housed.
In 1985, Crannie opened Signs by Crannie in Flint using the skills he had gained hand-painting signs for Hamady Bros. grocery stores. Since then, he has grown from a one-person operation to more than 50 employees at locations in Flint Township and Fort Myers, Fla. The company has built signs across the Midwest, as well as delivering signs to Germany, France, Portugal, Venezuela and Brazil.
In addition to operating his business, Crannie partners with other businesses and organizations, including the Flint & Genesee Chamber, to promote education and career opportunities in manufacturing.