Monte Pratt, Jack Pratt Signs
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
WRITTEN BY ZACH COHEN | PHOTOS BY SHAWNA MCDUFFIE WITH PEAK RES
THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
Seventy-two years ago, Jack Pratt founded a sign business in Oklahoma City with the goal of making a sign for the oilfield that would last as long as the oil well. Later, the company’s services expanded to serve the Oklahoma real estate market.
Over seven decades and three generations later, the company is still thriving. Led by third-generation owners Jay Penner, Pete Penner, Monte Pratt, and Sara Gae Waters, the company continues to serve its community with dedication, heart, and integrity.
“Being a generational business, we have seen changes, such as going from our grandfather hand-painting metal signs and baking them in my grandmother's oven to silk-screen printing, powder coating, and digital printing,” Monte explains. “Our communication with customers has gone from sending and receiving letters sent by mail for orders to fulfill, to receiving them on a fax machine, email, websites, and social media.”
As their customers’ needs evolved, so did the company’s services. Today, Jack Pratt Signs is much more than a sign company; they provide complete branding solutions tailored to real estate agents and the oil and gas industry.
Three Generations of Success
Jay, Pete, Monte, and Sara Gae grew up watching their parents and grandparents work at the shop, and each started working in the business at a young age. First, it was simply helping around the office as kids. As they got older, they worked the back of the shop as summer jobs.
Although Jay, Pete, Monte, and Sara Gae all held other jobs in various fields, they eventually returned to the family business — or what they lovingly refer to as “the shop.” Their current office is the house that their grandparents raised their parents in.
“Each of us has been impacted by the ingenuity and work ethic of our grandparents who started the business. Our parents carried on running the business and continued their legacy. We are reminded every day of what they did, what they built, and how they built it,” Monte explains.
Serving the Real Estate Industry
As customers’ needs evolved over the years, so have the company’s services. Today, Jack Pratt Signs manufactures durable outdoor yard signs for the real estate industry and oilfield signs for the oil and gas industry; they also offer complete branding solutions tailored to both industries.
“Our company’s true focus has always remained the same,” Monte says. “To produce a high quality, durable, and long-lasting sign for all clients. What makes Jack Pratt’s signs better than the competition? The quality of the materials. The standard sign panels are a thicker steel. Angle iron frames are made all from one-inch material, and all are powder-coated to add life, durability, and gloss.”
The ability to make custom sizes and a variety of materials and frame options gives clients the ability to get what they need to succeed. Jack Pratt’s team will assist customers in creating the correct sign design and also in choosing the correct materials, sign sizes, and frames.
“We stand behind our product, can back it up, and strive for excellent customer service,” Monte says.
Unprecedented Service
As Jay, Pete, Monte, and Sara Gae look toward the future, they hope to continue to build upon the legacy that their grandparents and parents left. Quality and customer service remain at the top of their list of values. They strive for excellence in everything they do.
“There are many ways we are fulfilled on the job. Mostly, it’s the relationships. We have worked with awesome people over the years and made wonderful friendships with our employees, clients, and vendors,” Monte says. “We want to be remembered as a family business with integrity that provides great customer service and the highest quality of products. Our hope is to continue the legacy that our grandparents started 72 years ago.”
For more information, please visit www.jackpratt.com.
