Sign Manufacturing Industry Overview

Excerpt from Sign Manufacturing Report

Companies in this industry make signs used primarily to convey information and display advertising messages. Major companies include Brady Corporation, Daktronics, Posterloid (a division of The Alpine Group), and Young Electric Sign Company (all of the US), as well as Shingokizai (Japan) and Marahrens (Germany). The industry also includes the large electronic display divisions of major electronics manufacturers including Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and Sony (all of Japan), and Samsung (South Korea). Producers of paper and paperboard signs are not included in the industry.

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.