Portfolio → Case Studies → Giving A&E Appliance Repair the Marketing Muscle of a National Chain On a Local Business Budget
Case Study
Giving A&E Appliance Repair the Marketing Muscle of a National Chain On a Local Business Budget
Client
A&E Appliance Repair
Industry
Main Services
Timeline
2022–Present
Background
A&E Appliance Repair is a family-owned appliance service company that’s built a reputation for honest, reliable work. When they first reached out in 2022, they weren’t looking for a complete rebrand — they needed work shirts for their technicians.
What started as a single apparel order quickly grew into something more. Over the past three years, we’ve become A&E’s go-to team for everything visual — from business cards to event tents to coordinating professional photography of their fleet. It’s the kind of relationship where they call us first whenever they need something, and we figure out the best solution together.
The Challenge
A&E had been in business for years, but their marketing materials didn’t reflect the quality of their service. They were competing against national chains with polished branding, consistent uniforms, and professional marketing — while A&E’s own materials had been pieced together over time without a cohesive strategy.
The bigger issue wasn’t any single project — it was the lack of a system. Every time they needed something new (shirts, magnets, signage, appointment cards), it was a one-off decision. Nothing connected. They didn’t have a design partner who understood their brand and could make sure everything worked together.
They also didn’t have time to manage it themselves. Running service calls, managing technicians, and keeping customers happy was already a full plate. Marketing kept falling to the bottom of the list — not because it wasn’t important, but because there was no one to hand it off to.
The Approach
2022: Apparel & Brand Foundation
The relationship started with embroidered work shirts — gray, red, and black polos featuring the A&E logo. We vectorized their existing logo for embroidery, recommended thread colors that would pop against each shirt color, and coordinated production through our apparel partners.
While working on the shirts, we identified an opportunity: A&E’s logo had history and recognition, but it could use a refresh for certain applications. We created a “retro-style” version of their logo — a throwback design that honored the brand’s heritage while giving them something distinctive for apparel and promotional items. After discussion, we advised against a full rebrand since their current logo had strong local recognition. The retro version became a secondary mark for shirts and special projects.
2022–2023: Print Collateral System
With apparel handled, we moved into print materials. Business cards. Appointment cards their technicians could leave with customers (designed with a writable surface so techs could jot notes). Fridge magnets that matched the business cards — functional promotional items customers would actually keep. Trifold brochures. Invoice headers for their service printer.
Each piece was designed to work together. Same colors, same typography, same visual language. For the first time, A&E had a cohesive system instead of a collection of one-offs.
2023–2024: Expanding the Footprint
As A&E grew, so did their needs. We designed a custom 10′ x 10′ dye-sublimation event tent for community events and trade shows — a branded space that made them look like a franchise operation, not a local shop. Now Hiring window signs and door magnets when they were recruiting. ID badges for staff. Tool mats. Stickers.
We also coordinated professional photography — connecting them with a photographer we trust for staff photos, fleet shots, action images of technicians at work, and drone footage of their building. These assets gave A&E the visual content they needed to show up professionally online and in print.
The Work
Custom Magnets matching the business card design - functional items customers actually keep.
Business Cards that match the custom magnets keeping a solid brand identity.
The retro-style logo was designed specifically for apparel — a throwback mark that honors A&E's history while standing out on uniforms.
The custom dye-sublimation tent gives A&E a professional, branded presence at community events.
Professional photography of the fleet and facility — coordinated through our photographer network — gives A&E polished visual content for marketing.
The Outcome
Capability: A&E now has a complete brand system — apparel, print collateral, signage, event materials, and photography — that works together. When they need something new, we’re not starting from scratch. We’re extending a system that already exists.
Credibility: With consistent, professional materials across every touchpoint, A&E looks like a franchise operation — without the franchise fees or loss of independence. They’re competing visually with national chains while staying locally owned.
Cost Efficiency: By consolidating their marketing work with one partner who understands their brand, A&E has saved significantly on printing and avoided the hidden costs of inconsistent, piecemeal marketing.
Relationship Continuity: What started as a work shirt order has become a three-year (and counting) partnership. We’re not a vendor they call occasionally — we’re the team they call first.
“John and his team at Fusion have gone above and beyond for us. Created a new legacy logo that we are more than happy with, manufactured over 30 new uniforms for my staff, and saved me over $6,000 on one print order over the big name print guys. There are tons of other small things they have done for me, so it’s safe to say John and his crew will have my business for years to come.”
— Brian Schwentek A&E Appliance Repair
What's Next
We continue to work with A&E on whatever comes up — anniversary shirts for milestones, updated collateral as their team grows, and new materials as needs arise. As their business evolves, their brand evolves with them.