Don’t be trashy. 

We live in a throw-away society. Just last week I was dumped for a younger, blonder, skinnier version of myself. Over-consumption and excessive production of short-lived and disposable items has resulted in an instant gratification society. (Note: I ain't the kind of girl who provides instant gratification. Could have contributed to the break up…) This would be alright if we had an everlasting supply to clean energy to make replacement goods and bottomless landfill sites. But we have neither. 

 

Disposable relationships aside, people seem to have forgotten how to re-use, repair, recycle and reduce. Instead, the trend to replace has taken over. At Expand a Sign, we see the benefit of superior quality products. They simply last longer. Our Banner stand, Ex-Dome gazebo, Ex-Shade parasol and Ex-Up frames are designed so the frame can be re-used with new printed “skins”. Our Ex-Dome gazebo is even supplied with a 'spare parts kit' in the event that Mother Nature or a lack of common sense requires the frame to be mended on location. Our polyester fabric is also 100% biodegradable. Our slogan of 'say no to styro' means that all packaging is made of cardboard and can be re used.

We are also committed to community development and our strict recycling programme works hand in hand with this. All waste fabric from the business is donated to a small sewing enterprise made up of previously unemployed women who make unique school bags, shopping bags and sports bags. Each person involved benefits directly and in this way, we are helping to uplift the local community. We’ve bought thousands of these school bags and donated them to under-privileged school children around South Africa as part of an AIDS education programme. Our international agents and affiliated companies as well as other corporate companies are also buying shopping bags and sports bags as customer incentives and give-aways. 

We're doing our bit to wipe out waste. After all, people who recycle can do it over and over and over.

Cheers,

The EAS Team.

Sunday dawned and with it the realisation that the weather was horrible. I woke up with the thudding of my barbeque room door echoing through the house. I really need to fix that door. (yes, the weather gets so bad in Cape Town that we need a room to BBQ in) 

Had winter finally arrived in Cape Town? I am an eastern Cape boy and in the 22 years that I have lived in this place of 4 seasons in one day, I have always hated the weather. Upon waking, my wife and I had a simultaneous thought; What are we to do with our boys on a day like this. Shopping? No, boring. Aquarium? No, did that last weekend. What, then? I remember reading in that Westcoast Guide magazine that it is the Darling wild flower festival. Wife said. "Yesss!" I groaned. "Let’s go check it out. It will be nice for the boys too." She added, "Perhaps the weather will be better there and if it’s not, we can go and check out something else."

I know when to keep quiet.

An hour later our 2 sons were dressed, breakfasted and ready to go. Jackets, beanies and scarves were the order of the day.

We arrived in the small village of Darling and the weather was worse.

Jumping castles, wine tastings and the flower show were almost all deserted. There were a few loyalists, but they must have lived in the neighbourhood and were making up the numbers. The wind was howling. Being an Expand a Sign man, whenever the wind is like this, I look for banners. I was not disappointed.

Our Expand a Sign Flying Banners stood proud and bright in front of the dark and gloomy backdrop of the sky, with all else flapping and falling around them. The innovative design of the Flying Banner ensures they cut through wind and rain and remain standing. Unlike myself, who had no desire to be the Last Man Standing in Darling, and was just dead keen to get back home.

Cheers,
Expand a Sign Cape Town.

 

A steamy 37'c mid afternoon, yesterday saw me cruising down the town's main road with my window down, arm out, and Justin Bieber on the radio squealing about being so teeny tiny.

Being the law-abiding driver that I am, I halted at a pedestrian stopping and allowed the on-foot masses to sluggishly amble past me in the extreme heat. But like lemmings to a seaside cliff, they all appeared to be headed in the same direction. As my gaze followed them, I noticed a roadside fast food franchise was dispensing softserve ice cream cones at an astonishing pace. Arms everywhere, money exchanging hands at lightening speed, it looked more like a horserace tote or the stock exchange than a take away joint.

Beside the entrance stood 4 Medium double-sided Flying Banners. For a chicken-aholic or anyone in desperate need of something to quench their thirst, the banners were certainly eye-catching enough to advertise the establishment's presence.

Although we do provide a range of suitable mounting options, I chuckled as I noticed the old tyre being recycled and used as a weight. I certainly couldn't fault their efforts.

I might have sped off and left the banners behind me, but still can't seem to curb the craving for chicken wings. Go figure.

