The BillsBoard™ for your Restaurant and Bar: More than Just a Table Tent

     Our new BillsBoard is a unique combination of useful tools: a table tent, a magnifier to help with reading the menu, and an LED light to brighten menus and tabs. It’s the BillsBoard Lighted Magnifier Table Tent and is now available exclusively from Consort!
     It’s the first table tent with a really useful function that the over-40 crowd will love and the younger ones will enjoy for ordering more items, signaling their friends and many other uses. Please see our video on this link: BillsBoard.
     We recently unveiled the BillsBoard at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago and the responses and enthusiasm were overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few of the many reactions to this revolutionary new product: “I love it, table tents are usually so ordinary, but this is an attention getter for sure.” "My dad could use this." "This would be great for getting the servers attention." "My servers are asked all the time for glasses and flashlights."
     Restaurant owners expressed that their customers would really appreciate the BillsBoard given how many requests they get for larger print menus, reading glasses and flashlights.
     Even with the additional benefits of the BillsBoard, they are sleek, slim and take up equal or less space than many traditional table tents. Each BillsBoard measures 7” tall by 3-1/2” wide and will hold a two-sided 3-3/8” by 4-7/8” menu or advertising insert and the middle component can be custom-colored and pad-printed with any custom logo or message.
     The BillsBoard requires no maintenance and the LED push-button light will last well over one year with typical intermittent daily use. Order today, satisfy your customers, and keep up with the evolution of the table tent with BillsBoard.

New! 28-Page Light Pole Banner Bracket Guidebook!

Since I’ve been actively and earnestly involved in our first product line, Kalamazoo Banner Works, for over 27 years, I've developed quite a lot to say about it. I believe it is worthwhile to share, especially since we are asked questions daily about the subject of hardware for light pole banners.

The Kalamazoo Banner Works (KBW) line of BannerFlex® Banner Brackets is the oldest brand in the bracket business, and unquestionably the most innovative. Of course, I’ve written about these products many times, but now we have published the ultimate guide to answer almost any question we’ve ever received.

Our new BannerFlex Banner Hardware Guidebook is available to you in .pdf download format or by requesting an actual printed copy at info@consort.com As the preface in the guidebook says, "This information is presented especially for those considering the specification of banner brackets for use with vertical street banners, which are typically installed in communities for exterior light and utility poles."

We have especially compiled this information for anyone considering the purchase of competing products to the KBW Kalamazoo Banner Works product line. The Guidebook perfectly illustrates the considerable time and resources we've invested in the testing of our banners and brackets, including four separate wind tunnel tests. This guide is a result of that knowledge base and is intended to be a narrative for customers, engineers, utility companies and public works officials and briefly explains our products, our testing and what, in general, we know from experience about vertical banners on light poles. As always, if you need additional information, visit our website or contact your Consort KBW representative by phone or email. Our sales representatives, dealers and resellers are available to answer any additional questions or concerns.

Please Note: The installation of banners on exterior light and utility poles is serious business. The attachment of any devices above the heads of the public and above vehicles demands precision products tested and accurately manufactured and installed correctly. KBW Kalamazoo Banner Works by Consort Display Group has been innovating, testing and manufacturing these specific products since 1983.

I’d love to hear back from you after you’ve had a chance to review the information. If we’ve left anything out or if you have any questions please contact me.  Roger Lepley

Trust the Innovators...Not the Imitators!

Preface: This information is presented especially for those considering the specification of banner brackets for exterior light and utility poles. This information is recommended for anyone considering the purchase of competing products to the KBW Kalamazoo Banner Works product line. Please Note: The installation of banners on exterior light and utility poles is serious business. The attachment of any devices above the heads of the public and above vehicles demands precision products tested and accurately manufactured and installed correctly. KBW Kalamazoo Banner Works by Consort has been innovating, testing and manufacturing these specific products since 1983.



How and why has KBW by Consort been the uncontested leader in exterior light pole banner bracket innovation?

Kalamazoo Banner Works was the first banner company in the world to actually design light pole brackets specifically with performance in mind. Prior to this, brackets consisted of steel pipe arms welded to steel collars that were then bolted to light and utility poles. The failings of this primitive method were that the steel would bend and stay bent in the wind. And, the steel collars were rarely tight enough on the varying-sized poles and subsequently easily loosened in wind storms. This resulted in shoddy installations that also allowed the banners to flop around and rip and tear relentlessly in wind gusts. Besides that, the steel rusted quickly and added one more eyesore to the installation.

The Introduction of Fiberglass Banner Arms

KBW’s first innovation was the use of fiberglass arms in 1983, the same year that KBW began business. Now, when you see a banner bracket on a light pole and you notice that it has a round, white fiberglass rod holding the banner that is because KBW was the first in the world to come up with the concept to use fiberglass. Next, we dismissed steel collar in favor of a system of stainless steel banding that took the exact shape of each light pole’s exact cross-section.

