Auto Trim and Sign

What Auto Trim and Sign does

Auto Trim and Sign is a single-location custom vehicle graphics, lettering, and sign production business based in Bernardston, Massachusetts, serving Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and New Hampshire. Founded in February 1979 by Fred Wheeler originally as Trim Line, the company provides three core services: custom graphics and racing stripes using high-performance automotive films, vinyl vehicle lettering with reflective and gold leaf options for municipal and commercial fleets, and sign manufacturing in materials including aluminum, banners, corrugated plastic, magnetics, PVC, and window graphics. Its primary customers are local municipal departments (police, fire, DPW, ambulances), small commercial businesses seeking mobile advertising, and individual vehicle owners seeking personalization.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer service model with quote-based, one-time project pricing; customers engage via phone, website contact form, walk-in consultation, or mobile installation for larger vehicles. The company maintains a modest digital presence through its website, Facebook, and Instagram, with the majority of demand sourced through word-of-mouth and 45+ years of community reputation. There is no platform technology, API, or proprietary software — the underlying capability is specialized craftsmanship in vinyl and film application.

On January 1, 2026, the business was acquired by 413 Upfitting LLC, owned by Aaron Budine, following founder Fred Wheeler's retirement after 45+ years. The transition included a multi-month mentorship where Wheeler transferred application techniques to Budine. Operations relocated to the 413 Upfitting Garage at 546 Northfield Road, Bernardston, co-locating with the acquirer's vehicle upfitting business. The new owner has signaled intent to add new service offerings and expand municipal and commercial reach across the three-state service region, though financial scale remains undisclosed and headcount stands at approximately 10 employees.

Name

Auto Trim and Sign

Legal name

Auto Trim & Sign

Website

https://autotrimandsign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Auto Trim and Sign is a single-location custom vehicle graphics, vinyl lettering, and sign production business in Bernardston, MA, serving municipal departments, small businesses, and individuals across Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and New Hampshire. Acquired by 413 Upfitting LLC in January 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Signage and Custom Graphics Services

NAICS

Sign Manufacturing (33995)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Exterior Trim & Appearance Components Manufacturing (Moldings/Badges/Grilles/Chrome/Cladding) (IMACAKAE)

Keywords

• Vehicle signage
• Custom graphics
• Vinyl lettering
• Commercial signs
• Racing stripes

Headquarters

HQ city

Bernardston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Vehicle Lettering and Signage: One-time custom lettering and signage services for vehicles including cars, trucks, and fleet vehicles. Services include design, production, and installation of vinyl graphics.
2. Custom Graphics and Racing Stripes: Automotive customization services using high-performance films for aesthetic modifications to vehicles.
3. Sign Production: Manufacturing and installation of various signage types including aluminum signs, banners, corrugated plastic, magnetic signs, PVC, and window graphics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Auto Trim and Sign designs, produces, and installs custom vehicle signage, vinyl lettering, custom graphics, racing stripes, and commercial/municipal signs for customers in Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and New Hampshire. The business delivers full-service work from initial design through fabrication and on-vehicle or on-site installation, using specialty materials including reflective vinyls and gold leaf. Founded as Trim Line in 1979 and rebranded to Auto Trim and Sign, the company operates out of Bernardston, MA with a team of approximately 10 employees.

Product overview

Auto Trim and Sign is a local vehicle signage and custom graphics business offering three core services: Custom Graphics and Racing Stripes (using high-performance automotive films for personalized vehicle designs), Vehicle Lettering (vinyl lettering, reflective materials, and gold leaf for commercial, municipal, and personal vehicles), and Signs (various materials for commercial and personal signage needs). The company operates as a single-location service provider without a platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Graphics and Racing Stripes Design, production, and installation of custom graphics, racing stripes, and decorative striping on vehicles for auto enthusiasts, dealerships, and commercial vehicle owners.
• Vehicle Lettering Custom vinyl lettering and decals applied to commercial and municipal vehicles, including fleet branding, business identification, and government markings using specialty materials such as reflective vinyl and gold leaf.
• Custom Signs Design, fabrication, and installation of custom commercial and municipal signage for businesses, government agencies, and other organizations across Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Quantifiable outcome

• Advertising impact for fraction of cost compared to other marketing channels

Named customers9 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 413 Upfitting LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026413 Upfitting LLC, owned by Aaron Budine, acquired Auto Trim and Sign as of January 1, 2026. Former owner Fred Wheeler retired after 45+ years. Auto Trim and Sign relocated to 413 Upfitting Garage at 546 Northfield Road in Bernardston. Aaron Budine was a longtime customer of Fred's before acquiring the business, demonstrating confidence in the quality of work. The acquisition allows both businesses to operate under one roof and expand services to municipal and commercial clients throughout the region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Image360: Sign and graphics solutions franchise offering custom signage, vehicle wraps, and branded environments. Directly comparable business serving local commercial customers.
• Signarama: World's largest sign franchise offering custom signs, vehicle graphics, banners, and digital signage. Comparable in service mix and SMB/enterprise customer targeting.
• FastSigns: Franchised sign and graphics company with hundreds of locations offering custom signs, vehicle graphics, and banners. Most directly comparable as a multi-location vehicle lettering/sign franchise serving small business and commercial customers.
• Monster Image: Vehicle wrap and custom graphics specialist serving commercial fleets and individual customers. Closely comparable in custom vehicle appearance services.
• Car Wrap City: Vehicle wrap specialist offering color change wraps, custom graphics, and commercial fleet branding. Directly comparable in the custom vehicle appearance service offering.
• SpeedPro Imaging: Vehicle wrap and large-format graphics franchise specializing in fleet branding, vehicle wraps, and custom graphics. Directly comparable in the vehicle customization segment with similar municipal/commercial customer base.
• Metro Signs: Commercial signage and vehicle graphics provider offering fabrication, installation, and lettering services. Comparable mid-sized regional operator with similar service mix.
• Signs Now: Sign and graphics franchise producing custom signage, vehicle wraps, and decals for commercial customers. Closely comparable service mix to Auto Trim and Sign's three core offerings.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Commercial Solutions: Major manufacturer of the reflective vinyls, films, and graphic materials that Auto Trim and Sign uses. Adjacent as the upstream materials supplier rather than a direct competitor, but broadly shapes the vehicle graphics industry.

Others

• Avery Dennison: Global manufacturer of pressure-sensitive vinyl films and graphic materials used in vehicle wraps and signage. Comparable as the primary alternative materials supplier to 3M in this space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Auto-Trim-and-Sign-150719848297190
• Instagraminstagram.com/autotrimfred
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auto-trim-and-sign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Auto Trim and Sign