Growing business wins ‘Excellence in Entrepreneurship’

MONTROSE  — Mesa State College awarded Best Sign Systems Inc. in Montrose an “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” for its “obvious pattern of success.”

Best Sign Systems came to Montrose in 1984 from Kansas City with help from the city of Montrose and Montrose Economic Development Corporation, which at that time was called Montrose Industrial Development.

MEDC provided a 5-acre lot in the Black Canyon Industrial Park. In return, it required the company to support economic development and grow as a business, said MEDC Executive Director Sandy Head. The company had nine employees at the time.

The award was presented to Best Sign President Steve Savoy during the Jan. 18 Business Expo at the Montrose Pavilion.

“A company is only as good as its people, so I recognized the management team when I got the award,” Savoy said.

Savoy bought the company in May 2003. In October 2005, he broadened his clientele base by purchasing Courtesy Sign Solutions LTD. Based in Amarillo, Texas, Courtesy provides safety, industrial and traffic signs. Though the firm did not relocate to Montrose, it provided an added service to local clients.

In October 2007, Savoy purchased Tactile Graphics out of North Carolina. Over the past months he has transitioned the company to the Montrose area. Savoy has already added eight employees to his existing staff of 40 to accommodate the growth.

“Steve has certainly taken Best Sign to another level,” said Ben Keefer, director of  the Montrose campus and extended studies for Mesa State College.

Every year, the college presents the award to a business that has demonstrated entrepreneurship. The recipient is chosen by an anonymous committee who reviews all nominations. The nominees had to have been active for five years and shown an obvious pattern of success. They had to have “demonstrated the ability to be visionary and insightful,” Keefer said.

“It’s to celebrate this whole concept of entrepreneurship,” he said. It is an essential part of a successful economy, both locally and nationally.

Savoy said his new investments should double sales in the next five years. He also expects an additional 36 jobs to be created in that time.

Currently, Best Sign has an annual payroll, including benefits, of $1.4 million. Savoy estimates that number will reach close to $5 million in the next five years.

Because of the addition of Tactile Graphics, he also needs to expand his facility.

“My building is full now,” he said. “We’re going to need more space if I meet my growth goal.”

The addition to Best Sign Systems at 1202 N. Park Ave. in Montrose is expected to break ground in 2009. The 12,500-square-foot expansion will cost more than $1.5 million including added equipment.

Keefer said a businesses that demonstrates this kind of entrepreneurship deserves to be recognized. The college uses the award winner as a positive business example in its classes.

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com