Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Sitkowski.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ken. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Bannerville USA began producing light pole banners in the City of Chicago in 1973. Emil Harley, my father in law, began the company back then, running it as Emil Harley and Associates. I was hired on in 1983 as his first full time employee. We changed the name of the company to Bannerville in 1986.
Emil’s one man shop was growing rapidly, and I was working in the insurance business back in the late 70’s. I started helping Emil on weekends and evenings in 1979 before starting full time. By the mid 80’s, Bannerville was known country wide for starting light pole banner programs in cities like St. Louis, Cleveland, Nashville, Fresno and Houston, while always serving our number one customer, Chicago. We made banners for such memorable Chicago events as the Democratic National Convention, the World Cup, the Chicago Bulls’ Championship rallies, the 1986 Super Bowl Parade, and the initial Taste of Chicago.
What were once simple, one color, silk screen printed banners progressed to beautiful, four color prints. In 2004, we purchased our first digital printer, which allowed us to print even more colorful designs. Emil retired in 2005, selling the business to Ken at that time. Ken now operates the company with his son, Tom, and seventeen great employees. We run eight digital printers today, and have expanded our product lines to include window graphics, wall murals, posters, sidewalk graphics, and much more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been fortunate that we really have not faced any hurdles that hard work could not overcome. We have at times had to face very tight deadlines on some amazing jobs, but the great work ethic of all of our employees has allowed us to succeed.
Buying the company from my father in law in 2005, while having two sons in college and another on his way there the following year, led to some sleepless nights, but it has all been very worthwhile.
Bannerville USA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are best known for our light pole banners that hang throughout the City and suburbs – and for pioneering this method of advertising in the 1980’s. The production of these banners was previously 100% of our business. I am proud to say that we made a very concerted effort back in 2005 to begin to diversify and expand our product lines, and today the light pole business is about 65% of our business. The balance of our work includes wall murals, window graphics, interior banner displays, posters, magnets, and more.
We are also extremely proud of the fact that nearly all of the customers who we worked with back in the 70’s and 80’s are still with us today. This customer base includes the finest institutions in the City. I really believe that what separates us from our competition is our customer service and attention to detail.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am extremely proud of my son, Tom, joining the business in 2010. Tom represents the third generation in our family business, and we are hopeful that there will be future generations involved as well.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8164 S. Madison, Burr Ridge, Il. 60527
- Website: bannerville.com
- Phone: 630-455-0304
- Email: info@bannerville.com
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