Barricades and Signs

What Barricades and Signs does

Barricades and Signs Ltd. is a Canadian traffic management solutions provider operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Group since its December 2024 acquisition. The company manufactures compliant traffic signs across four provincial standards (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) plus custom configurations, using 3M-certified processes and approved reflective materials. Its product portfolio spans roadside safety equipment (water-filled barriers, crash cushions, MASH W-Beam guardrail systems, end treatments, TMA/TTMA attenuators), traffic control hardware (channelizers, delineator posts, traffic cones, posts and stands), and electronic safety devices including Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, Ver-Mac automated flagger assistance devices, electronic message boards, arrow boards, portable traffic signals, and speed readers. The company also distributes Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions designed to deliver real-time traffic information to enhance road safety and network coordination.

The company monetizes through four distinct revenue streams: hardware sales via an online shop and quote-based direct sales, equipment rentals with delivery/setup/removal options, professional traffic control services (flagging, lane closures, traffic management plans, full project support), and training services through the Universal Health and Safety Training Academy offering WorkSafeBC-approved TCP/Flagger certification. Sales are conducted via a sales-led go-to-market motion with 24/7 emergency response, direct phone and email channels, and a distribution partnership with Canoe Procurement Group of Canada for simplified municipal access. Pricing is uniformly quote-based with no public price list.

Geographically, Barricades and Signs focuses on Central Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) through offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg, while operating within the broader Universal Group network of 50+ locations across Canada (BC, Ontario, Quebec) and the US Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon). The company serves municipalities, construction contractors, and government agencies, with notable anchor engagements such as the Alberta Infrastructure Anthony Henday Ring Road project (over 14 km of movable steel barriers). Barricades and Signs was founded in 2004 in Edmonton, Alberta, and has executed multiple acquisitions (Safe Roads Highway Products and PGC Traffic in May 2022; Airmaster Sales Ltd. in March 2025) to expand its Central Canada footprint, subsequently rebranding the Airmaster Signs legacy under the unified Barricades and Signs brand in April 2026.

Name

Barricades and Signs

Legal name

Barricades and Signs Ltd.

Website

https://getbarricades.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Barricades and Signs is a Canadian traffic management solutions provider offering sign manufacturing, equipment rentals, professional traffic control services, and roadside safety products to municipalities, construction contractors, and government agencies across Central Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Traffic Management Services

NAICS

Sign Manufacturing (33995), Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Traffic Control & Work Zone Management (Flagging, Lane Closures) (BPABAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flagging & On-Site Traffic Control Labor Services (Flaggers, Spotters, Lane Closures) (TLAJALAG), Road Signage, Markings & Delineation (Regulatory/Warning/Guide Signs, Pavement Markings, Reflectors) (TLAJAGAB), Road Safety Barriers & Crash Attenuation Systems (Guardrails, Median Barriers, End Treatments) (TLAJAGAA), Work Zone Barrier Systems & Protection (Concrete Barriers, Water-Filled Barriers, Crash Cushions, Truck-Mounted Attenuators) (TLAJALAF), Portable/Temporary Signage & Message Systems (Temporary Signs, PCMS/VMS, Arrow Boards) (TLAJALAC)

Keywords

• Traffic control equipment
• Traffic management services
• Road safety products
• Highway signage manufacturing
• Work zone safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Traffic Control Equipment Sales: Sales of traffic signs, barricades, cones, delineators, crash cushions, guardrails, message boards, and other traffic safety equipment. Products available for purchase through online shop and quote requests.
2. Equipment Rentals: Rental traffic control equipment with delivery, setup, and removal options for short-term and long-term project needs. Includes traffic signs, barriers, message boards, arrow boards, and AFADs.
3. Traffic Control Services: Professional traffic control services including traffic management plans, flagging (TCPs/LCTs), lane closures, and full project support from experienced teams.
4. Training Services: Training courses through Universal Health and Safety Training Academy including TCP/Flagger certification, renewals, and private on-site courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Barricades and Signs manufactures and supplies traffic control equipment and signage—including regulatory, warning, and custom signs; roadside safety hardware such as water-filled barriers, crash cushions, guardrails, and end treatments; and electronic traffic devices like message boards and AFADs—while delivering professional traffic control services including flagging, lane closures, traffic management plans, equipment rentals with delivery and setup, supply and installation, and WorkSafeBC-approved TCP/Flagger certification training across Central Canada.

