FlexPost, Inc.

Holland,  MI 
United States
http://www.flexpostinc.com/nrf

• Booth: 1461

With an average of 23,000 patrons walking through the door of a large supercenter per day, it is not hard to imagine the peril, potential accidents, property damage, and damage to customer vehicles. While the convergence of traffic proximal to the front door of major retail organizations is certainly good for business, the number of car/signpost collisions has skyrocketed by nearly 375%. Read our Retail Case Study here: flexpostinc.com/blog

FlexPost® is here to help you manage traffic and keep people safe as you prepare for curbside pickup, ADA parking, and other reserved parking spaces. We manufacture parking lot flexible signpost and bollard systems that save retailers and other types of facilities thousands, and even millions, of dollars annually in signpost replacement costs, while improving the customer experience.

Our products meet ADA height regulations and withstand vehicle impacts by remaining flexible and durable over repeated hits, while minimizing damage to parking lots and vehicles. We also offer custom branding options to include logos and match color schemes.

 Show Specials

• Let's Arrange a FlexPost Sampling for Your Parking Lot(s) - Comp Product Provided (Nov 28, 2022)

  If you're not already utilizing FlexPost in all of your parking lots, we would like to work with you on a regional or national level - to sample one or more of our signpost and bollard systems in the lot(s) of your choice - free of charge. 

  We believe that FlexPost can be a fundamental component to your customers’ experience when visiting your establishments. And, after installing our products in their parking lots, our varied industry partners tend to agree.

  FlexPost signpost and bollard systems meet ADA height regulations and withstand vehicle impacts by remaining flexible and durable over repeated impacts, while saving money by minimizing damage to parking lots and vehicles.

  Our products are designed to be surface-mounted, so installation can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less - with no special tools required.

  In addition, we offer customized post/bollard heights as well as branding options to include your organization’s logo and match your color scheme.

  Plus, we work to minimize product lead times by keeping items in stock and ready to ship.

  Stop by Booth 1461 to see FlexPost in action – or reach out to us before the show to discuss the ideal scenario for your organization.

  Email us at sales@flexpost.net and reference the NRF FlexPost Show Special.

 Press Releases

• Top 10 Considerations When Designing Your Curbside Pickup Program (Oct 04, 2022)

  

  Signage design and implementation are important factors in ensuring a positive customer experience.

  And now, more than ever, the customer experience begins in the parking lot!

  The purpose of this blog is to provide an overview of the most important considerations (listed in no particular order) when designing your curbside pickup program, whether it’s for a supermarket, retail store, restaurant, healthcare facility, or other type of heavily traversed parking lot.

  LOCATION

  One of the first considerations for curbside pickup is where to position the bollard/signpost, and the optimum direction the signs should be facing for curbside pickup customers. For example, Angle Parking is considered the most common configuration for parking lots and has the advantage of allowing for double-sided signage. That is, a second sign can be mounted back-to-back on the signpost using double-sided sign brackets. This creates efficiencies as one bollard/signpost can be utilized for two parking spaces. Read our “Curbside Pickup Signpost Placement Guide” blog posting to learn more about this topic.

  Another consideration is the location of the service door and the delivery path for taking purchased products out to vehicles. Delivery personnel must be kept safe, while at the same time focusing on expediting orders and efficiency. Travel time both out, and then back into the building should be minimized, as well time spent in the path of traffic. This includes cars that are backing out of spaces where driver visibility is limited.

  Pedestrian foot traffic considerations are also important. Access in the form of walkways should lead customers safely from the parking lot to the front of the building , but not cross into curbside pickup parking and delivery activities.

  

  TRAFFIC FLOW PATTERNS

  How vehicles enter your parking lot, move in and out of parking spaces, and ultimately exit, can become greatly magnified as volume of traffic increases. What seems like a minor issue can become a much bigger problem during peak hours, especially when cars are backing out of spaces with other vehicles also backing out in the row behind them. Angle parking can also help with these blind spots, and has become a popular retail parking lot layout. However, all aspects of the property must be taken into consideration.

