Watchfire Increases Production Capacity

For the third time this year, Watchfire, a manufacturer of reliable and innovative on-premise LED signs and digital billboards, has expanded its manufacturing space by leasing an additional 32,000 sq. ft. of industrial real estate space. This brings its total space in Danville, Ill. to 120,000 sq. ft.

The leased facility is located on Fairchild Street in a former General Electric factory.  Watchfire will move its on-premise small cabinet fabrication and assembly to the new facility to make room for the expansion of its large display production, including large on-premise LED signs and digital outdoor billboards.

Watchfire has experienced significant growth in all areas of its business, including its new digital billboard division, Watchfire Digital Outdoor. The company has sold more than 20 digital billboards since March of this year, yet continues to manage delivery times that beat the industry average.

“The market is hot for digital signs in general and our signs in particular. Companies like buying from Watchfire because we build the most reliable, best-looking product to the customer’s specifications and deliver on time,” said David Wood, president of Watchfire. “We concentrate on only LED signs for advertising and that allows us to run a very efficient factory where we assemble to our customers’ requirements and meet their needs precisely.”

“Our manufacturing process allows us to scale as demand builds while maintaining an acceptable outstanding delivery pipeline,” said Darrin Friskney, director of Watchfire Digital Outdoor. Watchfire’s shorter production cycle results from its vertically integrated manufacturing process and its complete focus on manufacturing advertising LED signage, enabling the company to build a quality digital board with industry leading turn-around at a reasonable cost.

In May, Watchfire announced they had contracted with Henneman Engineering, Inc. and Vermilion Development Corporation to complete the design phase for an expanded headquarters and manufacturing facility. Watchfire anticipates the greenfield project will encompass 180,000 sq. ft. of office and manufacturing space. The project is in its second phase, with Henneman and Vermilion tasked with completion in the third quarter. The company expects to move into the new facility in mid-2008.