The Learning Never Stops Rooted in Training

Jeff Wagner of J3 Industries started installing graphics in 1991 at the age of 19 for a local installation company, Lone Star Applicators. Taught by Kent Carpenter, Jeff spent the next several years honing the craft. When the opportunity presented itself, a local trucking company needed a full-time graphics installer to update and repair the aging fleet of commercial tractor and trailer graphics. Adding experience and knowledge, Jeff continued to work in the commercial graphics installation business. Around the late 90’s the business changed with the development of digital printers and the concept of the car wrap.

With the development of digital printers and the car wrap concept, Jeff knew he was on the right path. After working for several graphics companies, Jeff and his wife Jennifer Started J3 Industries in the summer of 2007.

Focusing on commercial interior and fleet graphics installations, companies such as Signature Graphics, Lowen and FastSigns provided a steady stream of business and opened the door for the future.

With a growing installation business and contacts with industry professionals, Jeff and another local installer, Mike Zick of Mike Zick Installations, were part of the original training / 3M certification class at Lowen Graphics.

Not knowing at the time the impact this training class would have on the direction and future of J3. More training and installation opportunities arose from this first class.

Industry certification and training classes started to grow at a fast pace.

Around the same time structured training and certification classes were gaining steam, Jeff got the opportunity to help grow vinyl distributor-sponsored training classes.

With the guidance of longtime 3M Technical Service Representative, Bob Barr, Jeff and J3 got the opportunity to help Graphics Solutions Group set up and teach their future vehicle wrap classes.

Soon after, with the growing association with 3M and help from good friend and colleague Bob Barr, J3 Industries got the opportunity to open and operate the first 3M training and certification facility in Texas.

While continuing to operate the installation side of J3, Jeff and Jennifer were simultaneously running the Certification facility and continuing mobile trading with GSG.

March 2020 and the Covid pandemic took the training side of the business by surprise. With the ever-growing pandemic, training classes took a back seat to the normal graphics installation side of the business. Both training classes and certification classes were put on hold indefinitely. Unfortunately, neither would survive the shutdown that followed.

After the pandemic-related shutdowns, new relationships developed and new doors soon opened. A chance meeting in 2019 with Arlon Sales Representative, Michael Aybinder, provided more mobile training opportunities.

After 3 plus years of mobile training with Arlon Graphics, the opportunity to open another trading facility surfaced. Arlon Graphics and WrapStar Pro owner Kristen Lanzarone partnered for the Master The Wrap initiative. Again throwing the training hat back in the ring, J3 will be one of the authorized training and certification locations for WrapStar U and Arlon.

Opening in May of 2024 in Frisco, Texas. J3 Industries will have a new training facility ready to go.

With 30+ years of installation experience, many lessons have been learned.

Never stop learning is a concept to never lose sight of. There are always new materials and techniques to master. The more knowledge you can obtain, the better the quality of work you perform. To be good and last in this business, you need to love what you do!