Street Smart Celebrates 25 Years of Safer, Smarter Work Zones!
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we recently sat down with our CEO, Mike Granger, to learn more about the company’s history and what the future holds.
Could you describe how Street Smart has evolved since 1999?
Street Smart began in 1999 as an equipment rental provider to traffic safety companies. Over the past 25 years, we have become a nationwide leader in safety and security solutions for traffic management and job sites. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional customer service and exceed expectations.
In the early 2000s, we recognized the potential of emerging technologies to revolutionize the road construction industry. By the mid-2000s, Street Smart was at the forefront of implementing Smart Work Zone projects nationwide, using advanced technology to enhance efficiency and safety in construction zones.
Following our entry into the Smart Work Zone market, we expanded our services to include mobile camera trailer rental. This evolved into a comprehensive job site monitoring service, establishing us as a key player in job site security and surveillance.
In 2014, we began a strategic expansion by opening regional hubs, starting with Colorado. This regional approach enabled us to serve our growing customer base better and extend our operations across the United States. Since then, we have added eight additional locations.
A significant milestone came in 2023 when we acquired Superior Traffic Services, a Montana-based road construction software and custom solutions leader. This strategic move not only expanded our geographical reach but also enhanced our ability to offer specialized solutions. It cemented our position as an industry leader in job site and work zone safety and security, and demonstrated our commitment to growth and innovation.
What roles have you had, and are there any specific projects that stand out to you?
As the fourth employee at Street Smart, I’ve worn many hats over the years, including Service Tech, IT Manager, HR, Freight & Fleet Manager, General Manager, President, and now CEO.
One of the most memorable experiences was in the late 2000s when we strategically decided to acquire a large fleet of Smart Work Zone trailers. These trailers were sitting unused in a field in Arkansas and required significant repairs. With a tight deadline, my dad, uncle, cousin, and I undertook transporting and refurbishing them. We used over 30 flatbed trucks and two forklifts weekly to move the trailers to Minnesota, all in a week. We spent long, hot July days in a farm field, sanding and spray-painting the trailers orange–literally spray-painting the entire trailer. This process consumed 10+ hours daily for several weeks, during which we cleaned out all of the orange spray paint from the local hardware stores!
As the CEO, what are you most proud of?
I am proud of how we’ve maintained our core values of exceptional customer service and our focus on employee satisfaction throughout the ups and downs of the past 25 years. Our high Net Promoter Score (NPS) reflects the genuine appreciation our customers have for our service, and our relatively low employee turnover speaks to our positive work culture.
Does anything work-related keep you up at night?
For the past twenty years, my main focus has been growing the business while ensuring we continue providing exceptional customer service. I’ve been surrounded by a talented and dedicated team from the beginning. Early on, I realized that the business needed to grow to keep the team motivated and advance their careers. Today, I remain focused on expanding the company while staying true to our values of customer service, technological innovation, and employee success. Having such a great team allows me to sleep well…most nights.
What excites you about the future of Street Smart?
As a self-proscribed technology “geek,” I am thrilled about Street Smart’s future. We’ve never been in a better position. The coming decade will bring significant changes to road construction and job site security. As we move into a more data-driven world with advancements in technologies like large language models (LLMs) and Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), Street Smart is well-positioned to remain on the leading edge of these changes and to help customers drive innovation throughout our industry.
Interested in learning how Street Smart can improve work zone safety on your next project?
View Our Solutions: www.streetsmartrental.com
E-Mail Street Smart: sales@streetsmartrental.com
Phone: 888.653.6800