Impact Recovery Systems
Traffic safety product manufacturer Impact Recovery Systems (IRS) is celebrating its 20th year in business. On May 29, the company marked its official 20-year anniversary.
Although IRS has been in business since 1991, its origin dates back much further.
In 1956, Frank Gruen started a Texas-based business by the name of Flasher Light Corp., in which they rented battery powered flashing lights.These lights were a technological turning point, in that they were used to replace the original oil-burning smudge pots that were used as warning markers in road construction areas.
Impact Recovery Systems employees celebrate 20 years in businessLater, in 1960, Frank joined partnership with Don Mueller. Together, they changed the company name to Flasher Equipment Co. and expanded the business to include the sale of truck mixers for ready mix concrete.
As the years progressed, Flasher Equipment Co. went through many more business changes. By 1968, Flasher had become a well-known name for the services they provided for the roadway industry. It was this reputation that helped the company’s continual growth and success well into the 1990’s under the management of Frank’s son- Herb Gruen. By then, Flasher Equipment Company had earned a solid reputation as a pioneer in the traffic control and pavement marking industry.
By 1991, Flasher Equipment wanted to raise the bar yet again with the creation of a flexible traffic panel that was safer, more durable, yet cost effective. With that, Impact Recovery Systems was born. The technology behind Impact Recovery Systems was a patented reactive spring that allowed roadway posts and panels to sustain multiple vehicle impacts, and return to their original position, extending the life cycle of these essential roadway safety markers. Herb Gruen entrusted Greg Hannah the task of making Impact Recovery Systems a success.
During the next 20 years, under the management of Greg Hannah, Impact Recovery Systems has expanded far beyond roadway work zones, to design and manufacture products for highways, parking lots, airports and pedestrian safety all around the world. IRS has maintained active participation as board members in such industry organizations as the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), in which they have assisted in the improvement of traffic and transportation safety laws and regulations. In addition,
Impact Recovery Systems maintains a committee member position for the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), whom advise the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on additions, revisions and changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) reference guide.
Impact Recovery System’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety also earned them ATSSA’s prestigious Innovation Award in 2010, for their contributions to the roadway safety industry. In addition, their manufacturing practices have also received ISO 9001:2008 with Design certification.
Impact Recovery Systems credits its loyal customers and hardworking employees for 20 years of success and is looking forward to many years more.
