In 1960 Vern Pankratz started an electrical contracting company called Pankratz Electric. In a way, you could consider that to be the real beginning of Signex. In 1982 Vern’s son Ken, at the request of their customers, started making electrical signage in the back of the shop. 6 years later, with Vern now retired, Ken sold the electrical contracting side of the business to focus on Signex which was rapidly growing.

Helena Koop, who is the current Senior Project & Operations Manager, started in 1993. She participated in the low-tech era of sign-making when designs and layouts were done by hand and sign faces were hand-painted. In 1995, much to their surprise, Signex won their first international sign competition with a multi-tiered, back-lit awning manufactured for TVS Movies.

20 years later, with almost 30,000 sq./ft. of manufacturing and office space, Signex regularly wins awards for their work and has the largest sign manufacturing facility in Manitoba. Their facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for every aspect of sign manufacturing including printing, router-cutting, painting and welding. They are CSA approved, COR certified and have a full fleet of installation and service vehicles.

“At this point,” Helena explains, “We’ve been a part of some very extensive projects including stadiums, hospitals, shopping malls, large condo developments and many smaller jobs. We’ve sent signs to Alaska, to New York, to Los Angeles and all over Canada.” With so many large projects under their belt, Signex has made project management a key focus in their process. “We feel it’s assumed that we’re going to have the latest equipment, where we think we stand-out from the rest is having a team of experienced project managers that can coordinate and plan projects of any size or scope.”

Notable projects:

  • Nygard Time Square
  • Investor’s Group Field (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
  • Canadian Museum for Human Rights
  • Outlet Collection Winnipeg
  • Steinbach Credit Union
  • Selkirk Regional Health Centre
  • Club Regent Casino

For more information, visit their website www.signexmfg.com.