Gades Sales Co., Inc.

What Gades Sales Co., Inc. does

Gades Sales Co., Inc. is a privately held, woman-owned and veteran-managed traffic control equipment distributor and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) solutions provider headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1945. The company operates as an authorized distributor for more than 30 traffic equipment manufacturers and supplies state Departments of Transportation, municipal agencies, turnpike authorities, traffic contractors, and consulting engineering firms across a seven-state regional footprint covering Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and western Missouri.

The company's product portfolio spans traffic signals and hardware, signal cabinets and accessories, networking systems, traffic detection (video, radar, LiDAR, microwave, acoustic, and loop), LED traffic control signs, traffic calming solutions, backup power systems, and Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) with adaptive signal control and remote real-time monitoring capabilities. Technical differentiation centers on multi-vendor ITS device integration rather than proprietary technology, with AI-powered monitoring delivered through partner Currux Vision and central management via Genetec. The company also assembles traffic signal cabinets in-house and maintains field service technicians in each territory.

Gades Sales earns revenue through two primary streams: hardware sales (the larger share) of traffic control equipment from manufacturer partners, and professional services including on-site and remote troubleshooting, repair, technical support, and training. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, with no public price lists. The go-to-market is direct field sales through state-specific representatives covering each territory, supplemented by an annual Innovation Summit held in Wichita, KS. Customer acquisition is relationship-driven within state and municipal procurement frameworks, with all revenue tied to government-sector capital and operating budgets.

Name

Gades Sales Co., Inc.

Legal name

Gades Sales Co., Inc.

Website

https://gadestraffic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gades Sales Co., Inc. is a Wichita, Kansas-based, woman-owned distributor and integrator of traffic control equipment and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), serving state DOTs and municipal agencies across Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and western Missouri since 1945.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Traffic Equipment Sales: Sales of traffic control equipment including traffic signals, signal cabinets, ATMS/control systems, LED signs, networking equipment, detection systems, and backup power systems from manufacturer partners
2. Traffic Signal Repair Services: Repair and troubleshooting services with technicians available in each service territory. Includes remote troubleshooting capabilities and on-site repair.
3. Technical Support and Training: Post-sale technical support and training on products sold. Includes assistance with product selection and system configuration.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Gades Sales Co., Inc. distributes and integrates traffic control equipment, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and advanced traffic management systems (ATMS) for state and local government agencies, traffic contractors, and engineering firms across a seven-state region. The company operates as an authorized distributor for 30+ manufacturers and complements equipment sales with repair, troubleshooting, technical support, and training services performed by IMSA-certified field technicians in each service territory.

Product overview

Gades Sales Co., Inc. is a traffic control equipment distributor and solutions provider serving state and local departments of transportation. Their portfolio consists of a comprehensive suite of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and traffic control products organized around three core pillars: Traffic Signals & Hardware (including cabinets, networking, and detection systems), Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) featuring adaptive signal control and real-time monitoring capabilities, and supporting infrastructure like LED signs and backup power systems. The company acts as a distributor for multiple transportation control equipment manufacturers, offering products from brands including Tomar, Orange Traffic, Currux Vision, Bosch, Carmanah, Genetec, and others. Their solutions range from individual hardware components to integrated, computerized systems managing multiple intersections, with services including sales, repair, troubleshooting, and technical support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traffic Signals & Hardware
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
• Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
• Traffic Signal Cabinets & Accessories
• Traffic Signal Networking Systems
• Traffic Detection Systems
• Traffic Calming Solutions
• LED Traffic Control Signs
• Traffic Signal Backup Power & Batteries
• Traffic Equipment Sales
• Traffic Signal Repair