Product overview

Barricades and Signs is a comprehensive traffic management solutions provider offering an end-to-end portfolio of products and services. The core offering includes sign manufacturing (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and custom signs), traffic control services (flagging TCP/LCT, lane closures, traffic management plans), equipment rental and repairs, and ITS Solutions. The product portfolio spans roadside safety equipment (water-filled barriers, crash cushions, guardrail systems, end treatments, TMA/TTMA attenuators), traffic control hardware (channelizers, delineator posts, traffic cones, barricade accessories), electronic message boards and arrow boards, portable traffic signals, speed readers, and AFAD automated flagging devices. Services also include training certification and installation. As part of Universal Group, the company serves Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in Canada with over 4,000 sellable items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Universal Traffic: Traffic control services division serving British Columbia
• Universal Health & Safety
• Gitxsan Barricades

Products and services

• ITS Solutions

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ successful projects across Alberta with zero safety incidents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Universal GroupcoreOthers · 1 December 2024Universal Group acquired Barricades and Signs in December 2024. As a Universal Group company, Barricades and Signs is part of the largest traffic management and control services provider in Canada.
• Gitxsan Development CorporationstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024Joint venture partnership to form Gitxsan Barricades, providing top-quality traffic control solutions in Northern BC including signs, equipment rentals, and traffic management services. Combines Barricades and Signs' expertise with Indigenous economic development.
• Canoe Procurement Group of CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarricades and Signs is an approved supplier within Canoe Procurement's Traffic Supply Program, providing municipalities simplified access to traffic control services, custom signage, installations, and traffic safety equipment through the established procurement framework.
• Traffic Control Equipment ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with best manufacturers in the traffic control industry including North America Traffic (AFADs), Wanco (arrow boards), Ver-Mac (automated flaggers), and others to bring comprehensive solutions to customers.
• 3McoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of 3M reflective materials and products including 3M Stamark High Performance Pavement Marking. Using approved materials and 3M-certified processes for sign manufacturing.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AWP Safety: AWP Safety (formerly Area Wide Protective) is the largest traffic control services provider in North America, offering flagging, lane closures, equipment rentals, and signage across the US. It is the closest scale and business-model peer to Barricades and Signs and represents the natural US-side benchmark for Universal Group's ambitions.
• RoadSafe Traffic Systems: RoadSafe Traffic Systems provides traffic control, pavement marking, sign manufacturing, and equipment rental across the US. Like Barricades and Signs, it bundles manufactured products, rental fleet, and on-site traffic control services for state DOTs and contractors.
• ATS Traffic: ATS Traffic is a Canadian traffic management services company operating across Western Canada with traffic control personnel, equipment rentals, and signage. It is the most direct in-country competitor to Barricades and Signs in Alberta and BC.
• Stinson Equipment Services: Stinson Equipment Services provides traffic control services, equipment rentals, and traffic management plans across Western Canada. It directly overlaps with Barricades and Signs in Alberta and BC on municipal and contractor projects.
• Highway Technologies: Highway Technologies installs and services work zone traffic control, intelligent transportation systems, and roadside safety products across the US Midwest and beyond. Comparable on the ITS, TMA, and integrated work-zone services side of the business.

Broad incumbents

• Hill & Smith Holdings: Hill & Smith is a UK-listed infrastructure products group owning multiple roadside safety and traffic management brands globally (e.g., Valtir). It is a broad incumbent competing in guardrails, barriers, and road safety hardware - adjacent to Barricades and Signs' roadside safety and barrier categories.
• Valtir (formerly Trinity Highway Products): Valtir manufactures guardrail end treatments, crash cushions, and barriers - the same roadside safety categories Barricades and Signs distributes. A broad incumbent whose products Barricades and Signs sells alongside its own offerings.

Emerging players

• Ver-Mac: Ver-Mac is a Canadian manufacturer of portable traffic signals, AFADs, intelligent transportation systems, and message boards. It is both a Barricades and Signs supplier (Flagger-Mac AFAD) and a competitor for high-end portable ITS equipment rentals.
• Wanco: Wanco manufactures arrow boards, variable message signs, speed trailers, and traffic control equipment. As a key product supplier to Barricades and Signs, it also competes for the equipment rental/spec business on large projects.

Others

• 3M Traffic Safety Division: 3M supplies reflective sheeting, pavement marking tape, and related materials used in traffic signage and road markings. It is a key upstream supplier for Barricades and Signs' sign manufacturing (3M-certified processes) and shapes industry standards on reflectivity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BarricadesAndSigns
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/barricades-and-signs-ltd.
• Instagraminstagram.com/barricadesandsigns
• Xx.com/barricadesyeg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Barricades and Signs