Some years back when we were sticking our toes into the metal art pool we never dreamed we would have grown to the point that we are at today. Our first metal art products were fabricated using our plasma machine. For those who have used a plasma before you understand like us that they are not the most precise machines. Many extra hours of prep were spent grinding away rough edges. At that time our artwork was finished using wet paint. That was a challenge in itself.

Growing the Business

As business began to grow, one of our owners decided that in order to produce more product we needed to upgrade our machinery.  Soon we had a-rockin’ laser machine on site.  Well, that was after a few minor adjustments such as building a new shop building.  The new building was a great idea as we soon left the wet paint process behind and began powder coating all metal art pieces.  This required us adding a paint booth and a curing oven.  Soon our shop was filled with all the tools and equipment to ramp up our production.

Everything we did, in the early days, was a learning process for us. Looking back at some of the metal art we did, seemed primitive. Fortunate for us we have a team of forward thinkers inspiring us all to move ahead and refine our designs as well as our processes. I like to think we have reached a point that our metal art pieces stand well above the average business sign. Around here we like to say “Avoid the Ordinary.” That is why we take time to refine the designs requested and we are a bit tough on ourselves when we do our quality inspection. A little flaw can send a piece back through the processes.

We Like Metal Business Signs

As business progressed we were approached by several local businesses asking if we could make business signs for them.  Not liking to back down from a challenge we took on the task and created some excellent and unique signs.  Word of mouth still is a mighty tool in the marketing world and soon we had other local businesses in our area reach out to us and have us make them signs as well.  Metal Signs make such a statement they aren’t often forgotten by those who see them.  They are really a work of art.

Even though we are known as Alabama Metal Art we soon started getting inquiries from areas outside the state. To us, this was quite exciting as our products were soon stretching beyond our tight borders. Significant sign orders arrived from California to Wisconsin, to Oklahoma to New York.  Soon we began tracking which states we had not sent one of our metal art pieces to.  Two years ago we hit state number forty-eight.  With a mission statement to supply the top product and excellent customer service, we hope this trend continues on and on.

Another fun part of our business making signs is we reach across a variety of companies.  Salons, SPA’s, restaurants, doctors, dentists, accountants, universities, lawyers, and chiropractors to name a few.  Our signs are developed for interior and exterior environments. With a diverse customer base, we never lose our desire to “Avoid the Ordinary” in our creations.

 

Our Journey Continues Forward

So even though we are a somewhat small business we have come a long way since our inception. We look at each new order with a determination to wow our customer. We continue to be motivated to improve our designs and processes. Most of all we are determined to be the best at what we do.  Take time to look through our website, we would love to add you to our family of customers. You will find us eager to make a great lasting impression. Alabama Metal Art.

 

 

Hospitality

As our business at Alabama Metal Art evolves a new term has become familiar to us. It is hospitality art. Over the years our products have gone out to hotels, restaurants and medical facilities throughout the Unites States. At first, we considered our products “wall art” and didn’t equate them to the word hospitality art.  Which is now an emerging word in the industry.

To me hospitality refers to the friendly welcoming of guests and/or strangers. When hospitality is merged with art I feel the same welcoming connection should occur.  I look to see does the art piece make one feel comfortable or happy?  Does it evoke a hospitable response?  The art piece can be simple or very complex. The buzz is that it must be unique.

Being an employee of a metal art company, I must broaden my thoughts to go beyond metal regarding hospitality art.  Scrubbing the internet, I find many different medias are used in this world of hospitality art.  Featured art has stretched beyond framed work on walls. Today you will find decorative wooden panels, three dimensional pictures, split images, wall sculptures, custom wallpapers, naturescapes, paper configurations, glassworks, and wood art.  There seem to be no limits.  What counts is creativity.  Making that connection.

Be Unique

By incorporating distinctive art into their property, the hotel or business owner enhances the feeling and décor of their establishment. This is occurring in hotels, restaurants, healthcare facilities and corporate offices. In a sense, the feeling of a small art gallery is being created in these locations. If done correctly this will draw future business as a guest or client will remember their experience. Then pass the recommendation or a compliment via word of mouth.  Personal recommendations are one the best marketing successes.

In today’s world travelers are driven by seeing or learning something new, they want an experience. This is true with the merging travelers, the Millennials. Currently, Millennials make up 33% of all travelers. To capture the business of this group hotels have started incorporating unique art pieces into their lobbies and guest rooms to satisfy the curious nature of the Millennial.

Also, many people travel for business. A hotel guest room must be more than just a room, it must become a place of rest. After spending days in meetings or conferences, the traveler needs to escape, to relax. By incorporating hospitality art into a facility, the establishment is creating an experience. The art on the wall is no longer just a decoration but an opportunity to draw the guest in. Whether to provoke thought or teach something new the role of art in the hospitality industry has expanded.

Keeping in Step

As we grow and stretch in our business we want to be in tune with trends within the industry.  We are fortunate to work with several designers that have increased our exposure in the hospitality art field.  The more complex the challenge the more we enjoy the project.  Our mission is to stay competitive and current in this field of hospitality art.  Our mantra of “Avoid the Ordinary” is what we want to be. Check out some of the projects on our Hospitality webpage.