ForConstructionPros.com

Striping contractors know their target audience. But one thing many contractors may not have considered is extending their services indoors. Places such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities often incorporate striping on their floors for safety areas, aisle marking, or to mark around required open areas such as pallet locations. But many contractors aren't taking advantage of this possible new customer.

Indoor striping can be a great supplement for a striping contractor and might even be a way to extend the season or bring in income on rainy days. "If someone has done parking lot striping - new layout specifically - for a number of years and has learned modern techniques and how to be efficient with the layout they can usually apply the same techniques indoors with a few modifications," says Randy Vorce, owner of Parallel Contracting Inc. in Williamston, MI, which specializes in indoor striping services.

Vorce says it can be tough to find the right market for indoor striping. He suggests targeting property owners, property managers, or companies that may be leasing warehouse properties. "Get on the Internet and start looking and searching for who owns these buildings," Vorce suggests. "Find out who the potential customers are and who the people within those companies are that you need to contact."

Finding the proper avenues to market indoor striping can also be tough, Vorce adds. Word of mouth and direct mailing can be a great way to reach possible customers. Advertising on your company website is another way to get the word out. No matter what paths you choose to market with, the most important aspect is that you put your information out there, Vorce says.

Another way to drum up business for indoor striping is to ask your existing customers, says Dave Laird of Graco. "If they're currently striping exterior space for a customer it's the next step to ask the customer if they have any striping inside that needs to be done," adds Sherwin-Williams Pavement Markings Lead Chemist Chris Fox.