The Company currently has signed distribution agreements for its solar-powered LED and LED edge-lit traffic products with 11 of the top roadway product distributors as follows:
- Brown Traffic Products Inc.
- Carrier and Gable, Inc.
- Electromega Ltd.
- Gades Sales Company Inc.
- Ocean State Signal Company
- Stansell Electric Company Inc.
- Synchronex Inc.
- Texas Highway Products Ltd.
- Traffic Control Products, Inc.
- Traffic Products, LLC.
- Western Systems Inc.
Combined, these Authorized Carmanah Distributors are expected to effectively penetrate 35 US States and all of Canada. Carmanah is also in negotiations with additional distributors to cover the remaining U.S. States.
"Our strategy is to establish distribution agreements for our LED-based roadway lighting products with only the most reputable companies in the traffic control equipment industry," states Carmanah's CEO, Mr. Art Aylesworth. "It has taken nearly a year to assemble what we believe is a world-class team of distribution partners. We are now confident we have the representation necessary to capitalize on the growing North American demand for our products."
North American has the largest road network in the world with over 260,000 signalized intersections in the U.S. alone - a multi-billion dollar market. Traffic accident statistics and demographic trends show a growing need for illuminated signs and traffic control devices on North American roads. For example:
- Although only 25 percent of driving occurs at night, this is when more than half of traffic fatalities happen, with "inadequate and poorly maintained signs" often cited as a contributing factor.
- Lack of illuminated crosswalks is a significant contributor to the 5,000 pedestrian fatalities and 70,000 pedestrian injuries that occur in the U.S. each year. Most pedestrian deaths occur at night, at non-intersection locations where proper crosswalks and lighting are unavailable. Only one-tenth of pedestrian deaths in 2002-2003 occurred inside a crosswalk.
- Roadway lighting will become critical over the next 15 years as the U.S. population over 65 rises from 13 to 20 percent. The night illumination requirements of a 65-year-old driver are over eight times that of a 20-year-old. The following traffic lighting products that will be represented by Carmanah's N.A. Authorized Distributors:
- Edge-lit LED internally illuminated traffic signs
- Edge-lit LED internally illuminated street name signs
- Solar-powered LED pedestrian crosswalk beacons
- Solar-powered LED programmable school zone flashers
- Solar-powered LED warning flashers
