What GDS does

GDS is a U.S.-based architectural signage design-build firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, with additional offices in Ridgefield, CT and Concord, NH. The company provides end-to-end signage services — planning, wayfinding studies, graphic design, fabrication, installation, and project management — primarily to healthcare, education, and retail/commercial clients, and reports over 40,000 completed projects across its 25+ year operating history. Core technical capabilities sit in a 10,000 square-foot in-house fabrication facility equipped with CNC routers, waterjet cutting, laser engraving, paint booths, photopolymer processing, flatbed digital printing, print-and-cut systems, and UL-certified electrical workshops for LED, neon, and fluorescent systems; proprietary products include the Artificial Sky illuminated ceiling panel system and a modular insert-based signage system enabling rapid content swaps.

The business runs a dual go-to-market model. On one side, GDS sells standard code-compliant signage products (ADA restroom signs at ~$23.95, NFPA exit signs, health & safety signs at $11.50–$14.95) directly through an Amazon Prime storefront with hundreds of weekly orders, 0% Order Defect Rate, and Amazon's Choice/Best Seller designations; two dedicated DCS machines automate restocking. On the other side, GDS operates an enterprise field-sales motion supported by PMP-certified project managers managing over 100 active projects nationwide for healthcare networks, universities, and commercial property managers, with procurement enabled through GSA, Vizient, and Acurity contract vehicles. Anchor enterprise relationships include NYCH+H Gotham Health (15+ year vendor), Englewood Health (85+ projects since 2007), Mt. Sinai, NYU Langone, Hackensack Meridian, and VA facilities, alongside commercial logos such as Starbucks and the New York Yankees. The company is privately held and founder-controlled (President Joe Motta, Principal Mark Green), with no institutional funding disclosed.

Name

GDS

Legal name

GDS, Inc.

Website

https://gdssigns.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GDS is a 1996-founded architectural signage design-build firm serving healthcare, education, and commercial clients with ADA/NFPA-compliant and custom signage, operating a dual go-to-market of Amazon Prime e-commerce and enterprise field sales supported by GSA, Vizient, and Acurity contracts from a 10,000 sq ft fabrication facility in Hauppauge, NY.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Signage & Wayfinding Solutions

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Wayfinding, Signage & Environmental Graphic Design (BPAHAKAN)

Keywords

• Architectural signage solutions
• Wayfinding system design
• Code compliant signage
• Custom sign fabrication
• ADA compliant signage

Headquarters

HQ city

Astoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Signage Products and Project Services: GDS provides end-to-end custom signage programs including planning, design, fabrication, and installation for enterprise clients. Revenue is generated through project-based pricing via contract vehicles (GSA, Vizient, Acurity), catalog pricing for curated signage product families, and budget-driven value engineering. Long-term partnerships are maintained through recurring business and exclusive arrangements. Professional services including project management, site surveys, and consultation are bundled with fabrication and installation.
2. Amazon E-commerce / Self-Serve Product Sales: GDS sells standard code-compliant signage products (ADA-compliant restroom signs, exit signs, health & safety signs) directly to consumers through its Amazon storefront with Prime delivery. Products are priced from $11.50 to $23.95. The company services hundreds of weekly orders through this channel with 0% order defect rate and 5-star reviews. Products are designated as Amazon's Choice and Best Seller. Two automated DCS machines handle restocking orders, freeing the production shop to focus on major custom PO work.
3. Contract Pricing Through National Programs: GDS provides contract pricing through nationally recognized programs including GSA (General Services Administration), Vizient, and Acurity for government and healthcare clients, enabling preferred vendor status and streamlined procurement for institutional buyers.
4. ADA Lunch & Learn Training: GDS offers an Accessibility & ADA Lunch & Learn educational session for design professionals, architects, and facility managers, providing AIA credits upon completion. This positions GDS as a knowledge partner while generating professional services revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GDS designs, fabricates, and installs custom architectural signage and wayfinding systems for healthcare, education, commercial, and government clients. Their end-to-end offerings include planning, design, project management, fabrication (in a 10,000 sq ft facility), and installation of ADA/NFPA code-compliant signage, branded identification, digital graphics, and the proprietary Artificial Sky illuminated ceiling panel system. The company operates a dual go-to-market: enterprise field sales for large custom signage programs and Amazon Prime self-serve e-commerce for standard code-compliant products.