Quantifiable outcome

• Comprehensive after-sale support including repair technicians available in each service territory
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• TomarcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of traffic control equipment including signals and warning systems. Products sold through Gades Sales distribution network.
• Orange TrafficcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of traffic signals and control equipment. Gades Sales distributes their products in assigned territories.
• Currux VisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered traffic monitoring and detection technology provider. Solutions integrated into Gades Sales' ITS offerings.
• GeneteccoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of traffic management and security solutions including central traffic management systems. Gades Sales integrates their platforms.
• BoschcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor manufacturer of traffic control and detection equipment. Gades Sales distributes Bosch products including sensors and cameras.
• IntuicomsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvider of wireless communications equipment for traffic management systems. Products enable connectivity for ITS deployments.
• RadarVisionsupportingTechnology or IntegrationRadar-based traffic detection technology provider. Solutions offered as part of Gades Sales' detection portfolio.
• CarmanahsupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of LED traffic signs and solar-powered traffic solutions. Gades Sales distributes their products.
• Hutchinson Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner for the Graham Montgomery Traffic Signal Technician Internship & Apprenticeship Program. Provides technical instruction aligned with IMSA certifications.
• IQSightsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvider of traffic management software and analytics solutions.
• Anteria (Antaira)supportingTechnology or IntegrationIndustrial networking and communication equipment provider for traffic and transportation systems.
• GE CurrentsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLighting and infrastructure solutions including transportation lighting products.
• Eagle Traffic ControlsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTraffic control equipment manufacturer. Gades Sales distributes their products.
• EDI (Editraffic)supportingTechnology or IntegrationTraffic equipment manufacturer providing signals and control products.
• ValmontsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInfrastructure manufacturer providing poles and structures for traffic and lighting applications.
• PelcosupportingTechnology or IntegrationVideo surveillance and security solutions provider with traffic monitoring applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Econolite: Large U.S. incumbent providing traffic signal controllers, ATMS software, detection, and integrated ITS solutions to DOTs nationwide. Comparable as a competitor in the same product categories Gades distributes (signals, cabinets, detection, ATMS), but with proprietary products and a national sales footprint.
• Iteris: National ITS solutions provider offering detection, traffic management software, and smart mobility infrastructure consulting. Comparable as a competing supplier of detection technologies and ITS platforms to the same state DOT customers, with broader geographic reach and proprietary software.
• SWARCO: International traffic solutions group manufacturing signals, signs, parking systems, and ITS hardware with North American distribution. Comparable as both a potential manufacturer partner and competitor on traffic signal and signage opportunities in Gades' regional territory.
• Yunex Traffic: Major global ITS provider (formerly Siemens Traffic) supplying adaptive signal control, ATMS, and connected vehicle infrastructure to DOTs and municipalities. Comparable as a competitor for large-scale ITS modernization contracts that Gades Sales supports with its regional distribution model.

Direct peers

• PathMaster, Inc. Indiana-based regional traffic control equipment distributor and service provider serving Midwest DOTs and municipalities. Comparable as a mid-sized regional distributor combining equipment sales with in-territory repair and technical support for government customers.
• Western Systems: Texas/Oklahoma-based traffic control systems integrator and equipment distributor serving state DOTs and contractors. Comparable as a regional traffic systems provider combining equipment distribution with ITS integration and field service capabilities.
• Paradigm Traffic Systems: Southeast U.S. regional distributor of traffic signals, ITS, and intersection equipment serving state and municipal agencies. Comparable business model: multi-state regional footprint, manufacturer distributor relationships, and government customer concentration.
• Temple, Inc. Texas-based regional distributor of traffic signals, ITS equipment, and traffic control products serving state DOTs and municipalities. Closely comparable business model: authorized distributor for major manufacturers, in-territory field service, and full-service sales/repair/support to government agencies.
• Signal Service, Inc. Wisconsin-based traffic signal equipment distributor and service company serving municipal and state DOT customers in the upper Midwest. Directly comparable as a regional distributor with field service technicians and multi-manufacturer product portfolio.
• ARC Technology: Regional traffic solutions provider offering ITS equipment, signal systems, and integration services to government customers. Comparable as a regional distributor/integrator competing for similar state DOT and municipal procurement opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gades-sales-co-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Gades Sales Co., Inc.