Perfect 10 Hybrid Display
New distributors and account executives often ask, “What’s the difference between a Sacagawea Hybrid and a Perfect 10 Hybrid? Or a Magellan and a Visionary Design?” Can it be confusing? Absolutely! Classic Exhibits has six distinct hybrid lines: Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10/20, Visionary Designs, SEGUE, and Euro LT. Or to look at it another way, it’s more than any other systems manufacturer. Learn why there are so many and how they are truly different.
History
Over the past six years, we have significantly expanded our design offerings. In some cases, these new designs were prompted by internal market research; others were necessitated by outside market forces, such as distributor requests or more recently, The Great Recession. In the beginning, there were two Classic hybrid lines: Visionary Designs and Euro LT Modular.
About four years ago, we developed the Perfect 10/20. We did so to tap into an unmet price point, look, and functionality: namely, a $5000 to $9000 10 ft. custom portable hybrid that assembled without tools. There were no other products that combined custom hybrid design in that price range. It was a no brainer to attack this segment and an easy decision to market it as a distinct product line. It did very, very well, until . . . .
At the start of the recession, customers were looking for displays with lower prices and fewer bells and whistles. We introduced the Magellan Miracle and MOR. These are built entirely from one cost-effective extrusion – the ClassicMODUL Z 45. Magellan Displays look much different than either Visionary Designs or Perfect 10 kits and to bury them within those product lines didn’t make sense. Yes, they are still basically aluminum extrusion and tension fabric, but they were unique. Since then, we have expanded the line with more elaborate designs at higher prices, but the system continues to rely on the Z 45 for its frame.
That brings us to the Sacagawea. Go back two years. The Recession has gotten even worse. We are being asked for an even more cost-effective line – less expensive than the Perfect 10 and the Magellan. So, we went back to the drawing board and used the VK-1001 as our inspiration. The VK-1001 was our first hybrid in 2003. We took that basic idea, a square frame with wings, and re-designed it with smaller extrusions, portable assembly, and about 50 kit variations. Within the first month, sales exploded for Sacagawea and sales have grown every since. It continues to sell well even as our other hybrid lines have seen significant increases as well.
SEGUE VK-1900 Hybrid Display
Finally, there’s the SEGUE Hybrids. In the beginning, the SEGUE designs were added to the Visionary Designs line. There were only a few kits, and it didn’t make sense to create yet another hybrid line. However, over the past year, the SEGUE line has expanded as customers asked for silicone edge graphic solutions. We found ourselves having to guide distributors to the SEG designs within Visionary Designs, which was inefficient and confusing. Distributors were requesting more and more SEG solutions and wanted one SEG gallery with inlines, lightboxes, and hanging wall solutions. So, we removed them from Visionary Designs and gave them their own gallery to make it easier for everyone.
What Makes Them Different?
It’s actually very logical. It’s based on design, price, and function. But let’s make this even easier, let’s focus on price as the driver for Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, and Visionary Designs. We’ll explain Euro LT and SEGUE a little later.
Hybrid Display prices are based on six basic factors:
- Size of the extrusion (larger extrusions cost more)
- Whether the extrusion is straight or curved (curves cost more)
- Size and number of graphics
- Type and number of accessories
- What options are included in the base price
- Assembly (knob, locking hex key, or slide clip)
Let’s start from the least expensive to the most expensive lines. Note that as the complexity of the system and size of the graphics increases, so does the price.
Sacagawea VK-1222 Portable Hybrid
Sacagawea Portable Hybrids:
- Smaller extrusions, such as the S 40
- Mostly straight metal
- Typically one tension fabric graphic
- Common accessories
- Three laminates, nine sintra/acrylic, silver aluminum
- Quick assist knobs and locking hex key assembly
- Example: VK-1231
Magellan Portable Hybrids:
- One primary extrusion, the Z 45
- Curved and straight metal
- One or two larger tension fabric graphics
- Common or unique accessories
- Three laminates, nine Sintra/acrylic, silver aluminum
- Quick assist knobs and locking hex key assembly
- Example: VK-1065
Perfect 10/20 Portable Hybrids:
- Multiple smaller extrusions
- Mostly curved metal
- Two larger tension fabric graphics
- Extensive accessories
- Three laminates, nine Sintra/acrylic, seven powder coat colors
- All knob assembly
- Example: VK-1506
Visionary Designs VK-2044 Hybrid
Visionary Designs Hybrids:
- Full line of extrusions and designs
- Curved and straight extrusions
- Unlimited graphic options
- Unlimited accessories
- Wide assortment of laminates, Sintra/acrylics, powder coat colors
- Locking hex key assembly
- Example: VK-2044
SEGUE and Euro LT Hybrids, unlike those listed above, are categorized by function rather than by price. For example, our least expensive hybrid kit is the SEGUE Sunrise (starting at $2833). One of our higher priced 10 ft. kits is the SEGUE VK-1901 (at $12,458).
SEGUE Hybrids:
- Relies on Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) and ClassicMODUL TSP Extrusions
- Curved or straight extrusions
- Graphic options depend on kit or design
- Accessories depend on kit or design
- Wide assortment of laminates, Sintra/acrylics, powder coat colors
- Quick assist knobs and locking hex key assembly
- Example: VK-1900
- Euro LT LTK-5014 Custom Modular Hybrid
Euro LT Custom Modular Hybrids:
- Based on Euro LT laminate panel system
- Extrusion complements the laminate panels
- Graphic options depend on kit or design
- Accessories depend on kit or design
- Wide assortment of laminates, fabrics, Sintra/acrylics, powder coat colors
- Euro LT clips and locking hex key assembly
- Example: LTK-5014
If this still doesn’t make much sense, then give me a call. I’ll be happy to walk you through the basics in a 15 minute GoToMeeting session.
–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com
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Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100.
I am told it was created by a design agency on the East Coast. Kevin loves the Classic logo. I’ve grown to (mostly) love it over the years as we’ve made subtle changes. If nothing else, it’s iconic.
