The Federal Electric Co., a manufacturer of electric signs is incorporated in Illinois by brothers John and James Gilchrist and partner John Goehst.
The young company diversifies its growing product line by purchasing the patents for an electrically operated siren.
Federal Electric comes under the ownership of Commonwealth Edison, becoming part of the utility empire of Samuel Insull.
The company becomes independent again and sales continue to grow as new applications for its signs and signals are developed. During World War II, the company provides sirens to warn Londoners of incoming air raids, and, after the war, its signs are used to illuminate Las Vegas casinos.
The company is renamed the Federal Sign and Signal Corporation with a focus on warning with products such as police sirens, fire alarms, and outdoor lighting.
The company goes public, trading on the NASDAQ exchange. Net income reaches $1 million and sales hit a record $15 million. Federal Sign and Signal subsequently joins the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 1969, trading under the ticker symbol FSS.
After changing the company’s name to Federal Signal Corporation, the corporate offices are moved to Oak Brook, IL.
Elgin Sweeper Co., the leading manufacturer and pioneer in street sweeping machines, is acquired.
Aplicaciones Tecnologicas Vama S.L., a leading European manufacturer of emergency vehicular signaling products located in Barcelona, Spain, is acquired.
Guzzler Manufacturing, Inc., an Alabama-based manufacturer of state-of-the-art vacuum technology is acquired, providing a wide range of mobile vacuum solutions to support existing and new markets.
The Pullman Company is acquired and renamed Vactor Manufacturing. Based in Streator, IL, Vactor has since become the industry standard for sewer cleaners in municipal markets.
Jetstream of Houston is acquired, providing a comprehensive range of innovative and automated industrial cleaning solutions.
Vactor introduces the HXX, a dedicated hydroexcavator designed specifically for safe-digging applications.
The manufacturing of Guzzler industrial vacuum loaders is moved to the Vactor manufacturing facility in Streator, IL, to create greater product synergies and manufacturing economies.
The traditional Q Siren sound is trademarked, making Federal Signal the first manufacturer in the fire industry to trademark the sound of a siren.
Dennis J. Martin is appointed President and CEO.
Elgin Sweeper celebrates 100 years of manufacturing street sweepers.
Jennifer L. Sherman is appointed President and CEO and joins the Board of Directors. Dennis J. Martin is elected Chairman of the Board.
Westech Vac Systems, a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality, rugged vacuum trucks, is acquired.
Federal Signal announces the growth of its North American business with the acquisition of Joe Johnson Equipment (JJE), a leading Canadian-based distributor of maintenance equipment for municipal and industrial markets.
Truck Bodies and Equipment International (TBEI) is acquired, making Federal Signal the owner of six dump truck body and trailer brands, including Crysteel, DuraClass, Rugby, Ox Bodies, Travis, and J-Craft.
Vactor introduces TRUVAC, a brand of premium vacuum excavator trucks satisfying safe-digging requirements for locating and verifying underground utility lines and pipes.
The company completes the acquisition of Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company, Inc. (MRL), a leading manufacturer of road-marking and line-removal equipment, along with Highmark Traffic Services Inc., a provider of road-marking services in Montana.
The company acquires Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc. (PWE), a distributor of maintenance and infrastructure equipment covering North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee. This distributor is subsequently rolled into our JJE business.
The company continues its rapid pace of growth with three key acquisitions:
OSW Equipment and Repair LLC, a leading manufacturer of dump truck bodies and custom upfitter of truck equipment and trailers, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Northend Truck Equipment (NTE) and Western Truck Body (WTB).
Ground Force Worldwide (GFW), a leading manufacturer of specialty material handling vehicles supporting the extraction of metals and minerals.
Deist Industries, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Bucks Fabricating, Roll-Off Parts, AmeriDeck, and Switch-N-Go, manufacturers of interchangeable truck body systems and waste hauling products.
The first, plug-in, hybrid-electric street sweepers in the United States are sold to the city of Los Angeles.
The company acquires TowHaul Corporation, a leading manufacturer of off-road towing and hauling equipment serving the mineral extraction industry.
Federal Signal acquires Blasters Inc., a manufacturer of truck-mounted waterblasting equipment, with applications in road-way projects, airport runway rubber and marking removal and other surface preparation projects.
Federal Signal acquires Trackless Vehicles, a leading manufacturer of multi-purpose, municipal sidewalk tractors, with applications in snow removal, mowing, asphalt repair, leaf loading, sweeping, and hauling.
Federal Signal Corporation's corporate offices are moved to Downers Grove, IL
Federal Signal acquires Standard Equipment, a leading distributor of specialty maintenance and infrastructure equipment for municipal and industrial markets.
