For a limited time EGL is offering a 20% rebate on purchases of its newest color, EGL V6500 Snowhite.  Buy 50lbs, get 10lbs FREE!  No limit!  Mix and match diameters.  All you have to do is contact EGL and provide a copy of an invoice for EGL V6500 Snowhite and 20% more glass will be sent to you for free.  EGL V6500 is an exact match to Voltarc®6500 Snowhite utilizing the same coating formula.  It is the same color exposed or behind Acrylic/white plex.  Phosphor adhesion and bending quality have been substantially improved.  Take advantage of this special offer now before time runs out.  Offer is limited to the continental United States.

EGL Company, Inc., a New Jersey based manufacturer of specialty lighting products serving the neon sign and custom lighting industry is proud to announce the appointment of John Tulk as head phosphor and coatings engineer. At EGL John will focus on developing new coatings and colors that offer more lumens per watt than traditional neon colors, as well as perfecting EGL's neon phosphor and coatings for the P.O.P and neon signage industry. John's background at Sylvania, Osram Lighting, and Voltarc Technologies, Inc. make him the perfect match to the unique challenges he will face at EGL.

"We are pleased to have John on our team. His distinctive work experiences and knowledge of phosphors, coatings, and fluorescent and neon lamp making is an ideal fit with EGL's position as the world leader of custom color neon lighting products" said Harold Cortese, President and CEO of EGL Company, Inc.

John's professional career started at Sylvania's Chemical and Metallurgical Plant in Towanda, PA working in their phosphor group. At Sylvania's Towanda facility and their fluorescent lamp plant in Massachusetts John gained extensive knowledge and expertise in phosphors and fluorescent lamp technology. In 2000, John left Sylvania to join Voltarc Technologies, Inc. to become their Coatings Engineering Manager where he held this position for eight years before joining EGL in July of 2008.

"I'm excited to be at EGL" said Mr. Tulk. "There are endless color possibilities with neon and fluorescent lighting that is unrivaled whether we are talking about LEDs, fiber optics, or any other light source. I look forward to applying my knowledge and experiences to help EGL remain as the world leader in custom colors as well as to help EGL distance itself from its competition."

EGL Company, Inc., a family owned business founded by Ralph Cortese in 1930 is recognized as the world leader in neon, cold cathode, and specialty lighting products currently providing the lighting industry with over 10,000 products.

A long-time member of USSC, EGL will be exhibiting at booth # 706. A number of EGL’s sales and technical staff will be on hand displaying the latest EGL has to offer the sign and neon industry. EGL will be displaying their new 12L gas cylinders and transfer system, as well as showing their new Mer Plus™ electrodes at the show. The 12L gas tanks allow sign shops to change gases quickly and easily without loss of gas or fear of system contamination. Introduced in the second quarter of 2007 at the ISA International Sign Show in Las Vegas, the new EGL Mer Plus™ electrodes save sign shops time and money as well as provide a safer working environment for employees. Along with the 12L gas tanks and Mer Plus™ neon electrodes, EGL will be displaying their neon glass tubing, cold cathode tubing, comparisons between neon and LED technology, and a number of other neon processing products. For more information see http://www.egl-neon.com

Neon signs are not just for museums and collectors.  Presently, they make up a majority of retail signage in this country (whether they are the exposed, boxed or channel letters variety) and have been in use for 100 years. Although landmark neon signs are considered a treasured American art form worth preserving, let's not forget that neon is still the best commercial lighting system on the market when it comes to brightness, energy-efficiency, durability and environmental impact.

Unfortunately, with the recent rise of other light sources such as LED and fiber optics, neon has been under attack with unsubstantiated claims that, due to a lack of an unbiased comparative studies, have been taken as fact. So when claims are made about neon, consider the source of these statements and their validity.

Brightness and Energy Efficiency

Most people don't realize that the difference in energy consumption between neon and LED is minimal and, in most cases, non-existent. What is remarkably different is the brightness, measured in lumens, emitted from comparable LED and neon signs. For example, the best white LEDs produce 10-20 lumens for every Watt consumed while 6500K snow white neon produces 35-45 lumens per Watt, even up to 50-60 lumens depending on fabrication. To equal the brightness of 6500K snow white neon signage, the amount of white LEDs needed would actually consume 2-8 times more energy per linear foot, according to studies done by The EGL Company.

Durability and Environmental Impact

Let's also consider how the standard life expectancy of LED compares to that of neon and the environmental impact of replacing and transporting LED lamps (often from overseas). The truth is that neon tubes burn without brightness or color degradation for up to 15 years, requiring very little maintenance or replacement.  In fact, the USA Today article "Save Neon Signs, Fans Urge" references signs that are 60- and 70-years old where, in some cases, the neon tubing has outlasted its metal housing. In the meantime, the LED industry struggles to pinpoint what the standard life-expectancy of its product should be, but has pinpointed how much degradation in brightness and degree of color shifting is acceptable before lamp replacement.1 This represents a great liability for retailers who have invested in LED technology to illuminate their signage and logos.

 Until recently, the neon industry has been silent about these facts and the negative consequences manifest in distorted public opinions and misrepresentations. As a result, The Neon Group has formed as a network of professionals representing the many facets of this American tradition from component manufacturers, supply distributors, power supply manufacturers and neon wholesalers to sign makers, lighting designers and artists.

"By creating a united front, we are protecting the interests of the neon trades, educating a misinformed public and promoting awareness of neon as a valuable lighting system," asserts Loren Hudson owner of Hudson & Hudson Neon, Inc. and president of The Neon Group.

The Neon Group urges end-users to learn about the benefits of neon and how it compares to LED at our website at www.TheNeonGroup.org. If you are a professional in the neon trade and are interested in supporting our mission, please consider joining our group - a membership application form is available on our website.

A charter member of ISA, EGL will be exhibiting at booth # 2010.  Hailed as the premier trade show serving the sign industry, EGL is once again excited to exhibit their products at the International Sign Expo.  A number of EGL’s sales and technical staff will be on hand displaying the latest EGL has to offer the sign and neon world.  A newly designed booth will effectively showcase EGL’s products as well as catch the attention of attendees. 

EGL will be demonstrating their Mer Plus™ electrodes at the show, which will save sign shops time and money as well as providing a safer working environment for employees. Along with these neon electrodes, EGL will be displaying their brand new color selectors, neon glass tubing, cold cathode tubing, comparisons between neon and LED technology, and a number of other neon processing products.

A charter member of ISA, The EGL Company Inc., will be exhibiting at the Western States Sign Show in San Diego, California.  A number of EGL’s sales and technical staff including Dwight Auch, EGL’s new west coast sales representative, will be on hand displaying the latest EGL has to offer the sign and neon industry. 

EGL will be displaying a wide range of products and information including but not limited to their neon glass tubing, cold cathode tubing, comparisons between neon and LED technology, and a number of other neon processing products.  Visiting the EGL booth will give attendees the opportunity to learn about the energy efficiencies of neon, as well as its wide range of uses.