Working to develop standardized drawings specific to the unique requirements of our partner municipalities.
What makes Sign Spec Canada different?”
Why we’re doing it...
We believe in challenging the processes commonplace to the sign industry that tend to debilitate the design, engineering and approval process.
How we’re doing it...
We provide standardized PEng drawing sets that have been pre-reviewed by the municipality, minimizing the costs and improving schedules.
What you can expect...
The result is a growing library of drawings sets that will ensure you have 24/7 access to the solutions you need, when you need them.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Signum
Signum Engineering is founded by Marc Carriere to provide engineering services to the sign industry.
Signature
Signature Engineering is founded by Chris Sharpe to provide engineering services to the sign industry.
Feasibility Study Completed
A joint task force that includes the Ontario Sign Association and the City of Toronto is formed to complete a feasibility study of standardizing engineered sign drawings.
Bid Process Began
The Ontario Sign Association requests bids to provide standardized engineering sign drawings.
Business Conceived
As a joint partnership, Marc Carriere and Chris Sharpe form Sign Spec Canada and begin formal program concept development with the Ontario Sign Association.
Sign Spec Canada Formalized
Sign Spec Canada is formally incorporated.
Formal Agreement Reached
Sign Spec Canada and the Ontario Sign Association sign a formal agreement to work together for the betterment of the sign industry.
Infrastructure Designed
Sign Spec develops a branding strategy along with initial product offerings and online sales infrastructure.
Bricks and Mortar
Sign Spec officially moves into it’s new office space and hires it’s first non-founding employee…Folu Okubadejo.
Technology
Development of the online store is initiated and engineering of designs/drawings sets for the City of Toronto begins.
Launch of Website and Online Shop
Sign Spec opens its online shop with an extensive offering of standardized sign drawings.
Drawings tailored to its first municipal partner: The City of Toronto.
OUR SPECIALISTS
Our Executive Team Members
Chris Sharpe, P. Eng.
Founding Partner
Chris has almost two decades of experience as an engineering manager and professional engineer in the sign industry. Having overseen close to 10000 exterior sign projects, Chris’ first-hand knowledge of the design, fabrication, estimation, and installation processes of the signage business is highly uncommon in the field.
Educated at the University of Waterloo, where he studied civil engineering, he continues to live and work in Southwestern Ontario. He is a member in good standing and holds licenses in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, and is a proud member of Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE).
Giving back to the community has been a major focus of Chris’ time outside of the office, for the past 5 years has served on various ringette boards, and is currently the Chair of Western Region Ringette Association and member of the board of directors for Ringette Ontario.
Marc Carriere, P.Eng.
Founding Partner
Marc has over 25 years of experience working in the sign industry. He started his career with an industry-leading sign manufacturer where he was the firm’s engineering manager and a member of the management team. After a decade of working on the client side, Marc founded Signum Engineering Inc. in 2006, with the sole focus of providing engineering services to the sign industry. Marc regularly works with the sector’s most prominent sign manufacturers, sign installation contractors and permit consultants. He balances his work at Signum with his role at Sign Spec Canada.
Marc is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Civil Engineering program. He is a member in good standing and holds licenses in Ontario and Alberta, and is a proud member of Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE).
When Marc is not busy counting fasteners or reviewing specs, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his two children. He is also working at improving his beekeeping skills as he helps take care of the family beehives.