MADE IN NC: Traffic lights constructed in Vista

McCain Inc. ---- no relation to the senator ---- keeps roads orderly

By JULIE PENDRAY - For the North County Times | Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:22 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Millions of drivers around the world stop ---- and go ---- when McCain Inc. tells them. Watch the video

The Vista-based company makes traffic management systems ---- stoplights, software, controllers and traffic signs ---- that are sold to cities around the United States and in Kuwait, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Peru, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico and other countries.

In all, McCain systems control traffic at 40,000 intersections around the globe in 175 systems. The largest is in Washington, D.C..

Encinitas electrical contractor Jeff McCain started the company in 1987 when he wasn’t able to find enough traffic intersection parts for his projects, such as for roadways in and around Qualcomm Stadium.

McCain now lives in Rancho Santa Fe with his wife, Beth. They own the company, which now makes about 1,000 signals a day. The company doesn't disclose its sales or earnings.

“The company decided to make the parts themselves,” said Bill Brown, vice president of business development, recently as he watched staff unload trucks full of pieces from the company’s manufacturing plant in Tijuana.

McCain's manufacturing system reflects the increasing economic reality of North County, California and much of the rest of America ---- the heavy industrial part of making traffic systems is done outside the United States; the precision computer engineering part of the process is done here.

McCain’s quality assurance, and some of the tool- and mold-making for their Mexico manufacturing operation, is done in Vista at the corporate headquarters. The company also has offices in Sacramento, Salem, Ore., and Preston, Wash.

Besides traffic light systems, the company makes illuminated street signs and test equipment for the traffic intersection controls. Brown said the installed price for an average traffic intersection management system is $200,000.

He described the privately held McCain Inc. as “an industry leader,” based on the market share of four major companies in the field.

“We have an edge because we know what the clients want, since we’ve been in the electrical contracting business,” Brown said.

So what’s new in the world of traffic lights?

“LED (light-emitting diode) lights instead of incandescents,” said Brown. “It’s state law in California that the light source be LED. On the sign products, the push is to LED, and that’s all we make. There’s less power needed. Also, we’re now making battery backup systems.”

LEDs produce light when an electric current is passed through a semiconductor diode.

McCain Inc. employs about 500 people, including the workers in its Tijuana plant.