Plasticade
Plasticade is a US-based manufacturer of MASH-approved and MUTCD-compliant traffic safety and signage products, including barricades, cones, channelizers, roll-up signs, and sign frames. It serves government/municipal road work zones, national restaurant and retail chains, schools, and data centers via wholesale distributors and a retail sign shop network across the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersDes Plaines, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Plasticade does
Plasticade is a privately held US manufacturer of plastic traffic safety and signage products, headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, and owned by Radial Equity Partners since October 2024. The company produces MASH-approved and MUTCD-compliant hardware including Type I/II/III barricades, cones and cone bars, channelizers, delineators, roll-up signs, water-filled barricades (the proprietary Hydrocade system), liquid surge stabilizers, speed bumps and parking stops, and a full line of sign frames (A-frames, quick-change frames, wind signs, yard signs, portable sign posts). Underlying technology centers on plastic molding with custom color and logo capabilities, recycled rubber molding via the SDI Rubber sub-brand, and MASH-tested device engineering; products are specified to meet FHWA MUTCD standards for federally-funded road work. The company also operates American Louver, an adjacent subsidiary producing plastic HVAC grilles and diffusers, and Plasticade Canada for cross-border distribution.
Plasticade makes money through B2B hardware sales on a quote-based, pay-as-you-go model. The go-to-market is dual-channel: traffic safety products move through a wholesale supply distributor network targeting government, municipal, and industrial contractors, while sign frames are sold through a Sign Shop Locator network of 100+ retail sign shops across the US and Canada, supplemented by a Sign Shop Partner Program and a dedicated National Projects team for multi-location enterprise rollouts. Named customers include MOD Pizza, Crumbl, Dippin' Dots, and Panera for curbside and storefront signage.
In January 2026 the company executed two strategic transactions under Radial's ownership: a merger with Cortina, a traffic and work zone safety manufacturer, under common ownership with the Giannelli family retaining a stake, and the acquisition of Mr. Chain, a 1960-founded manufacturer of plastic chains, stanchions, delineators, and cones. The combined entity, with Matt Soule (former Ennis-Flint CEO) serving as interim CEO, is positioned as a consolidated traffic and crowd-control safety products platform.
Plasticade firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plasticade
- Legal name
- Plasticade
- Website
- https://plasticade.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Plasticade is a US-based manufacturer of MASH-approved and MUTCD-compliant traffic safety and signage products, including barricades, cones, channelizers, roll-up signs, and sign frames. It serves government/municipal road work zones, national restaurant and retail chains, schools, and data centers via wholesale distributors and a retail sign shop network across the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Plasticade is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Plaines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Plasticade business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Traffic Safety Products: Direct B2B sales of traffic control devices including barricades, cones, delineators, roll-up signs, and safety equipment through wholesale distributors
- Sign Frames: Sale of sign frame products including A-frames, sandwich boards, wind signs, yard signs, and portable sign posts through retail sign shops and distributors
- Sign Shop Partner Program: Partner program providing sign shops with free listings, countertop displays, and marketing materials to drive sales through distribution network
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale distributor pricing for traffic safety products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Plasticade product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plasticade manufactures and markets plastic traffic safety devices (barricades, cones, channelizers, delineators, roll-up signs, water-filled barricades, speed bumps/parking stops) and portable sign frame products (A-frames, yard signs, wind signs, portable sign posts). Products are sold through wholesale supply distributors for traffic safety applications and through a network of authorized sign shops (Sign Shop Locator) for sign frame products, with a dedicated National Projects team handling large multi-location rollouts.
Product overview
Plasticade offers a diversified portfolio of physical traffic safety and signage products organized into four main product lines: Traffic Safety Products (barricades, Type I/II/III barricades, barricade lights, channelizers, cones and cone bars, curb ramps, delineators, glare screens, liquid surge stabilizers, roll-up signs, rubber products, safety signage, speed bumps/humps/parking stops, trench covers, watchdog sign stands, water filled barricades, and wheel chocks), Sign Frame Products (quick-change frames, A-frames/sandwich boards, indoor sign stands, wind signs, yard signs, portable sign posts, and accessories), SDI Rubber Products (molded recycled rubber for parking lot and fleet management), and American Louver HVAC Products (plastic grilles and diffusers). The company also operates a Sign Shop Locator service connecting customers with authorized dealers across the US and Canada, and has expanded through acquisitions including Mr. Chain. The company sells through wholesale supply distributors for traffic safety products and through retail sign shops for sign frames.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hydrocade: Water Barricade System - MASH Approved water-fillable channelizing system
- Watchdog
- SDI Rubber
- Navicade
- Crowdcade
Products and services
- Traffic Safety Products
- Sign Frame Products Durable sign stands and frames for advertising and promotion, including A-frames/sandwich boards, quick-change frames, yard signs, wind signs, indoor sign stands, and portable sign posts, available in small, medium, large and extra large sizes. Sold to multi-location restaurant and retail chains, gas and convenience stores, real estate, trade shows, and through a network of authorized sign shops (Sign Shop Locator) and the National Projects team.
