Draft:Signatures, INC.

Signatures, INC was an American company founded in the early 1990s by Michael F. Leban and John M. Giordano. The company was incorporated in Virginia and headquartered at 100 West Plume Street, Norfolk, VA 23510. It specialized in designing and producing custom automotive hood ornaments and collectibles, known for their unique, high-quality designs aimed at replacing traditional car hood ornaments with more secure and innovative options—or adding custom ornaments to cars that initially did not have them to give them a more personal touch.

History The company was established to create stylish, theft-resistant hood ornaments. The idea emerged after working with a particular Jaguar owner who sought a more distinctive ornament for his vehicle after it was stolen. This innovative approach quickly gained attention in the automotive accessories market.

At its peak, Signatures, INC offered a consistent main catalog of 24 distinct hood ornament designs sold through nationwide retail channels, including Pep Boys. In addition to hood ornaments, the company produced a limited run of desk ornaments and NFL-themed collectibles, becoming an official NFL licensee in 1991.

Products and Designs The company's signature offerings included custom hood ornaments made from durable, die-cast double zinc-coated metal. These ornaments were theft-resistant and explicitly designed around wind resistance, as outlined in Patent US4988065A, filed on July 10, 1989, and granted on January 29, 1991. This patent detailed innovations that enhanced the ornaments' durability and aerodynamic performance.

The company catered to a wide range of customers, whether replacing traditional ornaments with more unique designs or adding ornaments to cars that did not initially have them.

Notable designs included:

A hand holding a basketball. Two doves kissing. A duck head. A cross. A unicorn horn. A horse. Various flags. A peace symbol. These ornaments were sold across the United States.

Manufacturing and Operations Signatures, INC designed its products in the United States, with manufacturing conducted in Taiwan using die-casting techniques. The final assembly took place domestically. The company employed a small, dedicated team of five employees committed to delivering quality designs.

Despite achieving sales of roughly $1 million throughout its lifetime, the company ultimately ceased operations just three years after facing financial challenges, having invested $1.4 million in its operations from the date of incorporation.

Challenges and Closure A significant challenge for the company was the need for customers to drill into their vehicles to install the ornaments, which, on top of the high initial cost, was a deterrent for many buyers. In an attempt to address this issue, Signatures, INC experimented with various adhesives to secure the ornaments without the need for drilling. However, they were ultimately unsuccessful in creating a good enough weather-resistant adhesive. Combined with financial constraints and high production costs, this contributed to the company's eventual closure.

Legacy Though short-lived, Signatures, INC is remembered for its innovative and high-quality designs. Its contributions to the niche automotive accessory market in the early 1990s left a lasting impression, demonstrating the potential for creative innovation in automotive collectibles. The durability and aerodynamic ingenuity of its ornaments, as protected under the now-expired Patent US4988065A, remain a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and innovation.

References

US patent number US4988065A