Signage Manufacturing Expertise
Commercial Plastics is a wholesale signage manufacturer based in Missouri, specializing in custom vacuum-formed sign faces and exterior sign cabinets designed for pole or wall mounting. We sell exclusively to other sign companies. Our customer base spans the entire continental United States, with the majority of our sales concentrated in the central region.
Established in 1968 by Clarence Franks, the company was significantly shaped by his son Bob, who was the driving force behind its growth. What began as a small business with around 15 employees became the thriving operation it is today. By his early twenties in the late 1970s, Bob was managing all aspects of the company, and he assumed full ownership in the early 1980s following his father’s retirement.
In 1987, Bob relocated the company from Springfield, Missouri, to a 7-acre property in Republic, Missouri. He designed and built the current facility, which he has expanded over the years to more than 27,000 square feet.
Bob Franks
Bob Franks and the Legacy of Excellence
Bob Franks was a self-taught, self-made man who prided himself on being well-versed in every aspect of his business. His extensive knowledge—paired with an unmatched work ethic—made him the leader he was. Bob was proficient in signage design and engineering, and he was a master fabricator across all areas of the shop.
He successfully trained a high-quality staff, many of whom are still employed at Commercial Plastics, bringing with them a combined total of over 250 years of experience and knowledge. Bob relied on his employees, and they relied on him—loyalty at Commercial Plastics has always gone both ways.
From office operations to signage manufacturing, frame fabrication, painting, and shipping, every department is staffed by professionals with deep expertise and a shared commitment to producing the highest-quality signs for our wholesale customers.
Commercial Plastics has now spanned three generations as a family-owned and -operated business. After Bob’s passing in February 2023, his son Joshua stepped into his father’s role and is committed to carrying the business forward in the way he observed growing up.
Josh has spent his life working in and learning the business, and his goal is to both maintain and grow a sign company that has been serving the industry since 1968. We hold ourselves to high standards—customer satisfaction remains our top priority.
As one of the long-standing leaders in our segment of the signage industry, we believe we have established ourselves as a standard-bearer in wholesale signage manufacturing and look forward to what the future holds.