  DEDICATED PARKING SPOTS FOR CUSTOMERS

  Having dedicated parking spaces for curbside pickup customers may seem like a no-brainer. However, striking a balance between curbside spaces and other types of parking spots is something to consider for customers visiting your store. That is, it must also be convenient for customers parking and actually entering your store to find a spot and then make the trek to the entrance. Maintaining the proper number of ADA spaces is also an important part of maintaining ADA compliance.

  

  DEDICATED PARKING SPOTS FOR PERSONAL SHOPPERS

  In addition to maintaining dedicated parking spaces for curbside pickup customers, in a supermarket situation, it is also important to consider where your personal shoppers may be parking. Again, this is where balance comes into play, as there are multiple types of visitors to your grocery store, all of which play an important role in the daily operations. You want to ensure that each respective group is accounted for, and has a place to park with the proper accommodations. Many details that seem small at first can add up quickly to create an overall impression of your store in the mind of the customer. And, of course, you want this impression to be positive.

  SIGNAGE THAT CLEARLY COMMUNICATES/ORIENTS/DIRECTS

  A recent BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In-Store) research study conducted by Bell and Howell and Intel found that 86% of customers stated that signs outside directing customers to the curbside pickup area are important, and 85% said it is important that the curbside pickup location is visible when driving into the parking lot. Similarly, almost half said they found the curbside pickup window because there were signs directing them.

  Based on the results of this study, it is important to not only designate specific parking spaces for curbside pickup, but also direct customers using signage to the curbside pickup area upon entering the lot. This is especially important if curbside pickup service is new to the store and customers are not yet familiar with the process.

  FlexPost offers signpost/bollard products that can be utilized both in parking spaces (installed in asphalt or concrete with supplied hardware) and near the entrance(s) to the parking lot (installed into landscaping using a natural ground spike). The option to mount into different types of parking lot surfaces allows for a variety of wayfinding signs to be employed. This helps orient customers and increases safety, while at the same time improving on the customer experience.

  

  BRANDING

  In addition to clearly communicating instructions, signage should also incorporate store/corporate branding elements, which provides for a consistent look and feel between in-store, website/app, and the parking lot. This can be accomplished using a second sign on the same post, or one sign that accomplishes both objectives. Fortunately, signs can be customized to include just about any type of artwork or messaging, as well as multiple sizes and shapes. Bollards are also available in a variety of standard colors, and pantone (PMS) chips can be matched for a custom color. Die-cut decals can also be designed and adhered to bollards for additional customization.

  Our FlexPost® product configurator serves as an idea starter, and allows you to customize your signpost/bollard around five different variables to help you visualize your project. Click on the image below for a test-drive. Once you’ve configured your post, you can simply click a button to download your customized image as a .png file to easily share with your team over email.

  

  EASE OF INSTALLATION

  Core-drilled bollards have their place in protecting a storefront, utility boxes, gas station pumps, etc. However, because they do not flex, they are not the ideal solution for parking space signage – as damage can be caused to both the customer’s vehicle and the parking lot upon impact. Also, the installation of a concrete-encased core-drilled bollard involves heavy equipment, the mixing of concrete, several hours of labor, and oftentimes cordoning off the parking lot.

  FlexPost® offers a flexible bollard solution that not only saves money by eliminating damage to the parking lot and customers’ vehicles, but also makes installation a snap. In fact, most of our customers have installed our FlexBollard-XL™ with Signpost in less than 30 minutes, with no special tools or bulky equipment needed. Simply drill four holes and bolt down – all hardware, sign brackets, and installation instructions are included in the box. In the event that the parking lot needs to be reconfigured, simply take out the four bolts to remove the bollard. Then, either replace the bolts in the empty holes, or fill them in.

  

  FlexPost can also scale up with your program. Adding posts is easy with our fast lead times and large inventory of products. Some customers run curbside programs with just two posts, while others choose to have more reserved spaces. With the simplicity of installation and minimal disruption to the parking lot, FlexPost provides the ideal solution for creating additional parking spaces.

