The Good Idea That's Turned Out Great
Contact:
 Bill Griffin
803.276.5504
800.800.9008
 Fax: 803.276.8940
Decorative Poles

For immediate release
Tuff-Poles come in a variety of styles and an extensive palette of colors

The Good Idea That's Turned Out Great

It seemed like a good idea at the time, and after more than thirty years it now seems like a great idea. This is the story of the fiberglass reinforced composite light pole.  It all started when Shakespeare Composite Structures™ took a good look at its other products back in the 1960's. and with the encouragement of a large electric utility scaled the technology up, to
create the first composite light pole. It was strong, resistant to insects, woodpeckers, salt spray, and cold weather, and it had a long useful life.

Since then, the company has introduced design innovations and patented techniques that have revolutionized the lighting standard industry.  The extensive line covers everything from a simple yard light to a massive 70-footer capable of withstanding literally hurricane-force winds. The company's Breakaway poles meet the federal standards for highway applications, using joining techniques invented and patented at Shakespeare Composite Structures™.

The company also manufacturers historically accurate poles for decorative lighting applications, as well as transmission and distribution utility poles up to 75 feet.

In full color

Shakespeare Composite Structures™ manufactures round tapered, straight square, and square tapered lighting poles at its Newberry, South Carolina, factory, and warehouses a selection of the most frequently ordered poles for fast shipment. Sold under the registered trademark TuffPole®, the lighting and decorative poles come in a palette of standard and 23 premium color choices, including "designer" ones like purple, yellow, and orange. The utility Tuff-Poles® are available in eight standard colors, even silver.

How they're made

Composite round poles are filament wound, a process that applies resin-soaked fibers to a rotating, heated mandrel. The square poles are "pultruded," in which heated dies shape the pole as rollers pull it out from its source.  The company's Decorative poles are molded from historical originals.  These beauties are accurate reproductions of poles from days gone by. They've been selected by municipalities around the globe for their looks and longevity.  For example, the Decorative poles were adopted by the City of Washington, D.C., for use around that city's architectural treasures and as street lighting.  The names of some of
the designs indicate their source: "D.C.," "San Gabriel," "Coral Gables," "Monterey Bay," and the newest members of the family, "Steamboat Springs" and "Pittsburg."

Utilities often mix several types of Shakespeare Compoisite Structures™ Tuff-Poles® to meet their job requirements: utility poles to get power in, round tapered poles for basic street lighting, and square or decorative poles for the extra looks that upscale residential and condominium complexes crave.  An elegant look can be achieved simply with round tapered poles and a one-piece or two-piece decorative shroud.

The snow factor
Some of the company's most appreciative customers are in climates where nature's out to get 'em. The poles have been a hit in places where a large woodpecker population damages wooden poles to make their home sweet home.  Composite poles are favored in coastal areas, where salt air and salt spray quickly attack wood or metal.  The poles are also noted for their resistance to winter's cold, ice, and snow.  Composite poles actually get stronger in cold weather, and their smooth surfaces resist the effects of expanding, thawing ice.

In remote areas, a small crew can carry and set them without large lifting equipment.  For changing out an outdated wooden pole, especially in tight or difficult areas like back yards where heavy equipment isn't welcome, composite poles are an excellent solution.
The color choices will please the condo owners' associations, designers, and architects, too.

Now a division of Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC (Louisville, KY),  Shakespeare Composite Structures™ has since the 1950's pioneered the use of fiberglass reinforced composites in lighting and utility poles.  The company is the world leader in fiberglass reinforced composite utility poles.

Shakespeare Composite Structures™ is on the World Wide Web at www.skp-cs.com.  For more information, just call. (800-800-9008).

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[Editors: Black and white and color digital scans can be made available - email for information]


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Shakespeare Composite Structures is a Philips group brand
19845 Highway 76, Newberry, SC 29108
803.276.5504 · 800.800.9008 · Fax: 803.276.8940 · www.skp-cs.com