Eastern Metal Signs and Safety

What Eastern Metal Signs and Safety does

Eastern Metal Signs and Safety is a privately held American manufacturer of MUTCD-compliant temporary traffic control and work-zone safety products, headquartered and produced at a single facility in Elmira, NY (1430 Sullivan St.). Founded approximately 75+ years ago and led by CEO and Founder Kevin Harrison, the company engineers, fabricates, and distributes a hardware catalog spanning the Apex family of MASH-certified portable sign stands (Tripod, Compact, Flex, Recoil, Dual Recoil MAX, Recoil-E, Zephyr, Econo Stand Pogo), MUTCD roll-up signs in multiple pocket and reflective-vinyl configurations, rigid regulatory and warning signs, TC2-series and 42-inch channelizer cones, Type I/II/III and A-frame barricades, aluminum/ABS/LED STOP/SLOW paddles, RoadMax stackable traffic drums, traffic flags, snow plow markers, barricade lights, and accessories including manhole guards and snow fencing. Proprietary technology centers on differentiated wind-deflection engineering — fiberglass leaf-spring, single-coil recoil, and dual-coil MAX systems — backed by six distinct FHWA MASH eligibility letters (WZ-348, WZ-435a, WZ-436a, WZ-438, WZ-448, WZ-470) and NCHRP-350 acceptance for legacy products.

The business model is primarily transactional B2B/contractor hardware sales: quote-based pricing ("Get a Quote" CTAs) with Net 30 credit terms, truck and pallet bulk discounts, custom-sign fabrication at quantity-and-complexity-driven pricing, and an XPress Program offering 24-72 hour rapid fulfillment on top-selling items. Revenue streams include direct e-commerce sales via the company storefront (easternmetalsignsandsafety.com), Amazon marketplace listings, and an authorized industrial distributor network, with field sales at industry trade shows such as CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Customer segments are vertically segmented — road construction contractors and municipalities/public works are primary, with secondary reach into schools/universities (pedestrian crossing), emergency management and first responders, utility and snow-removal operators, and commercial custom-sign buyers. The company maintains affiliate/sister brands Work Area Plastics (workareasafety.com) and Elmira Signs/Commercial Signs (elmirasigns.com), expanding the portfolio beyond temporary traffic control into adjacent work-area safety and commercial signage categories. No public listing, parent company, or external funding is disclosed.

Name

Eastern Metal Signs and Safety

Legal name

Eastern Metal Signs & Safety

Website

https://easternmetalsignsandsafety.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Eastern Metal Signs and Safety is a privately held, 75+ year American manufacturer of MUTCD-compliant traffic safety products, headquartered in Elmira, NY. It engineers and sells MASH-certified portable sign stands, roll-up signs, barricades, cones, and STOP/SLOW paddles to road contractors, municipalities, and emergency responders nationwide through direct e-commerce, Amazon, and industrial distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Traffic Safety Equipment

NAICS

Sign Manufacturing (339950), Printing and Related Support Activities (323)

SIC

Concrete Products, Except Block & Brick (3272)

akta.pro primary industry

Temporary Pavement Markings & Delineation (Tape, Temporary Striping, Raised Markers) (TLAJALAE)

Keywords

• Traffic safety products
• MUTCD-compliant signage
• Temporary traffic control
• Work zone equipment
• Road construction safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmira

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Traffic Safety Product Sales (Hardware): Direct sale of manufactured MUTCD-compliant traffic safety products including roll-up signs, sign stands, traffic cones, barricades, drums, paddles, and snow/ice equipment. Pricing subject to change; quote-based with Net 30 terms; FOB Elmira, New York. Custom products priced by quantity and complexity with non-refundable final sale.
2. Custom Signs and Specialty Products: Manufacture of custom signs and products to customer specifications in various sizes, colors, and materials. Pricing determined by quantity, complexity, artwork, and setup charges. All MUTCD signs are considered Standard Legends; custom sales are final and non-refundable.
3. Specialized Safety Kits and Combos: Curated kits bundling essential components for grab-and-go convenience: Sign & Stand Combos (roll-up sign + matching stand + flag holder bracket), Emergency Management Kits for utility companies and incident responders, and Pedestrian Crossing Kits for school zones and municipal crosswalks.
4. Distributor and Marketplace Resale Channel: Critical safety products and specialized kits sold via Amazon and authorized industrial distributors, providing rapid fulfillment through the XPress Program with 24 to 72 hour shipping on top-selling items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Eastern Metal Signs and Safety manufactures and sells MUTCD-compliant temporary traffic control and work zone safety products including roll-up signs, the proprietary Apex family of portable sign stands, rigid regulatory and warning signs, traffic cones, Type I/II/III and A-frame barricades, STOP/SLOW paddles, Roadmax stackable traffic drums, snow plow markers, and barricade warning lights. The company also produces custom signage manufactured to customer specifications and offers an XPress rapid-fulfillment program with 24 to 72 hour shipping on top-selling items. Manufacturing is conducted at the company's Elmira, New York facility, with distribution through a direct e-commerce storefront, the Amazon marketplace, and authorized industrial distributors serving contractors, municipalities, and emergency responders nationwide.

Product overview

Eastern Metal Signs and Safety sells a single, integrated catalog of MUTCD-compliant traffic-safety hardware — not a software platform with modules. The portfolio centers on roll-up signs paired with the Apex family of portable sign stands (Apex Tripod, Apex Compact, Apex Flex, Apex Recoil, Apex Dual Recoil MAX, Econo Stand Pogo, and the Zephyr stand) plus rubber bases, complemented by rigid regulatory and warning signs (including Pedestrian Crossing R1-6/R1-6a), TC2-series and 42" channelizer cones, Type I/II/III and A-frame barricades, aluminum/ABS/LED STOP/SLOW paddles, Roadmax stackable traffic drums, traffic flags, snow plow markers, 300/400-series barricade lights, and accessories such as manhole guards, snow fencing, and vertical panels. The XPress Program wraps expedited fulfillment around the entire catalog, and FHWA MASH / NCHRP-350 crashworthy acceptance is maintained across the core sign-stand and barricade lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RoadMax: Stackable traffic drums with reflective sheeting for traffic tapering and work zone channelization.
• Apex
• XPress Program
• Visual Alert