  CLEARANCE FROM LANDLORD – PERMITTING, PERMISSION, ETC.

  An important factor that is not always considered during the early stages of planning resides in the fact that many buildings/parking lots are actually part of leased property, and can require permissions for even minor construction or improvements. This is where a quick and simple installation can also be beneficial. That is, drilling 4 holes into asphalt or concrete (that can be filled in later if need be) can be a much easier sell to a landlord for approval than the major undertaking of installing or replacing a concrete-encased core-drilled bollard.

  DURABILITY

  When considering curbside signage solutions , it’s important to look at signposts/bollards that are designed to withstand the rigors of a busy parking lot. FlexPost manufactures a heavy-duty XL line designed for frequent impacts from vehicles which includes flexible signposts, bollards and bollards with signposts. Our rugged steel XL base is galvanized for durability and utilizes concealed spring technology to protect from weathering. The stability of our XL base allows for the signpost to hold either standard or large regulatory signs, and can stand up to windy conditions.

  

  We consider our XL base to be a semi-permanent to permanent solution for curbside pickup, ADA, and other reserved spaces. That is, even though installation can take less than 30 minutes, this heavy-duty base is designed to withstand repeated hits over the course of several years. Contrast this to a mobile/portable base, which may need to be reset after being struck by a vehicle, and are better utilized in applications where the ability to quickly reconfigure a parking lot is important. Examples of this can include: designated temporary parking, parking lot is full, no parking, and other quick-change or rapid-deploy applications.

  COST SAVINGS

  Damage to the parking lot can be costly. As of 2019, an average retail organization would replace 2-3 signs and posts per year, both in the ADA handicapped and curbside pickup aisle, with an average cost of $900 +/- per required repair. Now that retailers are adding multiple signs/posts to their already crowded and confused lots, the vehicle to signpost accidents are escalating. Read more in our retail case study.

  Let us know how we can help!

  Check out our index of additional blog articles for more info as you develop your curbside program, and if you have questions, contact us and let us know how we can help!

• FlexPost® Offers Sustainable Solutions for Parking Lot Signposts (Oct 04, 2022)

  

  Sustainability is important to FlexPost®

  Our customers have told us they prefer to buy green products and services. We share similar environmental beliefs as our customers, and seek to use more sustainable design, materials, and packaging for our products – to ensure future generation’s access to natural resources.

  First and foremost, FlexPost products are designed to flex when they are impacted, which eliminates damage to the sign, parking lot surface, and the vehicle. The flexible design in itself provides a pathway to sustainability in the fact that a broken signpost does not need to be replaced, heavy equipment does not need to be brought in to extract and replace a core-drilled concrete bollard/signpost, and a bumper does not need to be replaced.

  This reduces the burning of fossil fuels, keeps difficult to recycle materials (such as concrete) out of the landfill, and helps eliminate waste in manufacturing and materials. (Not to mention the headaches and stress experienced by the customer whose vehicle has become damaged).

  In addition to the inherent environmental benefits gained from not needing to replace a signpost every time it is struck by a vehicle, and a better customer experience, there are other aspects of the FlexPost sustainability story to consider as well.

  Made in the U.S.A. / Made in Michigan

  FlexPost signpost and bollard products are manufactured in the U.S.A., in the lakeshore city of Holland, Michigan. By keeping our manufacturing close to home, we are also able to hire locally to help maintain and build our West Michigan economy.

