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Summary
The global road signage market has grown, driven mainly by the development of road networks in Asia-Pacific countries, with China playing an important role in this expansion due to the ongoing construction of a modern road infrastructure. The market has reached a value of around 45 billion US dollars, and is estimated to be growing at an average annual rate of 0.31%. By contrast, North America, which holds the largest market share, and Europe were characterized as renewal markets, with demand stemming mainly from the need to update well-established panel fleets.
Since 2020, the French road signage market appears to have been stable, with moderate growth. The stability and slight growth of the French market are linked to the continuing demand from public services, where mayors and departementaux have become more aware of the importance of adequate signage for road safety and economic vitality. However, the sector has faced a number of challenges, including ensuring the compatibility of road signage with developing technologies such as autonomous vehicles, upgrading a significant proportion of non-compliant signs, and coping with the generally low appreciation of the importance of the traffic sign sector...
The French road signage market
In France, the road signage market is an essential part of the wider road equipment sector, which includes user information on rules, directions, hazards and heritage enhancement. The market involves a variety of players such as manufacturing plants, design agencies, construction groups, specialist companies, and a range of customers from government to private entities. Global market growth, notably the demand for road network expansion in Asian countries and the need for renewal in mature markets such as Europe and North America, is reflected in France's structured and traditional market. Although the sector has seen slight growth over the past five years, many French players focus primarily on the domestic market, with exports accounting for only a small proportion of their sales.
The French market is mainly driven by utilities, with the Syndicat des Équipements de la Route (SER) reporting healthy sales of almost 2 billion euros, up from around 1.5 billion euros five years earlier. Demand for road signs is strongly influenced by legislation and the funding capacity of local authorities, as well as by external factors such as the condition of French roads and the automotive industry. It is interesting to note that the French road network, which extends over 650,000 to 700,000 km of communal roads and over 350,000 km managed by the départements, requires a significant number of traffic signs to operate efficiently. A high percentage of traffic takes place on smaller, communal roads which, although very busy, tend to be less well maintained. More than half of all personal injury accidents occurred on these roads, indicating a significant demand for updated road signs.
From the point of view of municipal authorities, around 65% of mayors questioned in a 2016 survey were satisfied with their road infrastructure. However, recent results suggest that many have not carried out an audit of their road facilities in the last two yearsthis suggests potential neglect, which could have an impact on both safety and economic development. Although almost all county councils and town halls recognize the need for road assets for safety, a large majority of town halls appear not to have updated their inventory for more than five years.
The production and distribution of road signs revolves around a few key players in the industry. The French market includes leaders such as Aximum (part of Bouygues) and AER (Eiffage), both with substantial sales in the range of 95 to 235 million euros. Other specialist players such as Vinci's Signaux Girod and SVMS are also making their presence felt in the market.
An overview of the industry's main players
The road signage market offers a range of products and services essential to maintaining the safety and efficiency of road networks. In this complex market, established names and heavyweights compete with specialist entities, each carving out its own niche in a sector that is as diverse as it is essential. The market, underpinned by a historic presence and innovative future prospects, is orchestrated by organizations that take products from concept to installation, ensuring that they meet the modern demands of a connected world.
- Aximum - Pioneering the future Aximum, a subsidiary of the renowned Bouygues group, is a driving force in the French road signage landscape. With an extensive presence thanks to 10 plants across Europe and a workforce of 2,000, Aximum has positioned itself as a leader in a range of road equipment solutions. From surface treatments and road markings to advanced signage systems, Aximum is proud to be a focal point for innovation and excellence in the marketplace.
- AER - The concrete specialists Eiffage, through its AER branch, boasts specialized expertise in road equipment and the construction of concrete pavements. As part of the wider Eiffage family, AER has inherited an ethos of quality and durability, offering a range of services around signage and road markings that underpin the very backbone of road transport infrastructure.
