Squeezy Carwrap Workshop – Sept. 6
The 3M sponsored Carwrap training at Squeezy on Sept. 6 was a big success. We have now paired the workshop down to two trainers for 10 people which creates a great flow throughout the day. All the participants were very active and kept on practicing the techniques until they got them right. Workshops can be very hit or miss this way so its always refreshing to get an eager group. As per usual, Ruben van Raam was spot on with his theory training. Herman and I then talked about recessed areas and how to approach them with different media - in this case it was IJ380 and 85 series. After lunch Herman talked about cleaning, hardware removals and planning then I did a Speedwrap demo by wrapping the side of a car. After this, people worked on cutting and installation techniques upstairs while I took different groups downstairs to show how to wrap difficult bumpers - always the thing people want to see most and, why not? Bumpers are not easy unless a couple of tricks are learned. Thanks always to Niels Langedijk for setting up the trainings at Squeezy. The next one is in a week - Basic training. For the full schedule go to: www.squeezy.nl.
Video from Speedwrapping
This video clip someone posted is of me and Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, wrapping a Prius from start to finish in 1 hour 29 min in the Mutoh booth for last years ISA sign show in Vegas. We used 3m IJ180 comply, the wrap was designed by Carwraps and it was printed by a Mutoh Valuejet. This was my first sign show and now that I have few under my belt I have to chuckle when I think of how nervous I was.
http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=RnppQXFRcWuRpUUVWUDA&speedwrapping-mutoh-booth-in-vegas
Squeezy workshop a success
The pilot training session for Squeezy's new 3M sponsored carwrap training took place today. 7 attendees participated in the training which focused on 3M IJ380 and 85 films. Squeezy's training facility is first rate with a dedicated training room that includes a wide array of mounted doors. This is for focusing on the more complex aspects of applications like compound curves and deep recessed areas. In their main installation space there are two vehicles that serve as practice for learning the general story of car wrapping. Niels Langedijk, owner of Squeezy, has really gone out of his way to make this a first rate program. I am very happy to be a part of this new endeavor as it has the potential to set the quality standard for car wrapping and paint replacement. A special thanks to Ruben van Raam of 3M for helping with this project and for instructors Sandra and Herman for being so damn cool.
New training center
After months of preparation, the Squeezy training center in the Netherlands is ready to begin offering 3 levels of workshops. The workshops are sponsored by 3M featuring IJ380 and 85 series paint replacement film. The three levels of workshops are: basic application, car wrapping and paint replacement. Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, has spearheaded the training program and has created a beautiful training facility in their new building located in Zwaag (1/2 hour north of Amsterdam). I will be the lead installer for the car wrap workshop which will feature UGIS: Universal Graphic Installation System. The first workshop, which starts this Tuesday, May 4 sold out along with the other 2 scheduled courses so more dates are being added shortly. I will post those dates as soon as I get them. I am very excited about these new workshops at Squeezy. I think that with the quality of the facility and vision of the program it will help set a standard for the industry that will help bolster it for long-term profitability.
C’est bon
This is a job I recently did for Squeezy here in the Netherlands for the Amsterdam Citroen dealership. This job took over 2-days to install and used Mactac window perforation. When I first started the job I thought it was going to go down in just over a day yet, with having to move the lift every four panels, wind and obstructions, it took 2 1/2 full days of hard work. As much as I love wrapping cars, I really love these kind of big jobs because they look so spectacular when done (also - they are flat and easy to install). Thanks as always to Niels Langedijk and Squeezy for the work.
Workshop – Brussels
On Nov. 19 and 20, I will be teaching a workshop in Brussels with Niels Langedijk and Sandra Schreuder, both of Squeezy, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands. The class will be held at 3M Belgium in Brussels. The class has 36 participants, much larger than expected. The two day workshop will focus on 3M's 85 series and IJ380 films. This is always one of my favorite workshops to do, mainly because I get a chance to eat some of Belgium's famous french fries. Pics will be in the follow up blog to the workshop.
SEMA – Great way to end the year
SEMA 2009 just came to a close and what a great show. Since it was a car show I didn't know what kind of response people would have to my demos and the Carwraps Business Builder that Mutoh launched at this show. To my very pleasant surprise it was the best show of the year both in the size of the crowds and how people really get the program and are excited by it. I did my 2 demos a day with the help of Sandra Schreuder, one of my favorite installers who was in town from the Netherlands. She came here with her boyfriend, Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands. For the demos I used Oracal film that was printed on a Valuejet. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, would take over the mic when Sandra and I would wrap the passenger side. Todd LaBrie would explain in detail about the Carwraps Business Builder that now comes free with a Mutoh printer. Essentially it is: for one year, any new Mutoh customer gets access to the HD installation videos I created, Todd LaBrie's design videos, discount for hands-on training and then, after a testing period, the printers/installers get listed on Carwraps which is America's #1 website. This will generate leads for the customers. This separates Mutoh from every other printer out there in that their customers get a great printer, they will learn how to design/install and get leads. A business in a box. Cool stuff.
I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight and tomorrow then flying to Sign Warehouse for the sold out hands-on workshop which is sponsored by Mutoh and Avery. After all the hardwork this year, its nice to see things start to really come together. Viva Las Vegas.
Getting ready for SEMA and the Sign Warehouse workshop
I'm getting everything ready for my next trip to the States. From Nov.3-6 I will be doing demos for Mutoh at the SEMA show, the world's largest car show. In the booth I will be wrapping either a race car or a Ford Mustang with Oracal film. Joining me for a few days in the booth will be Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands. Sandra Schreuder, Niels' girlfriend, will also be helping out. She's one of the best installers I know so having both of them there will be super cool. They will have lots of tricks to show. After Vegas I will fly to Texas for the workshop at Sign Warehouse from Nov. 9-11. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, will teach design for the first day and I will teach installation for the remaining 2 days. The class sold out very quickly which is a great way to end the last workshop of the year. Mutoh is finalizing the schedule for next year so I'll post it as soon as it comes out.
Workshop for 3M Belgium
I did a workshop for 3M Belgium on September 4 in Brussels at their headquarters. The focus of the workshop was to teach the 20 partipants how to apply 3M's 85 series paint replacement film and IJ380. The morning session focused on tools, cleaning, hardware removals and installation techniques and the afternoon session was hands-on.
Everyone was eager to learn and the facility and support from 3M Belgium was great so it turned out to be a very successful workshop. A meeting is planned with Kris Nuyts from 3M Belgium and Niels Langedijk from Squeezy to plan more workshops.
ISA Sign Show – Las Vegas
Mutoh Demo
From April 16-18, Justin did demonstrations in the Mutoh booth at the ISA sign show in Las Vegas.
In addition to the demos, Justin, along with Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy Sleeve, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands, wrapped a Toyota Prius in 1 hour, 29 minutes to show the Speedwrapping system in realtime.
Around 200 people crowded around the Mutoh booth to watch while Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps talked about the process along with his new webinars that he is doing with Mutoh in May (www.mutoh.com).