  

  Components are Sourced Locally

  We work with local and Mid-West suppliers that share our environmental goals. (The majority of our supplier/partners are located in Michigan). By sourcing our inputs locally, we are able to effectively shorten the supply chain, minimize transportation emissions and costs, and help grow our West Michigan/Mid-West economy. Each of our hand-picked suppliers is also doing their part for sustainable operations:

  -Master Halco – Westland, MI Branch

  (Galvanized steel posts)

  -Marik Spring Inc. – Tallmadge, OH

  (Standard and XL springs)

  -Techno-Coat Inc. – Holland, MI

  (Powder-coating of the Standard base, Standard spring, and natural ground mounting spike)

  Techno-Coat has been an advocate for sustainability by their practices of regularly recycling cardboard, paper and batteries. The company’s IT Department also collects electronics for recycling. Additional environmental efforts include a Team Earth group which conducts voluntary clean-ups, Earth Day celebrations, Plant-A-Tree giveaways, and Adopt-A-Highway initiatives.

  -Agritek Industries, Inc. – Holland, MI

  (Stamping and machining of the Standard and XL bases)

  Chart House Energy, LLC, a business incubator at Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), built a 525Kw solar energy system next to Agritek’s building, resulting in West Michigan’s largest non-utility solar project. This solar field includes 3,740 thin-film solar frameless modules, providing one-third of Agritek’s total annual power usage. Agritek and Chart House Energy also worked together to develop and implement an innovative tilt-able racking system, designed to increase solar power output performance by 15-20%.

  

  Products are Renewable

  FlexPost products incorporate a simple, modular steel design which reduces the amount of material needed for manufacturing. Our products are made from materials that can be, or already have been, recycled or reclaimed.

  For example, our signposts and XL base is made of galvanized steel, which can be recycled in much the same way as any other steel products. When it is recycled in an electric arc furnace, or EAF, the zinc in the steel volatilizes and is collected and returned to zinc production. (Source: redsteelmh.com/recycling-zinc-and-galvanized-steel).

  

  Packaging and Shipping Materials are Minimalistic

  FlexPost mainly utilizes corrugated materials for packaging and shipping, and corrugated packaging boasts an extraordinary success story. Corrugated “cardboard” is recycled more than any other packaging in the U.S. today. Recycling corrugated packaging decreases solid waste disposal. Collected fiber is then reused to make new corrugated packaging, allowing for  the use of less new raw material. (Source: corrugated.com/recycling).

  

  Products are Built to Last

  FlexPost products are durable and remain in parking lots for a long time, resulting in less waste and significant cost savings.

  Our XL base has undergone rigorous impact testing, in which the XL spring was subjected to over 1,000 impacts. This test was designed to imitate vehicle bumpers hitting a FlexPost over and over again in a busy parking lot.

  

  Longevity becomes a major factor when the the product and installation costs of non-flexible parking lot signposts is considered. For example, while the average price of a concrete pyramid base is around $200/each, the cost to transport and install that sign base can reach $475 when the price of shipping and delivery are considered.

  Rigid (concrete core-drilled) bollards have also been a popular solution for use in retail lots. Among the limitations associated with a core-drilled bollard are the complexity of installation which involves the use of large equipment, concrete trucks, multiple skilled laborers, and the cordoning off of areas of the parking lot. The result is a disruption of traffic flows and a messy clean up after installation.

  Cost Savings in Installation and Repair/Replacement

  A major limiting factor of rigid/core-drilled bollard posts is the cost associated with the initial installation and repair upon impact. A broad survey among major retail organizations revealed that the price per installation/repair/replacement of a rigid bollard/signpost averages around $900.00/each.

  

  The unsightly appearance of bent parking lot signage detracts from the appearance of the store and creates an impression of disrepair. Even a minor collision with a rigid bollard can cause damage to the signpost, the automobile’s bumper, and the parking lot surface. The net result is a customer who will likely not shop that store on the day of the impact, a costly repair to the patron’s vehicle, and possible litigation to the property owner or management company.

  

  More recently, the invention and refinement of flexible spring-loaded bollards and signposts with bollard covers (as offered by FlexPost) have been widely used to mitigate the ongoing problem of repairing signposts and bollards in busy parking areas. This flexible solution also requires minimal maintenance, lending to greater sustainability.

  Read our Full Case Study to learn more.

  

  Interested in learning more about sustainable solutions for parking lot signposts and bollards?

  Contact FlexPost today.

