The History of Luminous Neon

Offering 95 years of experience in on-premise electrical signage

Luminous Neon, Inc. has completed more than 100,000+ sign projects across Kansas, as well as regionally and nationally. It serves the signage and visual communications needs of some of the area’s best-known and most-respected businesses and organizations.

The company was founded in 1928 as Wholesale Sign Company by Bob McBride in Kansas City, Mo., at the height of neon’s introduction to the United States. In 1939, the company moved to Hutchinson and changed its name to Luminous Neon.

Mert Sellers, Chairman, joined the operation in 1960. He was named president in 1970 and soon acquired the company. Mert achieved his 63rd year of service with Luminous Neon in 2023.

Mert’s brother, Ron Sellers, joined the company in 1970 and served as President until 2016, when he assumed the role of Vice Chairman. Ron spent 53 years with the company before retiring in 2023.

Tom Sellers, Mert’s son, joined the business in 1990 and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2016. He continues in this role following the sale of the company to a new owner.

In October of 2023, the Sellers family sold Luminous Neon to Mike King. After assuming ownership, Mr. King retained all employees and all locations as part of his ongoing efforts to grow the business while maintaining existing customer and vendor relationships.

Read the press release to learn more about the acquisition.

The company continued to expand throughout the eighties and nineties. It opened sales and service offices in Salina, KS, and Topeka, KS, in 1983 and 1986, respectively. To broaden its presence in Eastern Kansas the company acquired Kansas City-based Sign Systems in 1994 and Lawrence-based Art & Sign Inc. in 1999.

The company now has six locations, serving customers throughout the Midwest and the United States.

In December 1999, the company began using the trade name Luminous Neon Art & Sign Systems, combining three well-established companies.

The company’s stability and continuity can be attributed to Mert Sellers. He began his career with Luminous Neon in 1960 and has been continually involved with the company ever since. He remains active in the company’s current operations and is involved in a number of local and regional philanthropic activities as well.

Luminous Neon, Inc. has nearly 90 years of experience in fabrication, installation and service of all types of signs for all types of customers. Its 80 employees consist of talented designers, superior craftspeople, experienced technicians, dedicated marketing representatives and a support staff who provide… 

Visionary Ideas, Extraordinary Results

 

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For nearly 90 years, we’ve maintained a fanatical emphasis on customer satisfaction. Although the sign industry has changed over the years, focusing on customer satisfaction has remained our priority.