Celebrating 75 Years of U.S. Ventures
Parts count: 100 pieces
Dimensions (cm): 4.5(W) x 6.6(L) x 15(H)
2026 is the 75th anniversary of U.S. Ventures; a significant number that symbolizes change, growth, and the many members of the Schmidt family. Now in the fourth generation of family leadership, U.S. Ventures has no plans of slowing down, but they did recognize that this kind of anniversary should be celebrated with something special.
Beginnings
In 1951, U.S. Ventures began when two brothers bought a fuel oil route and started running the business out of their homes as Schmidt Brothers Oil Company. By 1958, they were able to move the offices out of their homes and started expanding into related businesses, from tire shops to exhausts and beyond.
Playwell’s contact at U.S. Ventures wanted to focus on those early years, sharing photographs of their early service stations. They commissioned Playwell Bricks to recreate one of those early service station signs with their new logo as U.S. Ventures as a gift for their shareholders.
Designing Something Unforgettable
Playwell Bricks designer Simon MacDonald studied the pictures and carefully recreated the sign in bricks. “The photos the client supplied were really precise. The majority of the 'heavy lifting' was done with the decals,” he says.
The decals were designed by Playwell Bricks’ graphic designer Kostik Poloskin, representing the U.S. Venture logo and the requested gas pricing.
U.S. Ventures also included an inspiring note to their shareholders in the Build Instructions for the set, which reads, “Since 1951, U.S. Ventures has proudly set the standard as the ‘Very Best’ in the industry, grounded in the values instilled by the Schmidt family. Built on integrity, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to giving back, the company has grown with service at its core. That spirit of generosity has shaped a culture where true success is defined not only by accomplishments but also by the positive impact on people’s lives. U.S. Venture remains dedicated to carrying forward this legacy of being the ‘Very Best’ for generations to come.”
Including this kind of internal branding in the instructions helps keep the relationships involved in this set integral to the experience of building, forging deeper bonds and helping to create something unforgettable.
conclusion
Whether your company is putting together a shareholder, team or client gift, Playwell Bricks is here to help you build well, brand well, and gift well. Contact us to book your discovery call today!