• Signpost Installation: Tenant Talking Points for Commercial Property Landlords (Oct 04, 2022)
  

  One of the challenges we hear about from retail, restaurant, and other facilities maintenance professionals that reside on leased commercial property is in the process of obtaining landlord permission for installing signposts in their respective parking lots.

  One of the main objections from landlords on the installation of signposts is due to the intensive drilling required for the installation of concrete-encased core-drilled bollards. Core-drilled bollards involve heavy equipment, the mixing of concrete, several hours of labor, and oftentimes, cordoning off the parking lot and limiting access to the shopping center.

  FlexPost® offers a flexible bollard/signpost solution that not only saves money by eliminating damage to the parking lot and to customers’ vehicles, but also makes installation easy. In fact, most installations of our FlexBollard-XL™ with Sign Post take less than 30 minutes, with no special tools or heavy equipment needed.

  

  Simply drill four holes and bolt down – all hardware, sign brackets, and installation instructions are included in the box. In the event that the parking lot needs to be reconfigured, simply take out the four bolts to remove the bollard. Then, either replace the bolts in the empty holes, or fill them in for a cleaner look.

  Core-drilled bollards have their place in protecting a storefront, utility boxes, gas station pumps, etc. However, because they do not flex, they are not the ideal solution for parking space signage – as damage can be caused to both the customer’s vehicle and the parking lot upon impact.

  In addition, damage to the parking lot can be costly to the business/property owner. As of 2019, an average retail organization would replace 2-3 signs and posts per year, both in the ADA and Curbside Pickup aisle, with an average cost of $900 +/- per required repair. Now that retailers are adding multiple signs/posts to their already crowded and confused lots, vehicle/post accidents are escalating. Read more in our retail case study.

  

  Our heavy-duty XL base can be easily installed in a few simple steps by drilling four small holes on the parking lot surface, and using the included anchoring hardware for either concrete or asphalt. FlexPost also offers a ground spike for landscaping beds/natural ground, and adhesive for use in parking garages. If any form of drilling in the parking lot is strictly prohibited, FlexPost can provide signpost solutions with a portable base.

  Watch our video to see the quick and easy installation of the FlexPost-XL™ base using Heavy-Duty Asphalt (HDAA) anchoring hardware.

  Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your next bollard/signpost installation project easy, and save you and your landlord time and money on repair and maintenance costs. Also, try out our Configurator tool to visualize how our FlexPost-XL or FlexBollard-XL with Sign Post could look it your parking lot.

• Case Study: An Evaluation of Flexible Bollard/Signposts for Use in Major Retail Organizations (Oct 04, 2022)
  

  DENNIS M. THIMM, MS. CMR, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, FLEXPOST, INC.

  ABSTRACT:
  The challenge of directing and orienting traffic into parking spaces has become a major problem among retail organizations nation-wide. The data gathered in this paper will examine the increased need to orient customers to specific parking spaces, the challenges associated with a convergence of employees and customers into an assigned parking area, and the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of buy online-pick up spaces signage and bollards.

  INTRODUCTION:
  The fast pace of the average American lifestyle, the click and buy deliver next day impulsiveness of the Amazon generation, and a pandemic have conditioned American shoppers into worry and concern over simple tasks such as entering a store. Suddenly, interacting with and around strangers and public spaces seems daunting and the safety of our own cars has become the transaction point at many grocery stores. While countermeasures such as masks and protective barriers appear to be marginally beneficial, the reluctance to enter a store prevails. At the time of this writing, new legislation in California, Michigan and many other states continues to confuse and concern retail shoppers. The trend towards app. driven and buy online and drive up pick up has exploded in the last several months. Retailers and restaurant chains have struggled to orient, educate, and serve their customers in confined areas within their parking lots. Most pick-up areas within large grocery store chains are limited to approximately 2-6 spaces, and typically located within 40 yards from the front egress of the store. With an average of 23,000 patrons walking through the door of a large supercenter per day, it is not hard to imagine the peril, potential accidents, property damage, and damage to customer vehicles. While the convergence of traffic proximal to the front door of major retail organizations is certainly good for business, the number of car sign collisions has skyrocketed by nearly 375%.1