The Introduction of the Universal Pole Casting Mounted with Stainless Steel Banding
 When you see stainless steel banding holding that bracket to the pole, think of KBW as the first to provide that versatile method. This started with heavy duty Band-It® brand, tool-applied banding and now includes custom-made heavy duty screw gear banding for certain installations.


The Introduction of the “Canted” Fiberglass Banner Arm

When you are told that a bracket arm is “canted” say, 2 degrees or 4 degrees, to stretch the banner and keep it trim and taut, think of KBW as the originator of this concept in 1984. This cant avoids banner flapping and allows the wind force to immediately be transferred to the fiberglass which then deflects some of the force, depending on the KBW bracket model and the size of the banner.

The Introduction of the First Adjustable Banner Bracket

KBW first developed and patented the BannerFlex® D3 “adjustable” bracket in 1988 to allow ease of installation and banner changes and to allow the taut installation of varying size banners. This was a major innovation for the industry and this technology continues to dominate the market.

The First Full-Size Wind Tunnel Tests on Street Pole Banners and Hardware

To insure adequate strength and durability, KBW contracted to undergo the first full-size wind tunnel tests in 1984 at the GM Aeronautical Laboratory in Detroit. Subsequently, KBW has performed 4 other tunnel tests. Three smaller tests were performed at the University of Michigan tunnels in 2001 and the fourth was a comprehensive full-size test at the Jacob-Sverdrup facility in Allen Park, Michigan in 2002.

The Acknowledgement that Winds Slits in Banners are Actually Detrimental

In both full-sized tests, in 1984 and 2004, testers observed and documented that the typical wind slits and holes that some folks put into vertical street banners are not necessary or even advisable with fiberglass arm brackets. Three reasons: First, the holes set up vibrations, when the wind goes through the holes, similar to organ pipes and the vibrations can affect the life of the lighting fixture and may well be detrimental to the pole and its base over the long term. Second, wrinkles are created in the banners between the holes that actually capture more wind thereby putting greater force on the brackets and light pole. And third, the small size of wind holes typically put into banners is usually only 3 to 5%of the banner surface area. As you can see, all in all, wind holes are not useful.

The First Banner Bracket Designed Specifically to fit Ornamental and Fluted Poles

In 2005, KBW Consort introduced the Metro® bracket which was the first, and currently only, to be designed specifically to comfortably fit the majority of ornamental fluted and antique light poles. This streamlined, smaller bracket also incorporates the adjustability of the larger KBW brackets but uniquely features “inboard banding ports” for a compact, sleek look popular with architects and landscape architects.

The Most Important Advancement in Banner Bracket Technology: The BannerFlex Airow® Bracket

For the crowning achievement in bracket advances, in 2004 KBW introduced the BannerFlex Airow® bracket. This unique, patent-applied-for bracket is eccentrically-shaped pultruded fiberglass with a UV coating. The shape allows more than twice the flexibility of the standard full-round arm by providing the necessary structural support nearest the pole and less and less support nearer the outside edge of the banner, thus significantly dissipating the ultimate force on the banner, the utility pole and less vibration onto the luminaire. And, KBW continues to research this technology. Look for further advancements with the Airow soon.

The Introduction of the Only “Wind Force Calculator” Offered by a Banner Bracket Company

To compare the advantages of the Airow over standard round arms, our aeronautical engineers
consultants have placed applicable testing data into an easy to use program for our customers’ use. Try out our Wind Force Calculator on the BannerFlex website. If you require different but similar data that is not available in this program please contact your KBW/Consort Sales Representative.

The First and Only Banner Bracket Banding Guideline Providing Fastening Advice

We have compiled a “BannerFlex Banding Guideline” on the web to assist in selecting the proper size and method of stainless steel banding and bolting advice for your particular specifications. This guide gives you proven experience on what will work for exterior installations based on the size and number of banners to be installed on a pole. The options include ½”, 9/16” and 5/8” screw gear banding as well as the proven best choice of ¾” toll-applied Band-It® type banding. You should know that KBW is the only company to have 5/8” “captured screw gear banding” custom manufactured f to our specifications by Ideal® Banding.

The First Ten Year Banner Bracket Warranty

By being innovators in the business for over 27 years, we currently have banner bracket installations that we know are actually that old and which are fully functioning installations. Many of these have needed little or no maintenance beyond needing a new banner once in a while. In Kalamazoo, Michigan we are very sure that we have the world’s oldest street banner installation that has never had any attention. It utilizes our first fiberglass arm technology. That example is just one reason why we are comfortable with our ten year warranty. We have supplied well over a million exterior banner brackets around the world because the fiberglass, aluminum and glues that we use are proven time and again. Do not trust any other company who claims warranties like ours who have not actually manufactured for as long as they warrant. Why would you do that?

