1415 West 22nd St., Oak Brook 60521-9945, 708-954-2000
– Founded: 1901
– Fiscal year-end: Dec. 31
– Chief executive
Joseph J. Ross, 46, since 1987
1991 cash compensation: $535,797
Shares owned: 81,626 of of 22.8 million common shares
– Employees: 4,200; 920 in Illinois
– Foreign sales: 17 percent of $466.9 million total in 1991
– May 1, 1992, value of $1,000 in company stock:
Purchased May 1, 1991: $1,284
Purchased May 1, 1987: $4,317
– Federal Signal has maintained its earnings momentum and market share growth through the recession, despite its dependence on hard-pressed state and local governments, commercial real estate and basic industry. Sales of the company`s Emergency One fire and rescue vehicles and its emergency lighting and siren equipment remained strong last year. Its sign division suffered with the downturn in commercial real estate, but the specialty-tool group continued to command high profit margins.
– Federal Signal`s outlook remains vulnerable to state and local governments` delaying purchases of emergency vehicles and other equipment. Half of total sales are to such governmental units. But a low level of long-term debt and an aggressive acquisition program-especially in Canada and Europe-continue to brighten the company`s prospects.
– Chief executive Joseph Ross continues to push cost-cutting programs throughout the company, especially in the company`s sign group, the nation`s largest maker of custom signs, such as those for large buildings.