  Collisions involving customers and retail Buy Online, Pickup In-Store (BOPIS) signage within a parking lot has become a major issue causing millions of dollars’ worth of damage per year. As of 2019, an average retail organization would replace approximately 2-3 signs and posts per year, both in the ADA handicapped and BOPIS aisle, with an average cost of $900 +/- per required repair. Now that retailers are adding multiple signs/posts to their already crowded and confused lots, the car/post accidents are escalating. A major international retailer located in the south recently relayed that of the average 9 buy online pick up spaces located at each store, collisions require them to repair and replace 3 of their BOPIS signs and bollards quarterly. When the retailer examined the overall costs of the repairs, 3 posts/signs per quarter multiplied by over 4,500 US stores alone, the staggering costs of the program amounted to approximately $8,400 per store, or a combined loss of revenue of $37,000,000 per year.

  ALTERNATIVES:
  Major retailers utilize a broad range of signposts and bollard products to display necessary signage in their parking lots.

  With each of the alternatives available, there are inherent plusses and minuses, costs, and most importantly, repair costs.

  While the average price of a concrete pyramid base might be $200.00/each, the cost to transport and install that sign base approaches $475.00/ea. when the price of shipping and delivery are considered.

  Rigid bollards with signposts are also a popular solution for use in retail lots. Among the limitations associated with a rigid bollard are the complexity of installation which involves large equipment, concrete trucks, multiple skilled laborers, and the cordoning off large areas of traffic to allow for equipment. The result is a disruption of traffic flows, and a messy clean up after installation.

  A major limiting factor of bollard posts is the cost associated with the initial installation and repair upon impact. A broad survey among major retail organizations revealed that the price per installation of a rigid bollard/signpost is nearly $950.00/each2.

  While rigid bollards withstand impacts up to 10mph, their longevity is greatly limited due to impacts over that speed.

  The unsightly appearance of bent wayfinding signage detracts from the appearance of the store and creates an impression of disrepair. Even a minor collision with a rigid bollard can cause damage to the signpost, the automobile, and the parking surface. The net result is a customer who will likely not shop that store on the day of the impact, a costly repair to the patron’s vehicle, and possible litigation to the property owner or management company. Upon routine impact, the price to make a repair to a rigid bollard is bollard averages $1,250.003 each.

  More recently, the invention and refinement of flexible spring-loaded bollards and signposts with bollard covers have been widely used to mitigate the ongoing problem of repairing signposts and bollards in busy parking areas.

  METHODOLOGY:
  The objective of this study is to better understand the long-term costs of installing and maintaining BOPIS parking spaces program-wide in busy retail settings. Though the purpose of this study is to consider repair costs for pick up spaces, these data would extrapolate to other signage including ADA handicapped spaces, wayfinding signage and stop signs within retail parking lots and structures.

  To establish the mean installation costs associated with signposts, extensive surveys have been conducted within retail organizations. Involved with this project have been several facility maintenance planners, civil engineers and architects.

  It was found that the national average to install one rigid bollard with an 8’ or 9’ signpost is $909.254, n=37 respondents. To establish the mean repair and replacement costs associated with the repair and or replacement of a rigid bollard, extensive surveys have been conducted with both local and regional installers, asphalt contractors, pavers, and maintenance professionals. The mean cost of repairing or replacing a bent bollard or signpost is $1,129.545, n=33 respondents.

  A major retail organization located in Florida commenced a large scale roll out of their buy on-line pick up in store program in 2018. To facilitate rapid installation and minimize disruption to the parking areas, a change was made to the specifications for parking signage, and a custom color, custom sign flexible signpost was chosen over the rigid bollard specification.

  See chart below for costs of the program vs. extrapolated repair costs of using rigid bollards.