Product overview

GDS is a premier architectural signage solutions company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The core product portfolio includes Code Compliant Signage (ADA and NFPA compliant restroom, exit, and safety signs), Wayfinding Systems (interior and exterior navigation solutions with user experience studies), Branded Identification (custom tactile and donor recognition signage), Digital Graphics (large format printing and vinyl applications), and the proprietary Artificial Sky illuminated ceiling panel system. These products are supported by full-service capabilities including Planning, Design, Estimating, Fabrication (10,000 sq ft production facility), Installation, and Project Management. The company also operates an e-commerce store with Amazon Prime integration for direct product purchases. GDS serves primarily healthcare, education, and retail industries with over 40,000 completed projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artificial Sky Large-scale illuminated ceiling panel system that recreates the beauty and serenity of the open sky using customizable high-resolution imagery combined with energy-efficient LED lighting, transforming indoor environments into calming, immersive experiences for healthcare environments, offices, lobbies, retail, hospitality, and educational settings.
• Code Compliant Signage ADA and NFPA compliant signage solutions including restroom identification signs, exit signs, photoluminescent signage, and other code-compliant products available for purchase through Amazon Prime and the GDS store.
• Wayfinding Systems Interior and exterior wayfinding systems with comprehensive user experience studies and strategic design solutions to improve navigation and accessibility in built environments for healthcare, education, commercial, and institutional clients.
• Exterior Signage Outdoor architectural signage including channel letters, monument signs, post panels, and branded exterior identification for various commercial, healthcare, and institutional settings.
• Branded Identification Custom branded identification signage including donor recognition displays, tactile signs, reception signage, and individually branded design solutions for healthcare, education, and commercial clients.
• Digital Graphics Large format digital printing and vinyl graphics including wall wraps, ceiling panels, window graphics, and environmental graphic applications for interior environments.
• Planning Services Comprehensive project planning including site surveys, stakeholder consultation, traffic flow analysis, and structured project outlines with milestones and objectives for enterprise signage programs.
• Design Services In-house graphic, environmental, technical, and exhibit design including photo rendering, shop drawings, and user-driven digital design solutions for interactive and static wayfinding applications.
• Fabrication Services In-house 10,000 square feet production facility with CNC routers, waterjet cutting, laser engraving, paint booths, photopolymer processing, flatbed digital printing, print-and-cut systems, and UL-certified electrical work for neon, fluorescent, and LED lighting.
• Installation Services Professional installation with OSHA 10 certified technicians, a fleet of vehicles including bucket trucks and cranes, and full compliance with ADA and NFPA sign hanging regulations across nationwide projects.
• Project Management Services Dedicated PMP-certified project managers with cloud-based project tracking software handling over 40,000 completed projects across healthcare, education, hospitality, and commercial industries, with managers overseeing upwards of 100 active projects simultaneously.
• ADA Compliant Store Products Direct-purchase ADA compliant signage including restroom identification signs ($23.95), exit signs, and health and safety signs ($11.50-$14.95) available via the GDS online store and Amazon marketplace with Prime delivery in aluminum, black plastic, and gold finishes.
• ADA Lunch & Learn Training Accessibility & ADA Lunch & Learn educational session for design professionals, architects, and facility managers, providing AIA credits upon completion to position GDS as a code-compliance knowledge partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• GDS maintains 0% Order Defect Rate on Amazon with 5-star reviews on the majority of products offered through its e-commerce channel.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGDS operates a primary sales channel through Amazon's marketplace, selling standard code-compliant signage products (ADA, NFPA, exit, health & safety signs) directly to consumers. Products are available on Amazon Prime. GDS has built significant presence with Amazon's Choice and Best Seller designations, and services hundreds of weekly orders through this channel. Amazon's search algorithm is a key demand generation mechanism. Two DCS machines are dedicated to restocking Amazon orders.
