Is Desperate Enterprises Made in USA?
Last checked Nov 7, 2026 · 5 verified products · see the evidence
Verdict · checked Nov 1, 2026
Yes
Desperate Enterprises makes its licensed reproduction tin and metal signs in Ohio. Its About page states: "Our products are and always will be MADE IN THE U.S.A.!!" and says the company "has been in business since 1987 located here in Northeast Ohio." It lists its address as 2211 Medina Rd, Bldg 700, Medina, OH.
| Product line | Made in | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed tin signs (beer, comics, firearms, automotive) | Medina, OH | Made in USA |
| Aluminum bottle-cap and die-cut metal signs | Medina, OH | Made in USA |
| Backlit acrylic LED signs | USA (per product page) | Made in USA |
The company was founded by Ohio entrepreneur Robert (Bob) Secrist, a collector of antique advertising, to reproduce iconic American ads and signs under license from brands such as Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, General Motors and DC Comics. Individual product pages repeat the claim; even the backlit LED signs list "Made In: U.S.A."
How we checked: On 2026-11-01 we read Desperate Enterprises' About Us page, its site footer and contact details, and the origin field on one of its LED sign product pages on desperate.com.
Sources: Desperate Enterprises About Us: MADE IN THE U.S.A., Northeast Ohio since 1987 · Desperate Enterprises 23in LED Hamm's Bear sign: Made In U.S.A
American Score
Average American Score across 5 listed products. Only products at 70% or higher appear on this site.
Manufacturing Details
- Made in
- Medina, OH
- Headquarters
- Medina, OH
- Location detail
- Specific city confirmed
- History
- Long record of US manufacturing
- Founded
- 1987
How we verified Desperate Enterprises
Most recent check: Nov 7, 2026
From the brand's website
US-manufacturing statement found on desperate.com · checked Nov 7, 2026
Store listings
We read the live store listing for 5 of the 5 Desperate Enterprises products on this page (most recently Nov 7, 2026). All of them state US origin on the listing itself:
- “Made in the USA” on Desperate Enterprises Busch Light Hunting Bottle Cap Sign - Garage Signs - Beer Signs - Vintage Metal Signs -
- “Made in USA” on Desperate Enterprises PBR - Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Tin Sign - Nostalgic Vintage Metal Wall Décor
- “Made in USA” on Desperate Enterprises Budweiser - Clydesdales Tin Sign - Nostalgic Vintage Metal Wall Décor
Ongoing monitoring
We scan news for factory closures, offshoring and ownership changes. Last scan Nov 5, 2026: no change found.
These checks are run by our software on a schedule: brand websites are re-read about every three weeks, store listings weekly, and news is scanned monthly. Every flag is checked against its original source before anything on this page changes. How the American Score works.
Free Weekly Newsletter
American-Made Finds
One maker's story, the brands newly listed here, and a few US-made picks, every Thursday.
About Desperate Enterprises
Desperate Enterprises makes licensed reproduction tin and metal signs in Medina, Ohio, and has done so since Bob Secrist started the company in 1987.
Six images at a flea market
Ohio entrepreneur Robert (Bob) Secrist collected antique advertising and signage. He founded Desperate Enterprises in 1987 to reproduce old American ads as metal signs at modest prices, starting with six images sold at flea markets and antique shows. Its About page quotes the line from Thoreau's Walden about "desperate enterprises."
The catalog now runs past 830 images, mostly 12.5 by 16 inch rectangles and 11.75 inch rounds. The company holds licenses from DC Comics, Warner Brothers, Ford, Coca-Cola, General Motors and Anheuser-Busch, which is why its signs carry names like Budweiser, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Busch Light and Smith and Wesson.
Signs, bottle caps and LEDs from Medina
The About page says: "Our products are and always will be MADE IN THE U.S.A.!!" and places the company in Northeast Ohio since 1987. Its address is 2211 Medina Rd in Medina.
The statement covers the tin signs, the aluminum bottle-cap and die-cut signs, and even the backlit LED signs, whose product pages list "Made In: U.S.A."
American-Made Desperate Enterprises Products
USA Verified
USA Verified
USA Verified
USA Verified
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desperate Enterprises made in the USA?
Yes. Desperate Enterprises is made in the United States, with manufacturing in Medina, OH. Family-owned company founded in 1987 by Robert (Bob) Secrist. Manufactures reproduction tin and metal advertising signs at its facility in Medina, OH. Website states 'Our products are and always will be MADE IN THE U.S.A.' on the About Us page (desperate.com/about-us).
Where is Desperate Enterprises made?
Desperate Enterprises is made in Medina, OH. The company is headquartered in Medina, OH.
Which Desperate Enterprises products are made in the USA?
The site lists 5 verified American-made Desperate Enterprises products in Home & Kitchen. Each one links to a store that sells it.
Where are Desperate Enterprises tin signs made?
In Medina, Ohio. The company says its products "are and always will be MADE IN THE U.S.A." and lists its address as 2211 Medina Rd, Bldg 700, Medina, OH 44256.
Are Desperate Enterprises signs officially licensed?
Yes. The company says its American-made products are licensed, and it sells signs for brands including Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Warner Brothers and DC Comics.
Who founded Desperate Enterprises?
Ohio entrepreneur Robert (Bob) Secrist, an avid collector of antique advertisements and signage, who started the company to reproduce iconic American advertising. It has been in business since 1987.