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Our history
Explore our history through our timeline
Our story at Prismo® stretches back nearly one hundred years, filled with innovation, growth, and a deep dedication to road safety. From our early days in the 1930s, to our position today as a trusted name in the industry worldwide, we’ve always aimed to lead the way in making roads safer for you. Here are some of the key moments that have shaped our journey.
A century of progress
The Prismo® story begins
Prismo Safety Corporation is founded in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, producing reflective paints for signs and traffic markings. A small start that sets up a bright future in road safety.
The glass sphere changes night driving
Prismo® introduces tiny glass beads into road marking paint, creating reflective markings that shine back under headlights. Night-time guidance improves everywhere, and the idea spreads worldwide.
Lifeline® raises durability
Prismo® brings Lifeline® to market, a reflective thermoplastic that gives clearer guidance and longer service on busy routes. It became the product crews trusted and authorities specified. As the industry formalised EN and Kitemark approvals, Lifeline® secured them and remains a cornerstone product today.
Post-war ideas, growing leadership
We move from tins of paint to a wider toolkit that serves airfields, rail crossings and city streets. Crews ask for Prismo® by name and authorities specify our materials for performance that lasts.
British ownership and a new name
Redland acquires Prismo Safety Corporation and merges it with Universal Highways. The business trades as Prismo Universal and prepares for European growth.
Sprayplastic® speeds up marking
Prismo Universal engineers a spray-applied thermoplastic system that helps ground teams cover more road with fewer closures while retaining durability.
Thormajoint® revolutionises bridge joints
An asphaltic plug expansion joint for bridges delivering flexible, water-tight performance without noise or leaks. It becomes the benchmark on projects around the globe, even today.
Establishing British and American expertise
The UK and US operations are renamed Prismo Universal Limited and Prismo Universal Corporation. A clear group structure supports international projects.
Highway Maintenance joins the family
Highway Maintenance Limited becomes part of Prismo Universal, strengthening in-house capability for upkeep and repair alongside materials supply.
Kitemark first issued for our road markings
This BSI certification enhances trust in the proven quality of our road marking products.
Vibraline® makes edges audible
The first profiled rib line gives drivers a tactile and audible cue when they drift. Simple to apply and powerful on long highway stretches.
Zebragrip sets new standards with BBA approval
Prismo® launches the world’s first coloured thermoplastic, antiskid surfacing approved as Type l by BBA for the heaviest traffic conditions.
Thormack merges with Prismo®
The merger adds know-how in road materials and helps accelerate product development through the decade.
Introducing Vernisol™ …
Vernisol™ is founded in Italy
Vernisol™ Italiana Srl is founded as a sales company for road marking products.
Prismo® acquired by a subsidiary of Shell
Following corporate restructuring, Prismo® absorbs international business presence from Colas Holdings.
Berger Traffic Markings joins Prismo®
BTM is acquired, strengthening knowledge, capabilities and client reach.
Imprint: The mark of a new era
Imprint was engineered as a synthetic overlay, mimicking block paving but without the disadvantages. Its launch quickly gained popularity and took the industry by a storm!
Prismo® takes Europe
Prismo® establishes further European presence with sister companies in Holland, France, Spain and Belgium.
Fibrescreed® comes in-house
Acquisition of Fibrescreed Limited brings specialist crack and joint repair technology into the portfolio.
A run of strategic additions until 1998
Flexitec, Imprint, C&C, Valley Roadmarkings, Pathwedge, Suregrip, Ibex, Techspan and Route Signs join. The range now covers road markings, repairs, antiskid and decorative surfacing.
Zebraflex® acquisition
High-visibility surfacing expertise becomes part of Prismo®, widening high-friction choices.
Highway Maintenance Solutions division
A dedicated unit focuses on keeping networks safe and serviceable, from potholes to remarking.
Jarvis acquisition
New ownership brings capital and access to major programmes.
Rainline® debuts in the UK
The wet-night profiled line marking that stays visible above surface water and featured on the TV programme, “Tomorrow’s World”. Councils adopt it to cut wet-night crashes on fast A-roads.
First motorway bus lane, M4 Heathrow
Prismo® installs Britain’s first dedicated motorway bus lane using Bustrack TG. Public transport priority goes live on a national scale.
Thormajoint® at scale
55 cubic metres installed at the M73/M74 junction in Scotland across three intense weekends, meeting tight windows for South Lanarkshire Council.
Britain's first purpose-built cycling training track
We pioneered a scaled road layout in Chorley that helped teach safe riding for cyclists and motorists, with durable markings and colour surfacing.
International division hits 60+ countries
Exports reach a truly global spread via long-standing licensees and partners.
Fibrescreed® goes greener
Joint and crack repair system is transformed with metal and glass fibres, granite and recycled tyre rubber, extending life and reducing waste.
Zebraflex® Type 1, first of its kind
Zebraflex® becomes the first thermoplastic high-friction surfacing with BBA/HAPAS Type 1 approval for the heaviest traffic.
Sydney installs 26,000 m² of Prismo's Bustrack TG
On the Harbour Bridge approaches and city network, illegal bus-lane use drops from an estimated 15% to 4% after installation.
Thormajoint® meets Vihantasalmi Bridge, Finland
Thormajoint® selected for the world’s largest wooden bridge, proving performance in a demanding climate.
Rippleprint® reduces noise and nuisance!
Prismo® was chosen by TRL to develop a major step forward in traffic calming techniques: a sinusoidal profile that gives an in-cab alert without disturbing nearby residents.