• International Sign Association (ISA)coreOthersGDS is an active member of the International Sign Association (ISA). The company participates in ISA events, education programs, and networking. GDS team members are enrolled in the ISA Elite Program. GDS is also listed as an ISA member on the organization's website. Membership provides industry credibility, education, and professional development.
• Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD)coreOthersGDS is an active member of the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD). The company maintains active membership and participates in this leading professional organization for environmental graphic design and experiential signage.
• Northeast States Signs Association (NSSA)minorOthersGDS is a member of the Northeast States Signs Association (NSSA), a regional industry association covering the northeastern United States.
• General Services Administration (GSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGDS is a preferred vendor through GSA (General Services Administration) schedules/contracts, enabling federal government agencies to procure GDS signage products and services through established federal procurement channels. This is a significant channel for government facility signage projects.
• VizientcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGDS provides contract pricing through Vizient, a leading healthcare performance improvement company and group purchasing organization (GPO). This enables GDS to serve Vizient-member hospital networks and healthcare systems through established GPO procurement relationships.
• AcuritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGDS provides contract pricing through Acurity, a healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO). This partnership enables Acurity-member healthcare facilities to procure GDS signage through pre-negotiated contract terms.
• New York City Health + Hospitals (NYCH+H)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDS has been a 15+ year vendor to NYCH+H (New York City Health + Hospitals), the largest public health system in the United States. GDS has completed exterior branding refresh projects for Gotham Health facilities across all five boroughs of New York City, and provided wayfinding for pop-up Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a flagship long-term partnership involving multi-site, multi-year signage programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Allen Industries: Allen Industries designs, fabricates, and installs architectural signage and environmental graphics for healthcare, corporate, and retail clients. It is comparable to GDS as both deliver end-to-end signage programs with multi-region installation capabilities.
• Takeform Architectural: Takeform is a manufacturer of architectural signage and wayfinding solutions, including modular interior systems and code-compliant ADA signage. It is a direct peer to GDS in modular insert-based signage and healthcare wayfinding.
• Mohawk Sign Systems: Mohawk Sign Systems manufactures ADA-compliant architectural signage and wayfinding products for healthcare, education, and corporate environments. It is a direct peer to GDS in code-compliant signage and modular sign systems.
• Image360: Image360 is a franchised signage and graphics provider offering custom signs, vehicle graphics, and visual marketing solutions. It is comparable to GDS as both provide turnkey design-build signage services with commercial and enterprise clients.
• Poblocki Sign Company: Poblocki is a national architectural signage and wayfinding fabricator serving healthcare, education, corporate, and retail clients. It is a direct competitor to GDS in code-compliant signage, wayfinding systems, and branded identification for institutional environments.
• Signarama: Signarama is a franchised sign company offering custom signage, vehicle wraps, and banners through a global franchise network. It is comparable to GDS as both target SMB and enterprise signage buyers with a mix of retail and project-based sales.
• FASTSIGNS: FASTSIGNS is a franchised signage and graphics company offering custom signs, banners, vehicle wraps, and visual communications for businesses of all sizes. It is comparable to GDS as both offer an integrated design-fabrication-installation model with a multi-channel approach (franchise retail plus commercial accounts).
• ASI Signage Innovations: ASI (Architectural Signage Incorporated) is a design-build architectural signage firm serving corporate, healthcare, education, and government markets. It is a direct peer to GDS in code-compliant and wayfinding signage programs.

Others

• Grimco: Grimco is a wholesale distributor of sign-making supplies, equipment, and materials serving sign shops nationwide. It is an ecosystem participant to GDS, supplying substrates, inks, and fabrication tools used by similar signage manufacturers.

Emerging players

• Connexient (Everbridge): Connexient (acquired by Everbridge in 2020) was a digital indoor wayfinding and mapping platform, co-founded by Mark Green, current GDS Principal. It is comparable to GDS as a digital wayfinding adjacency, with overlap in healthcare navigation use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gdssigns

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 GDS