- SDI Rubber Products Molded recycled rubber products for the traffic safety, parking lot, and fleet management industries, including speed bumps, speed humps, and parking stops. Sold to commercial property owners, fleet operators, and parking lot managers.
- American Louver HVAC Products Plastic HVAC grilles and diffusers engineered to be indistinguishable from metal, sold under the American Louver subsidiary brand to HVAC contractors, builders, and facilities.
- Mr. Chain Safety and Crowd Control Products Plastic chains, stanchions, delineators, cones, and related accessories for traffic safety, crowd control, and barrier applications, manufactured under the Mr. Chain brand acquired by Plasticade in January 2026. Sold to event organizers, retailers, government agencies, and safety managers.
- Sign Shop Locator Online directory service connecting customers with authorized sign shops throughout the United States and Canada that sell Plasticade Sign Frames, supporting lead generation for the Sign Shop Partner Program and the company's reseller network.
Quantifiable outcome
- MASH Approved devices engineered for most demanding traffic applications
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Plasticade
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Plasticade technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Plasticade partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mr. ChaincorePlasticade acquired Mr. Chain in January 2026 to expand its presence in the safety market and broaden its lineup of traffic safety, crowd control, and barrier products. Mr. Chain, founded in 1960 by the Russo family, manufactures plastic chains, stanchions, delineators, cones, and related accessories.
- CortinacoreRadial Equity Partners acquired Cortina (a leading manufacturer of traffic and work zone safety products) and merged it with Plasticade under common ownership. The Giannelli family retained an ownership stake. Cortina President Jeffrey Giannelli continues in his role. The transaction creates a company combining two major brands in the traffic safety products industry.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Plasticade competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TrafFix Devices: TrafFix Devices is a direct competitor manufacturing traffic safety and work zone products including barricades, signs, delineators, and channelizers. Highly comparable in product mix, customer base (DOTs, contractors, municipalities), and certification-driven go-to-market.
- Ennis-Flint (Ennis): Ennis is a direct peer in traffic safety markings and work zone products. Comparable as both a supplier to roadway contractors and a former employer of Plasticade's interim CEO Matt Soule, indicating close competitive and labor-market overlap.
- Pexco: Pexco (a Sigma Plastics company) is a direct peer producing plastic traffic safety products including channelizers, delineator posts, and barricade components. Highly comparable in materials, customer base, and product engineering focus.
- Dicke Safety Products: Dicke Safety Products is a direct peer manufacturing traffic safety devices including flags, signs, and warning products for road construction and utility work. Comparable in distribution model and DOT/municipal customer base.
- Carmanah Technologies: Carmanah Technologies designs and manufactures solar-powered traffic safety and signaling products, including barricade lights and work zone visibility systems. Comparable as a direct peer in the LED/solar traffic safety device category.
Broad incumbents
- Hill & Smith: Hill & Smith is a larger, UK-listed infrastructure safety group operating galvanizing, fencing, and traffic safety product lines. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the work-zone safety category with international footprint.
- Valmont Industries: Valmont Industries is a large, diversified infrastructure products manufacturer with significant traffic safety and roadway product exposure (poles, structures, traffic systems). Comparable as a broader incumbent rather than a niche specialist.
- Trinity Industries: Trinity Industries operates a Highway Products segment including guardrail, end terminals, and other roadway safety infrastructure. Comparable as a much larger incumbent serving similar DOT/customer accounts.
Regional players
- SWARCO: SWARCO is an Austria-headquartered traffic safety and intelligent transportation systems provider with road marking, signage, and traffic management offerings. Comparable product portfolio but primarily competing in EMEA rather than North America.
- Saferoad Group: Saferoad Group is a European provider of road safety infrastructure including barriers, signage, and work-zone products. Comparable in product scope but operating primarily in European markets rather than competing directly in Plasticade's US/Canada territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Plasticade social profiles
Digital presencePlasticade compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Plasticade financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plasticade leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Plasticade subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Plasticade funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plasticade M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plasticade
What does Plasticade do?
Plasticade manufactures and markets plastic traffic safety devices (barricades, cones, channelizers, delineators, roll-up signs, water-filled barricades, speed bumps/parking stops) and portable sign frame products (A-frames, yard signs, wind signs, portable sign posts). Products are sold through wholesale supply distributors for traffic safety applications and through a network of authorized sign shops (Sign Shop Locator) for sign frame products, with a dedicated National Projects team handling large multi-location rollouts.
Is Plasticade a public or private company?
Plasticade is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Plasticade founded?
Plasticade was founded in 1954. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Plasticade based?
Plasticade is headquartered in Des Plaines, United States, in the North America region.
How does Plasticade make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Traffic Safety Products are the primary driver. The others are sign Frames and sign Shop Partner Program.
Who are Plasticade's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TrafFix Devices, Ennis-Flint (Ennis), Pexco, Dicke Safety Products and Carmanah Technologies. Broad incumbents are Hill & Smith, Valmont Industries and Trinity Industries. Regional players are SWARCO and Saferoad Group.
Does Plasticade have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plasticade.