Introduction:
Laurel Printing & Graphics recently joined the Heeter family, adding wide-format printing expertise to the fold. Laurel’s capabilities include vinyl printing 10 ft. wide by 150 ft. long and vehicle wraps.
They were the perfect teammate for the Kraft Heinz company’s return to the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium.
For over 20 years, two 35’ tall Heinz Ketchup bottles flanked the scoreboard at Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. When the stadium naming rights changed in 2023, the bottles were removed and stored outdoors.
Kraft Heinz continued its partnership with the stadium by supporting the Heinz Gate and turned to Heeter for help. Steelers fans loved the idea of reclaiming one of the bottles to once again stand proudly at the stadium.
The Challenge:
After decades outdoors, the 35’ tall, 7,500-pound fiberglass bottle needed refurbishment. While in storage, it had filled with thousands of gallons of rainwater, ruining the internal electronics and hydraulics. The surface required significant prep work for painting and fiberglass repair, and the paint color had to be matched precisely to the correct ketchup hue.
The Solution:
After previous experience rebranding two stadium concession stands with the Heinz name, Kraft Heinz contacted Laurel Print & Graphics for this project. Nick Benevento, senior sales representative, led the project team and coordinated with multiple subcontractors, including Precision Body and Service and Steffan Industries.
Precision Body and Service sanded, repaired, and primed the bottle before applying seven coats of automotive paint to withstand the Pittsburgh weather. The crimson paint was color-matched based on an undamaged area on the bottle.
Laurel Print & Graphics enhanced the bottle with wide-format printing, applying new vinyl decals for the bottle labels and a wall graphic below the bottle for a social media photo backdrop.
Steffan Industries was in charge of lifting and installing the bottle in its new home.