  

  DISCUSSION:
  As retailers and restaurants struggle with orienting traffic flows in and out of tight parking lots, many signage and wayfinding alternatives must be employed. The invention and perfection of a flexible signpost and flexible signpost/bollard was necessary to minimize damage to parking lots, cars, and parking structures.

  Early versions of flexible signposts/bollards were tested and proven to be impractical. Early versions were constructed of plastics which did not weather the direct sunlight, cracked in cold temperatures and induced pedestrians to tamper with them. A major undertaking was initiated in 2007 to design a solution with the following characteristics:

  1. Withstand high winds with standard size signage.
  2. Withstand high winds with large regulatory signage.
  3. A full 3600  range of motion to avoid the damage of multidirectional impacts.
  4. Meet failure criteria to provide for the safety cars and pedestrians.
  5. Simple surface anchored installation minimizing the need for disruption of traffic flows in busy parking areas. Installation to be accomplished without pouring a concrete pad or use messy adhesives or epoxies.
  6. A device that could be installed with no special tools, licenses or training by store or maintenance personnel.
  7. Concealed spring to minimize the temptation for pedestrian tampering.
  8. Made in the USA.
  9. A lifetime guarantee against breakage when used in a parking lot under normal circumstances.
  10. Easily customizable heights, colors, and designs to allow for the proper marketing message and signage to be displayed on the product.

  SOLUTION:
  A highly durable, flexible signpost solution began to evolve in 2009 utilizing a simple coiled carbon steel spring. As casting and metal stamping technology improved an innovative design was tested and perfected to meet the failure criteria required for busy institutional parking lots such as major retail, airports, hospitals.

  A novel two piece, 19-pound stamped 7-gauge HRPO steel base was tested, and perfected. The steel base incorporates an industry standard 2 3/8” post. The halves are joined with a ¼” stainless steel cable tested to minimum breaking strength 7,000 lbs., and compress 5/16″ high carbon steel spring. The calculated wind resistance of the FlexPost-XL™ base was surprising, yielding only a few degrees of flexion at 75mph gusts even with large regulatory signage attached. The base and post combination has proven safe and durable for large scale applications. While the conceivable life of a sign base would be approximately 7-8 years, the Flexpost® base is covered with a lifetime guarantee when installed in a parking lot.

  

  Among the variables for considering the lifespan of a parking lot sign system is the overall condition and thickness of the Asphalt substrate. The Bolthold™ Asphalt Anchor family which incorporate zinc coated treaded spikes cemented into asphalt has been used with great success. These anchors have been thoroughly tested and are supplied with each Flexpost-Xli Bollard/Signpost.

  The Bolthold family of anchors tested and selected are known to resist pull out in the following thicknesses of asphalt:

  50mm (2” asphalt thickness) = 1,500 pull force lbs.

  100mm (4” asphalt thickness) = 2,000 pull force lbs.

  1500mm (6” asphalt thickness) = 2,180 pull force lbs.

  CONCLUSION:
  Alternatives to parking lot signage and posts are many, each with their inherent strengths and weaknesses, and each requires maintenance and surveillance.

  While retail organizations struggle to find a cost-effective solution, most fail to calculate the huge costs associated with repair and replacement of rigid bollards and u-channel signposts.

  A retrospective analysis of a stepped installation of 861 FlexPost-XL signposts since 2018 proved a failure rate of 2 units over 25 months, or combined failure rate of .232%. The total cost of the repairs required for the 2 partially damaged posts was a mere $1,012 (p=.003). The amount spent on repair parts in total was less than .225% of the total capital expenditure of the program.

  Compared to a concrete filled parking bollard/signpost at an average cost of $909.25 ea. and with a repair cost of $1,129.54 ea. the Flexible Signpost was not only far less expensive to purchase, required only 25 minutes to install and withstood repeated impacts. The elimination of front-end costs and especially maintenance costs were substantial.

  The average life span of a signpost in a parking lot varies, however an industry norm is to repair or replace 25-30% of a stores rigid bollard annually.