Products and services

• Apex Tripod Sign Stand Heavy-duty galvanized steel tripod portable sign stand supporting 36" and 48" roll-up and rigid signs for temporary traffic control in highway work zones; FHWA MASH Approved WZ-448 with adjustable mast (14" minimum bottom height), 18 lb base weight, and universal sign compatibility.
• Apex Compact Sign Stand Compact portable sign stand from the Apex family engineered for roll-up signs in temporary work zones; FHWA MASH WZ-435a approved and the industry-standard non-wind-deflectable model for temporary traffic control.
• Apex Flex Compact Sign Stand Compact portable sign stand with an adjustable fiberglass leaf-spring system engineered for maximum lateral stability in high-wind environments; features telescoping legs, mechanical pin release, and FHWA MASH WZ-470 certification for federal and state road projects.
• Apex Recoil Compact Sign Stand Compact portable sign stand with a single coil-spring wind-deflection system, telescoping legs, and anti-skid nylon caps; absorbs intense gusts and truck drafts and snaps back into place; FHWA MASH WZ-436a approved with rust-resistant aluminum construction; NCHRP-350 Accepted for use with all roll-up signs.
• Apex Dual Recoil MAX Sign Stand Full-size portable sign stand with a heavy-duty dual-coil spring wind-deflection system and hybrid steel body with aluminum legs and mast for a low center of gravity; FHWA MASH WZ-438 certified and supports both rigid and roll-up signs at varying heights.
• Econo Stand Pogo Economy pogo-style portable sign stand supporting roll-up signs for temporary work-zone deployment, offering a lower-cost alternative within the sign stand product line.
• Zephyr Sign Stand Portable sign stand branded Zephyr, supporting roll-up signs for temporary traffic control applications in work zones.
• Flasher-Style Sign Rubber Base Heavy rubber base accessory for flasher-style sign stands providing weighted stability for portable roll-up signs in work zones; holds 36"x36" roll-up signs with 32 lbs weight and meets MUTCD specifications; NCHRP-350 Accepted.
• Stacker Rubber Base Stackable rubber base used with sign stands to add weighted stability and enable stacking for transport and storage in work zone operations.
• MUTCD Compliant Roll-Up Signs Portable roll-up vinyl/fabric traffic signs engineered to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for temporary work-zone use; constructed with two orange fiberglass battens that crisscross the back, available in Lexan pocket, half Lexan, Lock Pocket, and sewn pocket configurations, and offered in high-quality retro-reflective and non-reflective materials including Super Bright, Marathon, Diamond Grade, and NRFVO vinyl options.
• Rigid Regulatory and Warning Signs Rigid aluminum traffic signs including regulatory signs (speed limit, stop, yield) and diamond-shaped warning signs for alerting road users to permanent or temporary roadway conditions; MUTCD-compliant for permanent or semi-permanent installation.
• Pedestrian Crossing Signs (R1-6, R1-6a) MUTCD R1-6 and R1-6a pedestrian crossing signs in rigid construction for marking designated pedestrian crossings, school zones, and municipal crosswalks; part of the Pedestrian Crossing product line and Pedestrian Crossing Kits.
• Traffic Cones (TC2 Series and Channelizer) PVC traffic cones for lane delineation, channelization, and short-term work-zone use, including the TC2-series with black base and the 42-inch stackable channelizer cone for higher-visibility, taller delineation needs in work zones.
• Barricades (Type I, Type II, Type III, A-Frame) Work-zone barricades including Type I lightweight barricade (one reflective rail) for pedestrian and vehicular traffic control, Type II barricade (two reflective rails per side) for road and street closures, Type III barricade (three reflective rails) for full road closures, and A-frame folding barricade for sidewalk closures and indoor/outdoor maintenance.
• STOP/SLOW Paddles (Aluminum, ABS Plastic, LED) STOP/SLOW paddles used by flaggers to manually direct traffic in temporary work zones, available in aluminum construction, lighter-weight ABS plastic, and LED-illuminated Visual Alert variants for superior visibility in night and low-light traffic flagging conditions.
• Roadmax Stackable Traffic Drum Stackable polyethylene traffic drum (Roadmax brand) with reflective sheeting used for channelization, traffic tapering, and delineation in highway work zones.
• Traffic Flags High-visibility traffic flags used by flaggers to manually direct and warn motorists at work zones as part of the flagger tool kit.
• Snow Plow Markers / Vehicle Markers USA-made snow plow marker guides built from low-temperature nylon with reinforced steel end caps and a 2" reflective band; available in 28", 36", and 48" heights and sold as a pair with mounting hardware for enhancing visibility of vehicles and roadside features in winter conditions.
• 300 Series Barricade Warning Light 300-series battery-powered LED/flasher barricade warning light for night-time work-zone delineation on Type I/II/III barricades.
• 400 Series Barricade Warning Light 400-series barricade warning light used on Type I/II/III barricades to enhance visibility after dark in work zones.
• Manhole Guard Manhole guard/cover accessory designed to provide a physical barrier over open manholes during work operations.
• Snow Fencing Snow fencing for controlling drifting snow and marking perimeters on roadways and worksites during winter operations.
• Vertical Panel Vertical-panel delineator used to channelize traffic and mark transitions in work zones; constructed with UV-stabilized HDPE/LDPE impact blend, assembled height of 45.6", and certified under FHWA Control No. WZ-348 with MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) crashworthy acceptance.
• XPress Program Rapid-fulfillment service program shipping top-selling traffic safety items including the Steel Compact Stand and MUTCD-compliant Roll-Up Signs within 24 to 72 hours for time-sensitive work zone and emergency response needs.
• Custom Signs and Specialty Products Custom signs and specialty products manufactured to customer specifications in various sizes, colors, and materials; pricing determined by quantity, complexity, artwork, and setup charges with non-refundable final-sale terms for custom orders.
• Specialized Safety Kits and Combos Curated kits bundling essential components for grab-and-go convenience, including Sign & Stand Combos (roll-up sign + matching stand + flag holder bracket), Emergency Management Kits for utility companies and incident responders, and Pedestrian Crossing Kits for school zones and municipal crosswalks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 to 72 hour shipping on top-selling XPress Program items including Steel Compact Stand and MUTCD-compliant Roll-Up Signs.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship distribution channel, adjacent brand portfolio, core distribution channel and regulatory relationship (not a commercial partnership).

