Sign Manufacturing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry make signs used primarily to convey information and display advertising messages. Major US companies include Brady Corporation, Daktronics, PolyVision, and Posterloid (a division of The Alpine Group). Producers of paper and paperboard signs are not included in the industry.

The sign manufacturing industry in the US includes about 6,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $10 billion. High growth is forecast for the next two years. Key growth drivers include the proliferation of digital signage and an increase in commercial construction spending.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for signs is driven by many factors, including federal, state, and municipal spending on transit infrastructure; the rate of new nonresidential construction; and advertising spending. The profitability of individual companies depends on quality of workmanship and materials, customer service, and price. Large companies have advantages in purchasing power for raw materials, and can more easily service national accounts. Small companies can compete effectively through offering more personalized service. The industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 30 percent of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Typical products include roadway and traffic information signs; on-premises signs used by businesses (building-mounted, freestanding, and interior signs); off-premises billboards and other advertising signs; and signs that convey safety or other information in public areas, workplaces, or other facilities.

Types of on-premise, building-mounted signs include roof signs, window signs, canopy and awning signs, banners, and wall or fascia signs. On-premise freestanding types include...