While the economy seems to be picking up and unemployment is on the decline there are still questions about the future of the economy and the outlook for 2012.  For many manufacturing companies there has been a decline in marketing budgets in recent years and the decision whether to invest in attending trade shows has been challenging. Some positive news is finally emerging though.

Recently the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released their report on the “The Changing Environment of Exhibitions”.  One aspect of the report looked into executives opinions about the importance and benefits of exhibitions and their future.  The result summarized by CEIR Research Director Nancy Drapeau is that  “the overall findings from this study indicate that business-to-business exhibitions are an integral part of a company’s marketing mix today and will continue to be so in the near term.”

Other findings indicate the most important factors when deciding to exhibit are:

Quality of Attendees – 84%
Favorable ROI – 54%
Positive Past Performance – 50%

While much information was gathered we think it speaks well to the 2012 trade shows that “99% of surveyed marketing executives identified a unique value of business-to-business exhibitions that is not provided by other marketing channels. The most popular value is the ‘ability to see a large number of prospects and customers over a short period of time,’ selected by 60 percent of executives.”  With this kind of endorsement hopefully the decision to travel to trade shows will be much easier in the future.

If CalCo can help you with any aspect of your trade show display please call us at 847/639-3858 or contact us.

CalCo Cutaways has a new company profile on Linkedin.  It is just another way for our customers and friends to find us and keep up with the latest services we offer. Connect with us to see the latest news, new services and the trade shows we are visiting.  You can also connect with our sales team to ask questions and get answers.

Now,  in addition to the old fashioned phone call at 847/639-3858, you can visit our website at www.CalCoCutaways.com, “like us” on Facebook, get an RSS feed from this NEWS site and now join us on LinkedIn.  With so many easy ways to contact us there is no reason not to ask about the new projects on your list.  Get us the details and we can provide some ideas and a free quote.

Walking around the show floor at the recent Power-Gen Show in Las Vegas, it is clear an abundance of power solutions are available, and the market is growing.

One of the larger exhibitors at the show, Leslie Controls, Inc. (designer and manufacturer of control valves for over a century – providing ZERO LEAK control valves for the power generation, industrial, marine and oil and gas markets), took advantage of their open booth design by placing product and information at every corner of the booth. The overall look was fantastic and drew in many people to learn more about Leslie Controls, and how their product’s advantages set them apart.

Does your booth offer an opportunity for prospective clients to have a hands-on experience in regards to your products? Sometimes this makes all the difference in the world.

Contact CalCo at 847-639-3858 for help with your booth or product displays.   Click here for more contact information or visit us on Facebook.

Real world training is so important to a product’s performance, longevity and operation. Without the proper tools to make something work correctly, time and money that could have been saved may fly out the window.

Training tools range from in-person classrooms to at-home virtual instruction and everything in between. Many times a simulation needs to be set up, whether with actual equipment or using virtual simulations, and every instance is unique.

In the above shown example, Honeywell came to CalCo with a need for an on-location demonstrator, inside a semi-portable carrying case for easy use during training, and easy storage all other times. By the end, the case was a working representation of a product group that works together in a building. A trainee could walk through the various instances and operations of each mode and test for proficiency.

The case was designed for strength and longevity with 2 wheels on one end and telescoping handle on the other. The removable face plate is texture painted aluminum diamond plate, and fabricated to fit all pieces securely.

When looking into a training simulator for your team, you will need to consider the audience, the location and the information that needs hands-on simulation. This is something your team will make great use of in the education of your employees, distributors, customers, service technicians and sales people. The more people that are familiar with the operation and maintenance of your equipment, the better experience will be had by all.

Click here for email information and be sure to reference this article and the scope of your project.  Or call 847/639-3858.  Find us on Facebook too.

Poster with Stand

Wall Mounted Poster

Sometimes the only way to get your point across is to GO BIG. Our training banner for fire departments is a good example of that. It is 6 feet high and 2.5 ft wide and includes a stand for portability. This banner shows a cutaway fire hydrant and is used to educate firemen on the inner workings of the hydrant. While this banner is used specifically for fire stations,  CalCo can create a banner for any product or situation. They are useful for training, sales presentations, investor meetings or trade shows.

Let CalCo help you get your message across with a large banner.  Show a cutaway of your product or blow up your small product so it is more noticeable.  Call 847/639-3858 or click here for contact information to get help with any kind of signage or display.  Visit CalCo on Facebook too.