Cheers,

The EAS Team.

Picture the scene:

You overslept this morning, traffic is at gridlock, and you are late for a company event.

You could choose to dither in your poor time-management skills, the fact that you insisted on watching CSI until 1am, and the beer intake that took place simultaneously. Or, and this is the advisable option, you could be grateful that your destination (should you reach it) is an idyllic Golf Resort, where you will be setting up and hosting a hole at a charity golf day. Soaking up the sun, salty air, and your sand wedge.

When you reach the resort, luck is on your side. You effortlessly empty the contents of your car into a golf cart and meander down the path toward your sponsored hole. There are two scantily clad promotional ladies awaiting your arrival who happily remove the contents of the golf cart and help to set up  the Ex-Dome gazebo, 2 Large Flying Banners and an XL Ex-Up Wind-Up Banner. Fully branded in 10 minutes! Who says blondes aren't clever?

In your urgency, you might have left your mobile phone at home but you remembered to bring the extras; a tablecloth, tee-disc and pin flag.

Your spot is looking great. The guy next to you looks bleakly at his tatty parasol and then enviously gazes over at your branding. You smile, wave and holler to him, 

"Three words, buddy. Expand a Sign."

Some believe there is little in life more thrilling than 80 minutes of weaving your way through a horde of opponents at full sprint, landing that penalty from an almost impossible position in almost impossible circumstances, or leading a stampede to bring down a powerful player.

Some of us, unfortunately, have the hand eye co-ordination of a blind amputee and are limited to merely watching the fine game of Rugby instead of playing it. 

But we have still been able to get involved.

Over the past 5 years, as a sponsor and branding partner, Expand a Sign has forged strong ties with the London Irish Rugby Club, the team, and the supporters. We've provided the club with a wide range of banners and branding products for the endorsement of the brand, the club and the other sponsors.

On match day, Small, Medium, Large and even the XLarge Flying Banners display the lavish colours of the club. The hospitality area is peppered with Ex-T BannerStands and the stadium mega store also is adorned with the stunning display of 1.5m wide Ex-Rolls BannerStands.

Off the back of the relationship, Expand a Sign has enjoyed developing new relationships and business with virtually all of the other Premiership Rugby Clubs as well as many other associated events and bodies, including the Middlesex 7’s Competition, the Bournemouth 7 competition  as well as the RFU, England’s governing body over rugby and rugby development.

The overriding story with all of these premium clients is that they choose to purchase and endorse Expand a Sign products due to the impeccable service, support and quality that we offer.

However, it does have its downside. The waistlines of many of our Expand a Sign supporting staff have suffered, particularly in the pre season training for the formation drinking and social activities squad. 

Remember - New Zealand are playing Australia this weekend, in the final of the Southern Hemisphere's Tri Nations. We'll be anxiously watching the All Blacks’ Haka and the Wallabies run onto the field for the last time in this tournament.

Cheers,

EAS Team.

Work on your tan while we work on your branding.


With Summer winding down in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring making it's warm entrance in the Southern half of the globe, now is the ideal time to get out in the sun and lap up some Vitamin D.  

Get the ol' lime green mankini from the cupboard, lather on some Factor 40 and head for the beach.

From sponsored surf and music festivals to seaside cafe's and restaurants, branding can be seen wherever beachgoers are. 

Carlsberg placed 3 Expand a Sign Flying Banners in one of the most popular beach clubs of an island off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey. These banners have not been taken down for the last 2 months, in full sun exposure. There is no sign of fading and they are still looking good. Quality does matter.

Joe Cools Restaurant's top deck overlooks the beautiful North Beach in Durban, South Africa. We supplied them with branded Castle Lager Ex-Shade parasols. Not only do they entice customers to enjoy an ice-cold beer, but also provide cover from the elements.The Ex-Shade parasols are great, as you can replace the fabric or 'skin' to update your branding or marketing message.

Bored of lounging around on your deck chair? Why not get the blood pumping and take up volleyball? (Perhaps replace the mankini for this activity. Wedgies are no fun!) Expand a Sign's Folding A-Frames are ideal for beach activities. The pop-up mechanism means that there is no risk of injury. These branding products are lightweight and quick to assemble, offering instant visibility and convenience. 

 We've already blown up our inflatable tubes and are ready to hit the beach, so cheers for now.

EAS Team.