- Signaux Girod - A heritage of innovation Deeply rooted in French industrial history, Signaux Girod has been synonymous with the manufacture of road signs since 1957. Operating from a state-of-the-art facility in France, they are praised for their commitment to innovation, providing a wide range of signage solutions with a focus on technological progression and integration.
- SVMS - Merging forces for a unified vision SVMS, formed from the merger of Signature Industrie and Signature Traffic System under the aegis of Vinci, offers complete solutions for vertical signage, static and dynamic systems, and street furniture. The merger of these entities has created a powerhouse capable of meeting complex signage needs thanks to in-depth expertise and a range of quality products.
- Lacroix City - Manufacturing signage for cities The Lacroix Group leads its Lacroix City subsidiary into the future, producing almost half a million signs a year at its Saint Herblain plant. Its team of around 400 dedicated professionals is committed to providing signage solutions.
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- Number of pages : 30 pages
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- Last update : 30/06/2021
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Presentation and definition of the market
The road signs represent one of the 6 major poles of road equipment. They are objects whose purpose is to inform road users about rules of conduct, location, potential dangers and to highlight the heritage
The players in the road sign market are sign manufacturing plants, graphic designers, building and public works groups, specialised companies, the State, departmental councils, town halls, but also private companies, motorway companies and port companies
The world market is seeing its growth driven by the development of road networks in Asia-Pacific countries and the demand for renewal of an already old fleet in European and North American countries
The French market is a highly structured market, dominated by traditional players and construction groups. The market is stable and the sector's turnover is slightly up over the last five years. The traditional players (large groups or small players) are for the most part focused solely on the French market, which they are the only ones to supply and generate very little of their turnover from exports
Mayors and departmental councils are more and more aware of the importance of caring for their signage park of signage. Indeed, it appears that an efficient heritage is a key to safety on the road but also an encouraging factor for the city's economy.
Signalling players have now understood that a good understanding of the sector and its professions is correlated with better economic activity Thus, they seek to enhance the value of specialized training and concrete actions carried out by the sector.
List of charts
- Taille et prospective du marché des panneaux de signalisation (imprimés)
- Évolution du chiffre d'affaires des équipements de la route
- Balance commerciale des panneaux de signalisation
- Évolution du chiffre d'affaires des sociétés d'autoroutes
- Évolution des longueurs des réseaux de routes
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Latest news
Lacroix City regulates traffic and lighting - 25/04/2023
- Lacroix City sales: 109 million euros.
- 400 employees at Lacroix City.
- Growth in street lighting business: 27% by 2022.
- Contract to replace 70,000 to 100,000 lights in Flanders, Belgium.
- lighting accounts for 40% of local authority energy expenditure.
- 50% to 60% savings by replacing conventional bulbs with LEDs.
- additional savings of 80% to 90% thanks to remote lighting management. Adoption of LED lighting in a third of French municipalities.
- Rate of adoption of remote lighting management: 10% to 15%
E-commerce: Prozon launches into traffic signs - 07/04/2023
- Prozon was founded by Gabriel Guiral, an entrepreneur in his thirties.
- The Prozon website was launched three years ago, and now boasts over 30,000 customers, including local authorities and businesses.
- Prozon posted sales of 5 million euros last year, double the previous year's figure.
- The Prozon catalog currently lists just 2,000 products, but plans to grow to almost 25,000 within three years.
- The market for products offered by Prozon is worth around 15 billion euros.
- Prozon forecasts sales of 15 million euros this year, rising to 50 million in 2025 and 200 million two years later.
Lacroix puts its road sign manufacturing business up for sale - 01/03/2023
- A historic turning point for Lacroix, which has just put up for sale its historic manufacture of road signs created in 1930.
- The signage segment up for sale will generate sales of €55 million out of a total of €707.8 million in 2022, employ 315 people and control 25% of the French signage market
- The group has continued to diversify, notably in the electronics industry, "smart city" activities and connected objects for industry.
- The group achieved growth of 41.1% thanks to the acquisition of American electronics manufacturer Firstronics
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