As 2017 draws to a close, we have one item of 2017 business left.
We want to say “thank you.” Thanks to our customers, dealers, employees, rep firms, and others, 2017 was the biggest and best year in Draper’s 115 year history!
Here are some of the highlights:
The Unveiling
As part of our 115 year anniversary, Draper embarked on a rebranding to clarify the company’s mission, services, and goals; simplify a business approach; and refresh its relevancy to customer needs. The rebranding includes a new logo, look, and website. We also developed a new tagline to describe our philosophy: Focused on innovative solutions.
Wilshire Grand
Draper provided a one-of-a-kind motorized blind system with 12-inch louvers for the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles. These systems were installed in the lower and upper sky lobby (70th through 72nd floors) to control heat buildup and reduce glare, while providing a unique aesthetic. The Wilshire Grand is the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River.
Canadian Parliament
Draper will help the Canadian Parliament meet and debate in comfort. We have designed custom-operated louver systems to provide solar control over a large expanse of glazing above the parliament’s main debating chamber. This louver system will prevent direct sunlight from penetrating into the chamber. It is a huge project and one that has called for very precise detail work.
A New Market
Our decision to enter the digital signage market this year was an important milestone for the company. We’re looking forward to growth in this exciting new area in 2018 and beyond.
NEC Partner Showcase
Three weeks before NEC’s huge Partner Showcase at New York Digital Signage Week, the display solutions provider found itself in need of custom structure solutions. And, the project had to be started from scratch. With our planned slow entrance into digital signage, it was a formula for failure, but thanks to a lot of all-nighters and extra attention from the custom solutions group, everything was finished on time and a big hit at the showcase.
Lifting the Veil
Twice this year we invited journalists to Spiceland, Indiana, for what we call the “Draper experience.” These press visits involved presentations about our solutions and our history, and facility tours. Both events were extremely successful, and the participants left with more respect for Draper and greater understanding of our capabilities. We got some nice coverage from the visits.
The Awards Keep Coming
We continue our tradition of designing and building award-winning products. In 2017, our new FlexShade Recharge battery-powered shade and our latest TecVision ambient light rejecting screen surface, CS1200X ALR, won multiple awards. There were special awards for a couple of people, as well. John Pidgeon received the Henry County United Fund Spirit of Giving Award for his work with the organization supporting many local charity agencies. And, Penny Sitler was honored by Systems Contractor News. The AV publication named her to its Hall of Fame.
Employee Appreciation Day
September 28 we celebrated the biggest reason for our success: our employees. We grilled hamburgers, played games, and dropped human resources manager Karl Dick and field sales manager Lee Denhart in the dunk tank several times. It was a fun day, and just a small token of thanks for all our employees do and what they’ve helped Draper become—a truly innovative market leader.
National Best and Brightest
We started the year with more recognition for our wellness program. Draper was one of 62 companies named the Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness by the National Association of Business Resources. We were one of four Indiana companies to make the list and the only Hoosier manufacturer to do so.
Those were some of our favorite moments of 2017. What are yours? Share them in the comments below.
While 2017 was our biggest and best year ever, we are confident that 2018 will be even bigger.