Other Banner Bracket Accessories Available Only From KBW/Consort

1. “Square Pole Adapters” – to place on the back of the D3 and Metro Main Castings to fit odd-shaped fluted poles or allow more banding tension on flat-faced square poles installations. There are manufactured to exactly fit our hardware cross-sections.
2., “Flower Pot Holders” – these special arms fit within the BannerFlex D3 and Metro Main Castings to allow flower pots to hang.
3., “Custom Finials” – these special fittings are available in any custom or stock shape and fit the end of any arm except the Airow.
4., "Wall Mount Plates" - for mounting our banner hardware onto exterior walls with both stock and custom shapes.
5., "BannerFlex Installation Video" - and, many other pdf. files, including our Ten Year BannerFlex Warranty available on our website.

Visit the KBW website or contact us for more information on the above.

Last but Not Least, KBW Originated the 30” x 94” (7’-10”) Banner Length for a Purpose

This longtime first is the 30” by 94” size that you often see specified. This 7’-10” length was first adopted by KBW in 1983 to ensure that exterior light pole banners could also be hung inside a room with an 8 foot ceiling. Yes, that’s it. We decided on that particular size for the largest of our stock designs based on practical use. This fact should speak volumes on the details that we consider when designing our products.

I hope that all of the above illustrates our dedication to KBW/Consort being your best possible choice for exterior banner brackets. Details, details, details – quality, innovation, experience and details. That’s our story.

Roger Lepley

Why Mya® Personal Tables Make a Great Gift

The Holiday Season is upon us, and you may be asking yourself: “Hmmm… what to buy for that special someone?”

Each year around this time, a number of people from Kalamazoo and surrounding areas return to Consort to order a new supply of Mya tables to give as gifts. Their commitment to Mya comes as no surprise; they make the perfect gift!

Mya Personal Tables are extremely customizable. You decide from the L, J, or I-Series table styles, choose the appropriate height for the recipient, and of course, select the perfect table top from our vast selection. With so many different options, you could create the ideal table for practically anyone on your shopping list.

Mya tables are appropriate for those who enjoy entertaining, especially when there are no tables near the seating. And, know that Mya tables can be used outdoors as well and we might suggest the teak or tile tops for exterior use. In fact, several of our customers enjoy taking their Mya tables camping. With the right top, these tables are extremely durable and able to withstand the elements; a fitting gift for those who enjoy the outdoors on your list.

People who live in small apartments will especially appreciate the added convenience. The I-Series footprint measures just 7.5” square, making it easy to place where other tables would simply be too large.

No matter how large the room, Mya tables are comfortable. With just a 5-3/4” square top they perfectly hold your drink with unparalleled flexibility in their placement. Mya’s have many additional uses including a place for keys, sculpture, speakers and plants, making Mya tables a handy, quality and personal gift year after year.

The Best: Not Always the Most Expensive - KBW Banner Brackets Are a Bargain

     Because Kalamazoo Banner Works’ BannerFlex Banner Brackets are literally the leading and most trusted products in the street light banner bracket business, most people assume they are also the most expensive.
     Not true.
     There are two main reasons this assumption is false. First of all, the actual US dollar cost of our BannerFlex products are in the mid-price range of banner brackets. Even though they are superior, this is possible because they are designed using contemporary technology and materials, resulting in high strength and high efficiency profiles for the castings and greater flexibility in the arms. Our products are designed by professional engineers and industrial designers using the latest in CAD formats to take advantage of modern material-attributes versus mechanics and machinery, in order to reduce wind force. I say this because many of our competitors are producing “under-design” or “over-design” consisting of either not-quite-enough strength or more-than-enough strength - the latter example resulting from heavy castings and / or big spring-mechanisms with too many parts, culminating in higher prices, higher shipping costs and eventually maintenance and costly repairs, because mechanical gizmos always require upkeep.
     Secondly, based on life-cycle-assessment, KBW products are not the most expensive because of the long-term durability and proven track record of astute design and superior manufacturing. Our ten-year warranty is a perfect example of our commitment to provide excellence at a reasonable cost. Because of our technology-base and 27-year experience, we are comfortable with offering a decade of warranty for Kalamazoo Banner Works banner bracket hardware. If you have a problem, we will replace the product. We only ask for a photo or two and a reasonable description of weather or traffic conditions (we don’t warranty brackets being hit by trucks but if you don’t think that’s what happened, we will believe you and you are covered).
     So there you have it. KBW – superior quality, service and value.
     Please let us know what other Consort Display Group related questions or topics you would like us to address.

Roger Lepley