Large traffic sign company moves to Brown Deer

Tapco brings in over 100 jobs to Milwaukee County
Gus Gnorski FOX 6 Reporter

Gus Gnorski & Andrew Bergholz (Part 1) View Video
Gus Gnorski & Andrew Bergholz (Part 2) View Video
Gus Gnorski & Jason Kugel (Part 1) View Video
Gus Gnorski & Jason Kugel (Part 2) View Video


WITI-TV-BROWN DEER - Tapco has more than one hundred employees in its new home on Brown Deer Road, but it didn't start there.

 "Yea, it began in the basement, my grandfather's basement actually in 1956, where he had tenants on the top, three boys in the middle and a business in on the bottom, an owner occupied duplex," says Tapco representative Andrew Bergholz.

Over the years, his grandfather, then his father branched into everything involved with parking and traffic control that included signs with flashing L.E.D. lights, to get your attention. Andy's partner says those L.E.D.'s are the cutting edge of traffic control.

Tapco partner Jason Kugel says, "Everything from street lights to parking garage lighting ro even your traffc signals are now LED's. That's certainly taking good hold in the marketplace."

The new traffic signals use video cameras to detect traffic, and even tell pedestrians when to walk or wait.

The company makes highway signs too. They are Silk screened signs that can stand up to years of outdoor abuse.

Some county highway departments make their own signs.

"In some cases that may be true, but not all municipalities or agencies have the means to put in a system like that, so we do sell traffic signs, although we do sell systems to help an agancy put their own sign shop in," says Kugel.

 And don't be surprised if you can't read all the signs thay make because Bergholz states their company distributes nationwide and internationally. They make signs to help the war fighter over in Iraq, and have distributors in Australia and Europe.

 Tapco has been in its new home for about one month. They are celebrating with an open house at 51st and Brown Deer Road on July 9th and July 10th.