Big isn’t just for Texas. University of Arizona graduates Mike and Jane Coffey own the Tucson franchise for Speedpro Imaging and live by the adage that bigger is better when it comes to eye-catching large format imagery.

Lots of firms provide words and pictures to help businesses market their product or service but few provide both — professionally wrapped around a company vehicle.

Franchise holders since last summer who finally opened their doors early this spring, the Coffeys promise to literally alter the way we view our world through their unique method of branding — applying extreme graphics to the exterior of things such as cars, trucks, vans, and trailers to create traveling, full-color billboards, one-of-a-kind show-stopping impressions of business and product.

Print this story Email this story Post a Comment “People will have a hard time remembering a regular, boring paint job. The popularity of this product is tremendous and it’s gaining major momentum,” said Speedpro franchise owner Mike Coffey (right), with his wife Jane. ADVERTISEMENT

Both Mike and Jane Coffey are self-proclaimed ‘desert rats’ who got sidetracked to the east coast for a quarter of a century. They recently returned to Tucson and ownership of what’s billed as “the most comprehensive imaging business available to consumers,” according to Speedpro CEO Blair Gran, who says vehicle wraps can garner 8½ million impressions over a year’s time.

The franchise is rapidly emerging as the nation’s top source for vehicle wraps, which are sort of a “shrink-wrap” that goes over the body of a vehicle. It last for years and has lots of side benefits. According to Speedpro, the wrap lasts for up to five years even under Arizona sun and protect the original vehicle surface from fading or abrasion. They also work as advertising medium, costing less than most billboards.

Citing corporate philosophy, Mike Coffey says: “Just when you think it’s all been done, along comes a company and a process that can really change the face of America with its moving billboards.”

His enthusiasm is embraced by Frank Fellers, CEO of the country’s largest graphic film supplier: “I believe sometime in the not-too-distant future, people will have a hard time remembering a regular, boring paint job. The popularity of this product is tremendous and it’s gaining major momentum.”

The Bureau of Transportation reports there are more than 350 million vehicles on the road across the country. The Coffeys like to hear those figures.

Mike Coffee says only about one quarter of one percent of vehicles currently have some form of imagery. He says that number is forecast to go up to between 45 and 50 percent by 2015.

But getting started isn’t easy, even when the economy is good.

“We got our franchise just about the time things were starting to head south,” Mike Coffey says.

His wife and partner, Jane Coffey, adds, “We’ve now been open for business a little over four months. It hasn’t all been forward motion in an upward direction, but after the first 100 days with both ups and downs, we can see that light ahead and we’re excited about what is happening going forward.”

The Coffeys are optimistic.

“As the economy shows signs of turning around, we’re starting to see a lot of interest being shown in our product and its applications,” Mike Coffey says. “Not only are we known for the vehicle graphics applications, we also do traditional banners, posters, grand opening signs, and other things involving a need for large format.”

Speedpro Imaging

1100 E. Ajo Way, Suite 210

www.speedpro-tucson.com/

(520) 889 5868

Lee Allen is a Tucson-based freelance writer.