Your product represents your company.  Whenever you display your product, whether at a sales call, at a trade show or to investors it is conveying information about your company.  The quality and ingenuity in your product makes a difference in today’s competitive marketplace and can determine whether your company thrives or just survives. Make sure your product is identifying your company in a positive way and that is emphasizing the quality and attention to detail that embodies your company as a whole.

The company that manufactures the valve above is an example of one that takes its dedication to quality to heart.  They have cutaway their entire line of products so that their attention to detail and their competitive advantages are on full display.  CalCo has done all of these cutaways for them because we are as committed to the details as they are.   We cutaway the valve above to show the interior functioning which can better sell the product.  It is painted to highlight the areas of focus and to draw the client in and it is plated so that it catches attention. It is mounted on an attractive aluminum base for stability and easier lifting. With a custom case it is protected from damage no matter where it needs to travel and it looks great when it gets there because we use a high density foam, cut to the exact dimensions of the product.  We can add logos and signage to your case to further enhance your presentation.  Let CalCo help you get your corporate message across to your clients without saying a word.

When you demonstrate your product to customers, distributors or investors you need to put your best effort forward and CalCo can help you do that.  Our focus is on making your product the star attraction. CalCo has years of experience with all types of products so if you want to make your product stand out give CalCo a call at 847-639-3858 or click here for contact information.  You can follow us on Facebook too.

We were recently asked to create a cutaway of a mixer, seen below, that would be displayed at one of the biggest fluid handling trade shows in the country.  It was on display at the WEFTEC show in Los Angeles.

The company conveyed to us how they wanted the mixer to look, including cut area and color scheme matching, we replicated those instructions and included this rail and T block support system which resembles the system used in the field. The company got exactly what they were looking for and we got another satisfied customer.

At CalCo exceeding expectations is what we strive to do for all of our customers.  We want to give you the best display possible so that you and your product look good.  If you need help with a display please contact CalCo at 847/639-3858 or click here for more contact information.  Find us on Facebook too.

Your product display is complete and it looks fabulous!  Now is the time to capture and commemorate the beauty of it.  CalCo offers a great way to do that through in-house photography sessions. Let us handle the details and coordination.  Before your product is shipped our professional photographer, with vast experience in product photography, can get the best angles to show  your product in its best light.  During a two hour shoot your product(s) is photographed from all sides with great lighting and different exposures, ensuring you have the magic shot. Images are delivered with a photo proof thumbnail sheet and CD-ROM with two brightness settings for each photo. Clipping path application option is available as well.

These high resolution images can easily be utilized for any media such as:

Brochures
Websites
Presentations
Newsletters
Videos
Emails
Literature
Product Spec Sheets
Catalog Pages
Wall or Show Booth Graphics
. . .and More

We mean it when we say “Your Product is our Profession”.  So let us complete your project with a professional photography shoot which will celebrate and perpetuate your product.  You will be able to utilize your new display in more ways and more places to get the most from your expenditure.  Call CalCo at 847/639-3858 or click here to get more information or pricing.  Visit us on Facebook too.

How exactly does an engine work? What is the difference between a gasoline and a diesel engine? What is an EGR cooler?

When it comes to training people on the common principles and uncommon details that every single engine contains, nothing beats a full size cutaway of an engine. Whether on a moveable piston engine, a static turbine engine or any other kind of engine, training departments across the globe rely on the realistic detail of an actual engine cutaway to best relay standard and model specific information to students.

At CalCo, you can be sure that widest viewing angles for the most cost effective prices can be achieved with the same high level of attention to detail as found in trade show floor displays. The finish level may be a bit subdued, but the longevity of the training equipment and quality of craftsmanship is just as high.

Training engines highlight the areas you want to teach and give a working knowledge of how the engine functions. Whether an entire engine or just a few key components, CalCo puts together just the right model to help you describe the part relationships and stories behind new or complex technologies.

Add color coded passageways to clarify the function of each section, custom cutaway areas exposing internal parts and paint to emphasize the parts of the engine you want to draw attention to.

A professional photography shoot of the training engine can be included to add to the training materials provided to students as well. Employees, distributors or anyone in the training session can follow along with the materials, make notes and leave with a visual reminder of the session. These trainees will have an easier time remembering the parts when they are color coded, they can remember the key points of the product when they are highlighted and they will remember the training when this unique engine is used.

A recent article in Industry Week discussed the importance of assessing your needs and using relevant materials. To access the article click here.

Training is more dynamic when it is hands-on and with a visually stimulating and interactive product it can be even more exciting. Let CalCo help to make your training sessions memorable!

Call CalCo at 847-639-3858, click here for contact information or visit CalCo’s Facebook page.