• Amazonflagship distribution channelChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEastern Metal Signs and Safety's critical safety products and specialized kits are available for purchase on Amazon, enabling rapid fulfillment to contractors, municipalities, and emergency responders nationwide. The marketplace listing complements the company's own e-commerce storefront and authorized industrial distributor network. Products offered via Amazon leverage the XPress Program's 24 to 72 hour shipping promise.
• Work Area Plasticsadjacent brand portfolioStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork Area Plastics (workareasafety.com) appears in the main navigation of easternmetalsignsandsafety.com as a sister/affiliated property, indicating a related brand within the company's product ecosystem for work area safety products.
• Elmira Signs (Commercial Signs)adjacent brand portfolioStrategic or Co-development PartnerElmira Signs / Commercial Signs (elmirasigns.com) is linked from easternmetalsignsandsafety.com as an affiliated brand for commercial signage, suggesting an expanded product portfolio beyond temporary traffic control into broader commercial sign offerings.
• Authorized Industrial Distributorscore distribution channelChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEastern Metal Signs and Safety's most critical safety products and specialized kits are available through a network of authorized industrial distributors, enabling broad market penetration to contractors, municipalities, utility companies, and incident responders.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)regulatory relationship (not a commercial partnership)OthersFHWA sets the MUTCD standards and hardware eligibility (WZ letter) requirements that govern Eastern Metal's product certifications. While not a commercial partner, the FHWA relationship is foundational: per the AASHTO/FHWA Joint Implementation Agreement, any temporary work zone device manufactured after December 31, 2019 must be successfully tested to MASH 2016. Eastern Metal's products carry multiple WZ certifications (WZ-348, WZ-435a, WZ-436a, WZ-438, WZ-448, WZ-470).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dicke Safety Products: Long-standing US traffic safety products manufacturer offering signs, cones, flags, and work-zone accessories. Comparable scale, channel mix, and product breadth to Eastern Metal.
• Pexco (Davidson Traffic Control Products): Manufactures plastic traffic control products including delineator posts, barricades, and channelizers through its Davidson brand. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer segments to Eastern Metal's drum and delineator lines.
• TrafFix Devices: Manufactures MUTCD-compliant traffic control products including sign stands, barricades, cones, drums, and delineators. Directly competes with Eastern Metal in portable sign stands and work-zone hardware for contractors and DOTs.
• Plasticade: Major US manufacturer of traffic cones, barricades, sign stands, and channelizers. Competes head-to-head with Eastern Metal on cones, barricades, drums, and rigid/roll-up sign hardware sold through similar distribution channels.
• RoadSafe Traffic Systems: Provider of work-zone safety products and services to DOTs and contractors, including traffic control equipment rentals and sales. Overlaps with Eastern Metal on work-zone hardware and serves the same municipal/contractor buyer base.
• Cortina Safety Products: Manufacturer and distributor of traffic cones, delineators, and work-zone safety products. Overlapping catalog and customer base (contractors, municipalities) makes it a direct competitor to Eastern Metal's cone and barricade lines.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Traffic Safety Division: Supplies reflective sheeting and work-zone safety products used by sign fabricators and DOTs globally. While a much larger and more diversified player, its traffic-safety offerings intersect with Eastern Metal's reflective roll-up and rigid sign materials.
• Hill & Smith Inc. International infrastructure safety products group operating in work-zone safety, barriers, and traffic management. Broader portfolio and geographic reach than Eastern Metal but overlaps on highway safety hardware sold to DOTs and contractors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/emsignssafety

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Eastern Metal Signs and Safety