YESCO
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric signage manufacturing |
| Founded | March 20, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Founder | Thomas Young Sr. |
| Headquarters | Salt Lake City , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada |
| Products | Illuminated signs, electric signage, outdoor digital media billboards |
Number of employees | 1000 |
YESCO is a manufacturer of electric signage based in Salt Lake City, Utah, established in 1920 by entrepreneur Thomas Young Sr. The firm focuses on the creation, production, installation, and upkeep of illuminated signs.
Among YESCO's notable projects are the NBC Experience globe located in New York City, the historic marquees for the El Capitan Theatre and Wax Museum in Hollywood, the Reno Arch, as well as several famous Las Vegas signs including Vegas Vic, the canopy at Fremont Street Experience, The Venetian’s Astrolabe, the Wynn Las Vegas resort sign, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and Aria Resort & Casino.
History
The company was launched on March 20, 1920, by Thomas Young Sr., a British immigrant who initially concentrated on coffin plates, gold leaf window lettering, illuminated signs, and painted advertisements. By 1933, YESCO had expanded to include a branch at Las Vegas’s Apache Hotel and installed its inaugural neon sign for the Boulder Club during the late 1930s. In 1995, YESCO completed the extensive four-block canopy for the Fremont Street Experience.
Over time, YESCO diversified its operations to include an outdoor digital media billboard division. The company employs around 1,000 staff members across more than 40 offices and three manufacturing facilities outfitted with both automated and custom machinery. Additional locations operate throughout the United States and Canada. Moreover, YESCO provides franchise opportunities for sign and lighting services east of Colorado and throughout Canada.
In 2015, YESCO divested its subsidiary YESCO Electronics to Samsung Electronics America, which subsequently rebranded it as Prismview.
The NBC Experience Store Globe
For its Experience store at Rockefeller Center in New York City, NBC engaged YESCO to design a 35-foot diameter illuminated "message globe." The globe is covered with LED lights whose animations were created by YESCO’s media services division, drawing considerable public interest upon unveiling.
Vegas Vic
Constructed by YESCO in 1951, Vegas Vic is a prominent electronic neon sign standing 40 feet tall above the Pioneer Club on Fremont Street. It has become an emblematic Las Vegas landmark and an unofficial welcome figurehead, solidifying YESCO’s expertise in large-scale neon signage.
Wynn Las Vegas
The marquee at Wynn Las Vegas rises 135 feet and includes a double-sided LED message board measuring 100 feet high by 50 feet wide. It features an innovative “moving eraser” concept devised by Steve Wynn. This 62,000-pound eraser moves over the LED display powered by a 300-horsepower motor engineered by FTSI to reach speeds up to 10 feet per second, demonstrating YESCO’s proficiency in sophisticated, technologically advanced signage solutions.
The Fremont Street Experience
YESCO installed the vaulted LED canopy that extends 90 feet above four blocks of Fremont Street, serving as a central element of one of Las Vegas’s premier entertainment zones.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
YESCO owns and is responsible for maintaining the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, underscoring its commitment to preserving and managing landmark signage.
Additional Ventures
YESCO was responsible for the design and installation of signage and illuminated features at Allegiant Stadium, the venue for the Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV Rebels Football. The company also outfitted the Raiders' headquarters and their training facility located in Henderson, Nevada. Furthermore, YESCO contributes to the Neon Museum by aiding in the conservation of vintage Las Vegas neon signs, including those from the Silver Slipper casino and the original signage of the Aladdin Casino.
Founder
Thomas Young, who was born in Sunderland, United Kingdom in 1895, relocated to Ogden, Utah at the age of 15. His entry into the signage industry began with positions at Electric Service Company and Redfield-King Sign Company. In 1920, he established the Thomas Young Sign Company, specializing in coffin plates, gold window lettering, illuminated signs, and painted advertisements.
By 1932, Young had extended his business to Las Vegas and acquired the Ogden Armory to expand manufacturing capabilities. He also launched a branch in Salt Lake City and moved YESCO’s main office there in 1937. Starting in 1936, Young served two terms as president of the National Sign Association. Leadership shifted to his son in 1969, and today, YESCO remains under the stewardship of the third and fourth generations of the Young family, preserving its status as a family-owned enterprise with consistent strategic direction.
Designers
Several distinguished designers have significantly shaped YESCO’s market presence through their creative contributions:
- Charles Barnard – designer behind Vegas Vickie
- Rudy Crisostomo – responsible for the design of the Rio’s column at the Rio
- Dan Edwards – creator of Lucky the Clown at Circus Circus
- Jack Larsen Sr – designer of the Silver Slipper
- Kermit Wayne – architect of signage for the Stardust
- Pat Denner – known for iconic creations such as Vegas Vic and Wendover Will
- Jim Geitzen – designer for both the Aria Resort and Casino and The Linq
These individuals have been instrumental in establishing YESCO’s distinctive brand image and competitive positioning within the signage sector.