When Robert Harman, a franchisee of five Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ locations in North Carolina, got the call to work on the newly purchased Frying Pan Shoals Lighthouse, he knew it would be unlike any project his team had tackled before. By Kelsi Trinidad
When Robert Harman, a franchisee of five Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ locations in North Carolina, got the call to work on the newly purchased Frying Pan Shoals Lighthouse, he knew it would be unlike any project his team had tackled before.
The Frying Pan Shoals Lighthouse was built in 1964, 32 miles off the coast of North Carolina, to help boats safely navigate the shallow waters of the Frying Pan Shoals. Now decommissioned, the lighthouse serves as a site for marine conservation and research. Because of its location, surrounded by water, the lighthouse must generate its own energy and be as energy efficient as possible. Encased in 55 windows, the lighthouse struggled to retain heat and cool air.
To solve that challenge, the lighthouse turned to Harman’s Tint World team.
The logistics of the two-day job were akin to those of a spy movie. It began with a 5 p.m. helicopter ride to the lighthouse, flying over shark-infested waters. With no road access, every crew member and every piece of equipment had to be flown to the lighthouse, leaving little room for delays.
The crew landed on the lighthouse’s helipad and immediately got to work. The team had just two days to tint all 55 windows, working until it was time to catch the helicopter home at 2:30 p.m. each day. The pace was much faster than they were accustomed to for a project of that size, but they completed the work successfully.
The window film installed by Harman’s team rejected approximately 80% of the heat entering the building, resulting in an indoor temperature about 15 degrees cooler than before.
Successfully completing a project of this scale reflects how Harman’s Tint World business has grown. Today, the operation includes five Tint World locations and has expanded its home services division within their local markets.
“This is just us turning the corner, making it more legitimate and solidifying our position online as a leader in the home services industry,” Harman said.
After tinting a lighthouse, there’s little Harman’s team can’t handle.
Kelsi Trinidad