The Write Way to Say Thanks to our customers
How a custom-designed pen and pencil set became a symbol of Thor’s partnership to capture gratitude and their Esprit de Corps.
Thor Plumbing & Heating is Winnipeg’s Premier Mechanical Contractor Specializing In Commercial Mechanical Contracting, Building Maintenance, and Emergency Service With Over 30 Years of Experience.
Their mission is to be the leading mechanical contractor and service provider in Manitoba while delivering the highest level of customer service for their commercial and industrial clients.
THOR PLUMBING & HEATING LTD.
The Challenge
Thor’s management team approached us with a unique challenge: to create a memorable client appreciation gift that expressed gratitude to clients for trusting them as their mechanical service contractor. This gift needed to go beyond a simple thank-you—it was an opportunity to introduce clients to Thor’s culture and demonstrate the value of their partnership.
Thor was developing custom software to enhance their maintenance assurance program as part of their evolving services. They wanted their gift to not only show their gratitude but also the quality and skill of their work. It needed to be something clients would remember and find value in, and that would make a strong, lasting impression.
To make this gift stand out, Thor’s team asked us to aim for high production quality and to capture Thor’s personality in a bold, creative way. Inspired by graffiti art, they wanted a fresh and dynamic aesthetic similar to this art style.
Concept sketches to start the collboration.
Our challenge was to balance this urban edge with a professional tone that ensured clients would view Thor as a serious, trusted partner with strong core values.
Darryl van Herksen, UX/UI Manager of Design
Web Wizards Inc.
Artwork colour pathway
We chose a black and white color palette for the packaging to give it an elevated look and to balance the boldness of the graffiti-inspired design. Small accents of pink added just the right contrast, bringing a fresh, unexpected twist to the overall aesthetic.
For the overall packaging we wanted to show attention to detail, this is why the gift box is wrapped in custom Thor giftology paper. So even the wrapping paper was work of art.
the Process
Collaborating with our in-house illustrator, we crafted a series of simple black-and-white line drawings. Using hand-drawn, typographical shapes in vector form, we created unique patterns to serve as design elements throughout the piece. We chose primarily black-and-white colour palette to keep the design professional, adding only small pops of colour as subtle accents.
While exploring Thor’s space, we noticed some graffiti artwork already featured in their employee gym. This inspired us to introduce a hint of colour in a similar style, using it to accent the custom soft-touch laminated box. This approach struck the right balance: professional yet bold, with a touch of Thor’s distinct personality.
In creating the client onboarding kit, we wanted to clearly showcase how Thor values each client and what they can expect in terms of service. We designed flash cards to make the content flexible, allowing for easy updates, additions, or deletions in the future. This approach ensures that Thor’s commitment to quality and service is always accurately reflected.
Thor flash cards showcasing business units, level of service, and their core values.
The Result
Thor didn’t create the onboarding kit with a hard-sell approach, its purpose was strategic: to build goodwill and trust by reflecting Thor’s core values in all they do. For Thor, these values are more than words—they’re practiced daily. At Web Wizards, we’ve seen firsthand how Thor’s employees embrace this culture naturally. They don’t boast about it, but it’s how they treat their colleagues, partners, and clients that makes all the diffference.
Thor’s brand stands out because integrity and trust are woven into everything they do. In an industry where mistrust can be common, Thor Plumbing and Heating sets itself apart. They show, in every interaction, that if something matters to you, it matters to them. It’s always a pleasure to work with Thor, and we trust in the process – and thank them for all the challenges they throw our way.
