coller industries - Influencing Identity

Name Tag: The Inside Story

At some point in everyone’s life, they end up wearing a name tag.

Most of the time people wear a name tag for employment or during a convention or conference. However, most people never take into consideration what is put into making personal identification.

An excerpt from a Coller Industries employee:

Going on six years at Coller Industries, I have learned so much. The very first thing that was probably learned is how much goes into making personal identification products. From the starting point in customer service, right down to the last step of shipping the product out to the customers, I never realized the attention and detail that has to go into making a quality name tag. So much dedication and work has to go into each product. While many things and processes have changed over the years, the end result has always been the same: quality products at a fair price.

Starting with the training in customer service, it takes months to learn all of the things that a representative needs to know. With all the different products that Coller Industries manufactures and sells, there is not easy path to learn what is needed. Even though it has been six years, I still don’t know everything and have to ask questions frequently. The customer service team all leans on each other to get answers; if someone doesn’t know, someone else probably will.

badge ribbons name badges name tag personal identification

Then there is design. All of the artwork, name lists and other specs have to go through the design team. They have to place the logo and the names on the tags precisely, so that nothing will go wrong during production. They have to have any answers customer service may need, when they want to know if something is or is not possible.

After design comes production, oh yeah! This is where it all comes together. No matter what process is used for a name tag or ribbon, the production team is always working hard to get all orders out in a timely manner. It is high pressure work, but they pull through every time. They strive to make the best quality name tag available.

After they come out of production, our shipping department works just as hard to get the products shipped out on time. They check for flaws and make sure that all name tags match the provided name list, assemble the product with the appropriate fasteners, package them and finally invoice them. They then go through a quality check one final time and then the package is sealed and shipped out.

We have a great team company wide, and together, we all make that happen. I am proud to be a part of it. Bigger and better things await this company. No matter what department anyone is working in, we all strive to do the best job we know how to do. The thing that will always remain the same is the never ending aim to improve on the things that we are doing, no matter what those things might be.

Donations: Granite Education Foundation

Making students a priority; from our community to you, donations create unity.

Helping out our local community is a large part of what defines the generosity of Coller Industries Incorporated. We like to highlight each company that we donate to throughout the year. Each of these donations are typically personal identification related, such as name tags or award ribbons. This donation, however, is of a different nature.

Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, said, “It makes us more responsible in the community. Hopefully our customers appreciate when they see that we give (donations) to our (neighbors).”

Coller Industries also donated metal name tags for the committee members to wear during the event. These laser engraved name tags were easy to use with the magnetic fasteners.

The Granite Education Foundation, Making A Difference
Whether it’s in your own school community or a neighboring Granite District School, we believe there is nothing more important than improving a student’s life. We strive to lift lives and assist in providing resources to bolster education by uniting individuals, organizations and the business community with the will, passion, expertise and resources needed to solve problems. We are dedicated to giving Granite District students a hand up. That’s a difference you can count on.

So, what is the Excel Award?
The Granite Education Foundation recognizes and honors superior educators, true classroom heroes, the men and women responsible for molding and preparing our children to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. These individuals have a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies and making a difference in the lives of students. These educators are among a select few highlighted annually as Excel Outstanding Educators who are making a difference in Granite School District classrooms.

Although thousands of nominations were submitted for the Excel Award, only 11 recipients were chosen by the Excel Committee and being recognized for their service in education.

Tanja Roller – First Grade, Oakwood Elementary
Danny Stirland – Principal, Granite Park Jr. High
Erin Madrigal – Sixth Grade, Rolling Meadows Elementary
Jessica Sellers – Fifth Grade, Westbrook Elementary
Jody Lynn Tolley – American Sign Language, Skyline High School
Stacie Shields – Reading Specialist, Truman Elementary
Todd Summerhays – Mathematics, Olympus High School
Garett York – Sixth Grade, Cottonwood Elementary
Lisa Foster – Resource, Wasatch Jr. High
Monica Marsing – Sixth Grade, Armstrong Academy
Michele Stillman Gaetz – Second Grade, Whittier Elementary

On April 22, Coller Industries was invited by Granite Education Foundation to attend this year’s Excel Evening of Honors. This evening is a special celebration of the Excel Award Winners. This year 11 individuals were honored for their outstanding achievements as professional educators.

As Coller Industries makes generous donations each year to the foundation, we were able to attend this gala not only as distinguished guests but also as an award presenter. We were able acknowledge Lisa Foster!

“Lisa Foster, a resource teacher at Wasatch Junior High School, knows that children are not numbers or data points, but intricate human beings who deserve to be treated as such. Lisa makes her classroom a safe place for children where they are comfortable and feel they can take educational risks. She knows her students, their families, their friends and what they go through outside of school and in the hallways.”

“Mrs. Foster has helped me through a lot and is patient, funny and always willing to help.” -Student

“This is my third year presenting one of the awards. It’s such an honor to be able to recognize one of Utah’s great educators,” said Gary Coller.

Teachers were requested to join a presenter on stage to receive their award, a $1,000 check and other generous gifts. Each Excel Award recipient received a sculpture, designed by local Utah sculptor Matt Glenn. This sculpture comes in two parts. The bottom portion has the four Granite Education Foundation hand icons from their logo. Each hand symbolized educate, give, volunteer and advocate. The top portion is a student’s hand reaching for a teacher’s hand. This piece can be removed and turned over so that the teacher’s hand is extending up toward the student’s hand.

Coller Industries Incorporated started giving donations to the Granite Education Foundation in 2009 and to day has donated over $37,000. We are happy to continue our annual support of this wonderful foundation. And as employees here at Coller Industries, it is a pleasure knowing that our employer is this generous with their time and money.