  Costs associated with the installation of the 861 rigid bollards would have been $782,864 for installation. Considering the frequency of damage upon impact, there would have been the need to replace a minimum of 215 posts at a cost of $243,133. The combined cost of the program using rigid bollards would have been $1,025,997. The combined cost of installation and repair of the same program using a Flexpost-XL Bollard/Sign post was proven to be 43% less expensive for this retail chain.

  In addition to the minimum of repair costs, the retailer reported no litigation filed in relation to the impact of a bollard, likely adding to the savings.

  REFERENCES:
  [1] A survey of retail organizations and their reported cost of maintenance, poster-exhibit, National Parking Association, 2019

  [2] [4] DeYoung, John E, Et. Al., A longitudinal survey of asphalt installers and maintenance professionals, National Paving Exposition, 2019

  [3] [5] Thimm, Dennis Et. Al., A survey of asphalt installers and maintenance professionals, white paper, National Paving Expo, 2019

  Interested in learning more about flexible signposts and bollards for your parking lot? Contact FlexPost today!

• FlexPost Saves Retailers Millions in Replacement Costs, While Improving the Customer Experience (Jan 09, 2023)
  

  For Immediate Release – HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, January 6, 2023
   

  FlexPost manufactures flexible signpost and bollard systems for curbside pickup, ADA, EV charging, wayfinding and other reserved parking that can save retailers millions of dollars each year in replacement costs.
  
  FlexPost products feature patented steel spring technology that allows signposts to bend and withstand repeated impacts, minimizing damage to both the parking lot and customers’ vehicles.
  
  Replacing a core-drilled concrete bollard/signpost costs an average of $1,500. Most retail stores are replacing an average of 3 bollards/posts per year, which is about $4,500 per store. Multiply this by an average of 300 stores in a mid-sized retail operation, and this equates to $1,350,000 in avoidable maintenance costs per year. When full parking lot renovations are being completed, the potential savings increase substantially.

   

  Also, since FlexPost products are surface-mounted, most installations take less than 30 minutes, using basic tools. Compare this to the installation of a core-drilled bollard signpost which involves diesel-burning heavy equipment, the mixing of concrete, several hours of labor and cordoning off the parking lot – inhibiting traffic flows and limiting access to the store.

   

  

  While using core-drilled concrete bollard/signposts can result in damage to the parking lot and potential litigation from unhappy customers, FlexPost offers products that not only save money and keep customers happy, but also provide a pathway to sustainability. The burning of fossil fuels by heavy equipment is eliminated, and concrete is kept out of the landfill, reducing waste in manufacturing and materials.

  In addition, bollards can be customized to match virtually any color. Signs can also be custom-designed to include logos and other corporate branding elements.

   

  “A FlexPost will act like a signpost when it needs to, but it is also going to flex when someone’s foot slips off the brake or they aren’t paying attention,” states John DeYoung, FlexPost General Manager. “Instead of the front bumper impacting a concrete-filled pipe, it meets something that gives. The post is OK, the car is OK, the customer is happy their vehicle wasn’t damaged, and the retailer avoids a repair. Everyone has a good day.”
   

    

  

  About FlexPost Inc.

   

  Started in 2006, FlexPost, Inc. (www.flexpostinc.com) helps organizations manage traffic and keep people safe as they prepare for curbside pickup, ADA parking, and other reserved parking spaces. FlexPost manufactures parking lot flexible signposts and bollard systems that save retailers, restaurants, hospitals, universities, airports, and other types of facilities thousands, and even millions, of dollars annually in parking lot repair and maintenance costs.
   

  Inc. magazine recently announced that FlexPost Inc. was included on its 2022 Inc. 5000 National list. This list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent businesses.
   

  Media Contact Info

  Jeremy J. ⅼ FlexPost Inc.

  888-307-6610 ⅼ info@flexpost.net ⅼ flexpostinc.com
   

  ***NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show: Stop by Booth 1461 to meet our staff and see FlexPost in action!

   

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