From a humble S-10 pickup to a 22,000-square-foot facility, Joel Haluck’s journey in the sign industry is a testament to growth, adaptation, and innovation. But what happens when the tools of the trade evolve faster than the industry’s habits? Discover how Joel’s bold switch to a Van Ladder reshaped his business, cut costs, and overcame skepticism from his team. Read the full story to find out how embracing change can drive efficiency, boost productivity, and lead to surprising benefits.
Purchasing a Bucket Truck
/by Jim TroeWhat’s the best bucket truck for the money? That depends on what kind of work you do. In the sign and lighting industry, lighter signs, tighter installs, and rising costs have changed what companies need from their equipment. This blog highlights firsthand insights from sign pros who’ve diversified their fleets with Van Ladder to lower costs, avoid overkill, and increase jobsite flexibility—all without sacrificing capability.
Renting Towable Booms for Sign Work
/by Jim TroeRenting a towable boom lift might seem economical—until your day unravels. Missed appointments, faulty rentals, and wasted labor hours stack up fast. This blog breaks down the real-world costs of towable lift rentals versus owning a Van Ladder. Learn why a fully stocked truck can save your business time, money, and headaches, and how one investment could revolutionize your scheduling, efficiency, and customer experience.
Inefficient Installations – We Can’t Say Here!
/by Jim TroeWhy do some sign installers resist more efficient tools—even when the benefits are clear? Just like Shackleton’s crew on an icy mountainside, teams often hesitate to take bold steps forward without understanding the stakes, the reward, and the way forward. This post explores the psychology behind installer pushback, and offers proven strategies for getting buy-in on Van Ladder’s one-man bucket truck—making installs faster, safer, and simpler for everyone involved.
If You Were to Start from Scratch
/by Jim TroeWhat would you do differently if you could start over? For Van Ladder, the early years were full of hard-earned lessons—from misunderstood customer needs to real-time R&D in the field. Now, with decades of insight and feedback from seasoned installers, the company builds smarter, more practical equipment. Discover why experienced sign pros like Jason Ricketts say they’d choose Van Ladder first if they were starting from scratch—and how one vehicle can streamline both installations and everyday sign work.
Why an All-Electric Aerial Lift Makes Sense
/by Jim TroeImagine installing a sign without yelling over a diesel engine or worrying about fuel burn. Van Ladder’s all-electric aerial lift lets crews work with the engine off—cutting noise, emissions, and downtime. With easier troubleshooting, safer jobsite communication, and lower service costs, this electric innovation is winning over skeptical installers nationwide. Read why more companies are making the switch.
A Traveling Warehouse
/by Jim TroeFaced with an existential crisis, Van Ladder had to rethink everything when new regulations ended their ability to use cargo vans. The solution? A strategic upgrade to the E450 chassis paired with Rockport’s Workport box. The result was a mobile jobsite packed with organization, storage, and efficiency. Read how this “traveling warehouse” revolutionized prep time, reduced jobsite headaches, and turned a major setback into a smarter way forward for sign professionals.
Award Worthy Innovation
/by Jim TroeWhen a prayer turned into a prototype, the Chariot Bucket was born—an innovation designed to change the way signs are installed. From a smooth, hand-operated rotation system to time-saving accessories, this award-winning bucket has eliminated the need for two-person crews on most jobs. Learn how input from sign installers across the country helped shape a tool that’s not just efficient—but revolutionary.
The Un-Bucket Truck
/by Jim TroeTired of oversized bucket trucks for sign installs? Meet the Van Ladder—an innovative, compact alternative designed to maximize efficiency and reduce jobsite headaches. With a 45’ working height, 31’ side reach, and game-changing features like the Chariot Bucket and enclosed tool storage, this lightweight lift is built to handle 70% of sign installs smarter and faster. Discover why more sign pros are making the switch to the Un-Bucket Truck.
No One Likes Change
/by Jim TroeFrom a humble S-10 pickup to a 22,000-square-foot facility, Joel Haluck’s journey in the sign industry is a testament to growth, adaptation, and innovation. But what happens when the tools of the trade evolve faster than the industry’s habits? Discover how Joel’s bold switch to a Van Ladder reshaped his business, cut costs, and overcame skepticism from his team. Read the full story to find out how embracing change can drive efficiency, boost productivity, and lead to surprising benefits.
The Intangible Benefits
/by Jim TroeWe all know how nice it is to tackle a project with the right tools, and how frustrating a project can be when you don’t have the right tools. It’s simple math to estimate the labor savings from making your process more efficient, but how can you put a price tag on your happier life quotient?