Donations: Cornerstone Assembly

Giving donations is part of who we are.

Coller Industries enjoys giving back to our surrounding communities, and part of this process is providing donations to companies and organizations that need personal identification products for their business or other needs. The most recent of these donations was given to Cornerstone Assembly of God in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

“Here at Cornerstone we feel God has called us to help people become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what your background is, what you struggle with or what hand life has dealt you; God has a plan for your life,” said Pastor Steve, Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Assembly.

“We encourage our congregation to not confine their God experience to the church building, but rather to experience God in the real world,” Shaun Hughes, Creative Arts Pastor at Cornerstone Assembly of God stated.

Cornerstone Assembly’s mission statement is “Empowering people to experience God in the real world.” Their aim is to impact their community with the gospel and love of Christ through their words and their actions. Their core values are joy, transparency and generosity and they accomplish this by being “real, relevant and rational.”

Cornerstone Assembly received donations of full color name tags with a dome finish and magnetic fasteners. Full color name tags are available as a digitally printed plastic tag. The thermal transfer printing process captures logos and images in crisp, bright full colors. The printing can also extend off the edge (bleed) and all text can be printed in any color.

“I can’t describe how much one simple little thing like name badges has really impacted our people. The volunteers LOVE them; the look, the feel, the ease of use. It has been a physical symbol of the unity they feel working together as a team greeting our guests and congregation members each and every week,” said Hughes.

“Our pastor commented that it was the most professional looking item we’ve ever ordered!” Hughes exclaimed. “These (name) tags will help identify our greeters and hospitality team to our first time guests. They will lend a polished, professional look to our hospitality team. The domed plastic ensures that the name tags will endure long term and still look fantastic.”

Giving Back: Name Tag Edition

Giving back is what it’s all about!

From giving time and money to those in need, each year Coller Industries strives to give back to our local community. And, each year, we like to show the appreciation we receive for these generous gifts. It’s like a thank you for a thank you!

Annual Donation: Granite Education Foundation (from Name Tag Experience 12/15/15)

Every year Coller Industries makes an effort to recognize its employees during the holiday season. Part of this recognition tends to extend into the surrounding community. And, in turn, this translates to donations to various parts of our community. For the past six years, Clyde and Gary Coller, the CEO and President, respectively, of Coller Industries Incorporated have generously donated monetary benefits to The Granite Education Foundation.

“It makes us more responsible in the community,” said Gary Coller. “Hopefully our customers appreciate when they see that we give back to our own community.”

Coller Industries Incorporated started donating to the GEF in 2009 and to day has donated over $37,000. We are happy to continue our annual support of this wonderful foundation. And as employees here at Coller Industries, it is a pleasure knowing that our employer is so generous with their time and money.

The Granite Education Foundation provides educational opportunities for Granite School District students. They educate students, teachers and members of our community on positive ways to impact the community.

The Granite Education Foundation has kindly supported our business by giving us these wonderful notes and thank yous. And now here they are for you, as our reader, to enjoy!

valentines from the granite education foundation giving back to our community

Included with thank yous from students and parents was a wonderful letter from the Foundation:

“This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District wanted to express our heart-felt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind.

In our opinion, YOU’RE AWESOME SAUCE, Valentine! Thanks for believing in our mission and for the extra boost you give students. We couldn’t accomplish what we do without YOU. You are O-‘FISH’-ally our favorite!”

Things To Consider: Name Tags

Does anyone ever really consider what it takes to produce that name tag they are wearing?

When considering a name tag the first thing that usually comes to mind is typically the name that appears on it. However, there is so much more to consider when looking at name tags.

An excerpt from a Coller Industries employee:

Name Tag, Inc. opened my eyes to what really goes into producing a name tag. When wearing a name tag one never really thinks about all the work, the people involved or machines used to make it. When first looking at a name tag the color, the person’s name and title, and the logo are what really stand out. Not much else is really considered.

As part of customer service, my view has definitely changed on what goes into making a name tag and the process behind the scenes. A lot goes into setting up orders, sending out proofs and working with design worksheets. There are so many colors and materials and different ways to put a name tag together. This may sound weird, but I feel like I help make name tag dreams come true.

Orders start with an internet order or a phone call. Once the specifics are laid out by the customer, the design team goes to work. Sometimes a customer has an image from the online design tool which provides a more visual picture of the “dream,” and sometimes only simple instructions like size, color and logo placement are included as instructions. Whatever the case, all customers end up with a PDF proof showing them what the name tags will look like.

consider using classy name tag frames - small, medium and large

consider adding an epoxy dome to name tags both plastic and metal

Once a proof is seen, all the extras and smaller details begin to take shape. Many customers have questions at this point, such as the tag size, the option of an epoxy dome, or adding a name tag frame. All these options come highly recommended, and while they do add a minor cost to the name tag purchase, the end results are worth it.

Once the proof has been approved by the customer, the order is sent to a quality checker to make sure that all the order information is correct and consistent. Then, when the order passes this check, the production team takes over. There are various machines that make different name tags. Laser engravers are used on both plastic and metal materials to cut and engrave names, titles and logos. There is also a full color print machine that prints in vibrant colors. Each name tag is carefully completed according to the specifications that were check and rechecked in customer service.

Part of production is assembly of the product. Fasteners, such as magnets, are affixed to the name tag. Before any name tag is shipped, two more quality control people review the order again. Once this is complete, the package is sealed and given to a trusty UPS driver who then gets them delivered directly to the customer.

Now that’s a lot to think about and consider when looking at a name tag! So, the next time you see a name tag, I hope that you can take a moment to reflect about all the hands and time (and care) that went into its production.