![]() In 1968, Federal made four acquisitions: Western Industries Inc. Two products that brought in considerable revenues for Federal were its Autocall automatic fire warning system and VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Recorder and Computer), a speed detector that Federal had sold to police in fifteen states within one year.įederal adopted an acquisitions policy in the late 1960s, which allowed the company to develop businesses in the transportation services industry. By the late 1960s, Federal ’s signal division was outpacing its sign division, growing at a rate of 15 percent annually. Revenues from its fire warning systems, fire-truck lights, and public address systems grew an average of eight to ten percent a year. ![]() ![]() The market for protective fire equipment also grew considerably, and Federal ’s signal division profited from the growth. In fact, by 1970, the sign division accounted for 46 percent of Federal ’s total revenues of $59.8 million, and, of that 46 percent, the sign maintenance business brought in 13 percent. Unlike other companies in the industry, Federal leased its signs and also maintained them on a regular basis this value-added service bolstered Federal ’s profitability and stability. Over 4,200 independent businesses were in operation by 1970, and Federal became the largest supplier of electric signs in the United States. Net income reached $1 million that year, and sales hit a record $15 million.ĭuring the 1960s, demand for illuminated signs increased dramatically. By 1961, Federal Sign and Signal had gone public, trading on the NASDAQ market. During World War II, Federal provided sirens to warn Londoners of incoming air raids, and, after the war, the company ’s signs were used to illuminate Las Vegas casinos. The company ’s sales continued to grow, as new applications were discovered for its signs and signals. In the early 1930s, however, Insult ’s empire crumbled under the weight of the Great Depression, and Federal Electric was spun-off as an independent business under the name Federal Sign and Signal Corp. Federal Electric sold its sirens primarily to police and fire departments as well as coal mines, which needed an efficient way of warning miners of emergencies, while its electric light signs were used primarily at pharmacies, stores, and the kiosks of early nickelodeon movies.ĭuring this time, Federal Electric came under the ownership of Commonwealth Edison, eventually becoming a part of the utilities empire owned by Commonwealth founder Samuel In-sull. was one of the first electric sign companies in the nation.Īs electricity became common in businesses across the Midwest, Federal Electric ’s sign sales grew, and, in 1915, the company diversified its product line by purchasing the patents for an electrically operated siren. Incorporated in 1901, the Federal Electric Co. With $10,000 in capital, Goehst ’s technical skills, and Gilchrist ’s sales savvy, the team came up with the idea to develop and market store signs lit by incandescent lamps. At the turn of the century, Goehst and John Gilchrist worked for the burgeoning Commonwealth Edison Co., Goehst as an electrical engineer and Gilchrist as assistant to the manager of electricity sales. ![]() in Chicago by brothers John and James Gilchrist and a partner John Goehst. Since its inception in 1901, Federal Signal has quietly but steadily grown into a diversified international corporation, primarily through acquiring key companies for its four principal divisions: commercial signs, alarm signals, industrial tools, and emergency vehicles.įederal Signal was founded as the Federal Electric Co. 3993 Sign and Advertising Displays 3545 Machine Tool Accessories 3711 Motor Vehicles and Car Bodiesįederal Signal Corp., the nation ’s leading manufacturer of emergency vehicles and street sweepers, also produces signaling and communications equipment, industrial tools, and signs. SICs: 3669 Communications Equipment, Nee. Incorporated: 1901 as Federal Electric Co.
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