75 Years of Signage Success (Part 1)

HELP US CELEBRATE DUALITE’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY!?

After 75 years in business, we wish to reflect on how our industry's success was made possible, and all the wonderful changes that were made along the way! This is a tribute to our treasured employees, leaders, and partners that have all come together to shape Dualite’s story. We truly appreciate all the support throughout the years, especially the trust placed in us by our customers, empowering us to take the lead on their crucial branding endeavors. This enduring trust has encouraged us to continue innovating and serves as a prime motivation for our team to always bring the Dualite best to the table.??

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT?

Dualite takes delight in uplifting businesses across the nation by assisting with creation and enrichment of overall brand image. Our customers can be confident in the knowledge that they are placing their best foot forward by shaping their brand with quality, handcrafted signage executed by Dualite. After completion of the signage product, the installation and service projects are placed in the hands of experienced signage professionals. Our customer base entrusts us with creating solutions to their branding problems across industries – we’ve broken into the retail, banking, insurance, hospitality, carwash, and restaurant industries – you name it- we have been a part of it!?

ILLUMINATING THE GREATER CINCINNATI AREA?

Dualite’s two founders were Jack Applegate and William (Bill) Cobbe, who had both grown up designing signage and now wanted to break into the booming sign industry with their own company. They officially founded their dream of creating custom signage on September 16th in the year 1947 on Madison Road in Cincinnati with a four-man team. Additional locations around the area opened steadily over the following years as production departments further developed; including the addition of the silk screening and plastic forming processes in 1951.??

After facing challenges due to the rapidly expanding scale of production, Dualite sold the production portion of the company, initiating a sharp pivot towards perfecting sales and design. Shortly after this pivot, production was successfully reintegrated into the business with a more deliberate and controlled expansion of production to keep up with the growing business demand. To this day, products created by Dualite are displayed in the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, and the company is a partner countless local businesses and community leaders.?

WILLIAMSBURG, OHIO AND BEYOND?

Dualite’s headquarters moved to Williamsburg, Ohio in 1963 when the company took over the vacant office and factory formerly occupied by The Williamsburg Box Company. The sign company built two expansions in 1987 and 1988 respectively, and is still the largest employer in Williamsburg today. A strong hometown presence and close collaboration with Clermont County initiatives propels Dualite as the company provides nearly 200 jobs to the community. In honor of Dualite’s 75th anniversary, the Mayor of Williamsburg Mary Ann Lefker presented Dualite with an official proclamation naming September 17th “Dualite Day” - a testament to the impact of Dualite on the Williamsburg community.??

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP?

Unfortunately Jack Applegate passed away within a year after opening the Williamsburg location. This left Bill Cobbe as the sole owner and led the company until his passing in 1986 at which time Frank Schube took over Dualite business management. Frank was a beloved director who went out of his way to be involved in operations on a daily and personal level. He knew every employee and took pride in providing a steady livelihood for those employee to support their families.? Frank raised his children in the same manner and his son, Greg, now runs the company today.??

Greg Schube took over after his father retired in 2012 and encourages breakthroughs in the industry while staying true to the long-standing knowledge of tenured employees and partners. He collaborates closely with customers, vendors, and employees in all departments to impart great influence upon all those connected by Dualite.?

Another notable fact about Dualite’s leadership over the years includes the significant portion of women in leadership positions, especially in the early years of the company, such as in 1958 with the Office of Corporate Secretary. Another notable woman in Dualite’s leadership was Dorothy Black, a Dualite Officer elected in 1967 for a term of over two decades. Paula Mueller is our current VP of Finance and has guided the company through successful financial years and managing investments in our products and growth. Dualite prioritizes giving women a seat at the table and believe that this priority is a key ingredient to success. Historically the employee pool is actually comprised of a majority of women – which some may find surprising in the manufacturing sector. A varied employee base is just one of the goals that Dualite strives for in the recruiting and retention arena as the company welcomes employees with disabilities, varying sexual orientations, gender expressions, education levels, ages, socioeconomic situations, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.?

TRANSFORMING ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES?

Dualite has always partnered with recognizable brands such as Chevron, the Cincinnati Reds, Stihl, Motel 6, Michelin, and one of our longest standing accounts - Dollar General. From classic polycarbonate faces and fluorescent illumination through the 1980’s fascination with neon signs all the way to LED and Electronic Message Centers today.??

Read part two below:

Hey readers, have you seen a vintage Dualite sign or clock? Post your findings, tag our page and link this article! Post your favorite Dualite product and you could win a gift card to that company or another of our treasured client partners!?Comment on this article, add a photo or image to the comment section, and tag us on your own posts! We would love to hear from you about how Dualite has impacted your life or business! Anyone can post a review on Google or our Facebook page.