Thormajoint® BJ200ST approved for highways
After a rigorous, two-year M6 trial, our motorway-grade binder gains Highways Agency approval for very heavily stressed sites.
Vernisol™ begins to expand
A new Spinadesco plant opens, dedicated to solvent based traffic paints, marking a growth in Vernisol’s expertise.
New Chorley plant
Prismo® operations move to a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and lab in Chorley, Lancashire. Widely cited as the most advanced site of its kind in Europe, and where we continue to progress today!
A new generation of reflective markings
We developed ClusterBead™ and ColourBright™ reflective systems that combine high-intensity reflectivity and vivid colour that lasts. A year later ColourBright™ wins the Intertraffic Innovation Award.
ISO 9001 certification
Prismo® earns BS EN ISO 9001 for design, manufacture and supply of core products, formalising quality discipline across operations.
Imprint® at Grosvenor Place, London
Designed to replicate traditional paving slabs outside Buckingham Palace, Imprint® delivered heritage looks with fast installation.
Fibrescreed® wins BBA/HAPAS approval
The first flexible crack repair system approved under HAPAS, presented at Traffex.
Lead-free colour goes standard
We eliminate lead-based pigments from coloured thermoplastics and Textureflex, raising the bar on worker and environmental safety without compromising performance.
Tyregrip® chosen for the Olympics!
E-lanes and city bus lanes in Athens are refreshed with Tyregrip® in distinctive colours before the Olympic Games, supporting safe, high-flow transport.
Intertraffic award and RoSPA Gold
ColourBright™ wins Intertraffic’s European innovation award, and Prismo® receives RoSPA Gold for sustained safety performance.
ISO 14001 certification
Prismo® awarded the highest internationally recognised environmental standard across all business units, showing our commitment to responsible business practices.
Prismo® recognised for environmental excellence
Prismo® was one of only 40 UK companies shortlisted for the ‘Business Commitment to the Environment’ awards (BCE) for developing a lead-free pigment used in coloured road surfacing and markings.
Prince Michael International Road Safety award
Prismo® becomes the first surfacing manufacturer to receive this prestigious honour for proven casualty reduction.
Flexiline™ is launched to brighten playgrounds
We pioneer with our first preformed thermoplastic designed to make schools and public spaces safe, colourful and long-lasting.
Jarvis sells, new chapter begins
Ownership changes set up the transition to the Ennis family.
Ennis Paint acquires Prismo Road Markings
Integration starts with a clear aim: more capacity, more reach.
Somerset White Lining joins
A respected UK applicator strengthens delivery capability.
Vernisol™ acquires Verital, Leinì
Capacity and chemistry deepen with MMA and water based paint production in Italy.
Global ventures
New entities in Germany and South Africa, a joint venture in Turkey and UAE, and expansion in Australia widen access and service.
Global expertiseMarking change with more eco-friendly thermoplastics
All our hot applied thermoplastics are formulated with bio-based resins. A step that paved the way for the future of sustainable thermoplastics.
Hot applied thermoplastics
Ennis-Prismo rebrand
Prismo Road Markings becomes Ennis Prismo Traffic Safety Solutions. Ennis Paint rebrands to Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions.
Ennis Prismo South Africa established
Johannesburg base opens, later joined by Cape Town, to serve the continent.
Prismo® awarded ISO 45001
This international health and safety award shows our dedication to creating a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and visitors.
Ennis Paint + Flint Trading = Ennis-Flint
The Ennis family grows further, marking another successful acquisition.
CE Mark for Stimsonite®
All our Stimsonite® road studs tested and certified to CE by BSI.
New moisture proof thermoplastic
A new high-reflectivity, road certified grade joins our hot applied thermoplastic line-up, and goes on to build a strong reputation, even today.
Ennis-Flint acquires Vernisol™
Vernisol’s Italian plants, colour expertise and unique product offering join the Ennis family, marking a pivotal moment in our history.
Codogno Italy plant acquisition
A state-of-the-art production site from AkzoNobel grows European capacity and R&D.
PPG acquires Ennis-Flint
Prismo® and Vernisol™ become part of PPG Traffic Solutions as the group scales again.
Codogno takes over
Spinadesco plant closes. Production of water and solvent based paint expands to an advanced, high-capacity facility in Codogno, with Leinì focused on MMA and coloured paints.
Duraflect™ launch
Long-life, highly-reflective sustainable thermoplastic with a 4-year performance warranty and excellent wet-night visibility supports lower maintenance and carbon.
Durabahn™ completes 5-year road trial
After an intense 5 years on Germany’s high-speed autobahn, Durabahn™ resisted heavy traffic and demonstrated exceptional performance.
Prismo® is back, independently owned
A management buyout of PPG’s EMEA Traffic Solutions restores independent ownership. UK and South Africa rebrand to Prismo®, Vernisol™ retains its name as part of Prismo®.
Prismo® South Africa expands
Johannesburg HQ relocates to a much larger site, increasing stock capacity and improving logistics for local customers.
Sunline™ for tropical heat
Prismo® launch a reflectorised thermoplastic with a high softening point for hot climates, delivering durable visibility at an accessible price point.
New Prismo® logo and brand system
A modern take on the iconic red lozenge unifies the group identity and signals a confident, independent future.
New Vernisol™ logo to reflect our unified brand
A shared brand identity between Vernisol™ and Prismo® reflects our brand values and a cohesive global identity.
Website launch
An exciting new chapter opens up opportunities, serving as an all-you-need knowledge base for our customers.