CONTRACTOR NEWS & VIEWS, JANUARY 2004

(Reprinted with permission)

Acme Safety & Supply Corp. San Diego, CA (619) 299-5100

Thomas F. Becker, with Logistics, Ridgeway International, Super Bowl XXXVII, said of Acme Safety & Supply Co., “Candace, you should be proud of your company and employees. I am pleased to have worked with them all and greatly appreciate the effort put forth. The personal interest shown by ACME was exceptional and I would whole-heartedly recommend ACME to all. Thank you very much for a job well-done.” The NFL, named Acme Safety & Supply Company “Most Valuable Vendor” of 2003 Super Bowl XXXVII held at Qualcomm Stadium.

Whether its coordinating traffic and signs for the Super Bowl or delivering cones and barricades to your project site, the friendly staff at Acme will be happy to assist you with all your traffic and signage needs. In 1999, Candace Friedman started the business, determined to succeed in what many said was a ‘man’s industry’. But her friends and other women in the construction industry encouraged her not to let anything stand in her way. She made a business plan and applied for a small business loan from her bank. She rented a small but suitable location in the Sports Arena area, hired a few people and before long, her client list began to grow. She focused on providing exceptional service to her clients and instilled in her staff a willingness to go the extra mile. Candace focused on hiring people she could trust and the family atmosphere amongst her staff made the long working hours go by faster. The entire staff enjoys spending time together and having fun. (Of course, anyone that knows Candace knows that this means attending a few tailgate parties when the Chargers are in town.)

Candace also made it a point to join several industry associations such as the National Association of Women In Construction, the Associated General Contractors, and the Associated Builders and Contractors. She supported these groups with her efforts and networked with as many people as she could find. She concentrated on developing a staff that was friendly, knowledgeable and service oriented. The business grew by leaps and bounds and they quickly outgrew that small location they had started out in. Nearly three years later they moved to a much more spacious location off Pacific Coast Highway. (They have since moved again to National City). Candace and the entire staff at Acme welcomes visitors to tour the fully stocked warehouse and yard located at 1616 West Avenue, National City, CA 91950. They can assist you with construction signs, (sales and rentals) regulatory signs, warning signs, permanent roadway items, beacons, lights, CMS & arrowboards, cones, barricades, and delineators. They also offer pick-up, delivery, and set-up or take down service, if needed.

In addition, Acme also carries parking area products, paint, work site and personal safety items, and much more. Their expert staff can provide your project or event with highly trained traffic control technicians, or help with the design and implementation of a traffic plan, even assist with permit procurement. Acme Safety & Supply is CalTrans certified and SBA certified as a woman-owned business enterprise and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. The custom sign shop at Acme Safety & Supply supplies their customers with banners, magnetic signs, vehicle graphics and wraps, window lettering, logos, site and directional signage, street name signs, as well as custom screen printing. As Candace says, “We pride ourselves on giving the best possible service to our customers.” It’s not unheard of, to find Candace or someone else on her staff, delivering to a customer on a Sunday or on their way home from work. Now that’s service! So, the next time you need traffic control or signs why not give them a call? –SC