Compliance Signs: ‘Fastest Growing Company’

By LYNNETTE FORTH | For The Prairie Advocate News

A Chadwick company has been designated as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States as ranked by Inc. magazine, for the third year in a row. ComplianceSigns.com of Chadwick has earned a spot on the annual Inc. 5,000 list by achieving revenue growth of 119 percent over the past three years.

“It’s not easy for manufacturing companies to maintain enough growth to stay on this list, so we are thrilled to make the list for a third year,” said company president Paul Sandefer. “That feat and our rank as the number six manufacturer in Illinois are a real testament to our employees.”

Compliance Signs is a manufacturer of safety signs, and ranks as the sixth fastest growing manufacturer in Illinois, as well as 60th in the entire United States. Compliance Signs was the number 49 private manufacturing company in the country on the 2011 list.

“Safety signs aren’t glamorous, but our people take pride in their work and find innovative ways to help our customers. They don’t just take time to fill orders. It may sound cliché, but our people really do set us apart from other manufacturing companies.” Sandefer added, “The work ethic, pride, and competitive spirit of American Midwest workers allow companies like ours to compete and win against other companies anywhere in the world. We are very lucky to have so many wonderful people as part of our team.”

Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg says that Inc. 5000 companies including ComplianceSigns are spurring innovation, providing jobs and driving the economy forward.

“Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is,” he said. The companies on this year’s list report creating over 400,000 jobs in the past three years.

ComplianceSigns recently expanded operations in Chadwick, completing a 9,000 square foot addition to its facility and remodeling another 6,500 square feet. Paul Skoog of Chadwick is general manager in charge of operations there. The company also maintains administrative offices in Sterling, where company president Paul Sandefer lives. Approximately 50 employees work for the company.

ComplianceSigns was founded in 2004, and is a leading manufacturer of not only workplace safety signs, but parking signs, no smoking labels, Braille restroom signs, and other safety related signs. Many of the products are used by other small businesses to comply with state, federal, and local safety requirements, such as OSHA, ANSI, DOT, and NFPA standards.

For being chosen as an Inc. 5000 honoree, ComplianceSigns.com will receive public recognition by the magazine, including a company profile on its website. To view the complete list, go to http://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2012.

Congratulations, Compliance Signs.