The Illuminated Rise of Suma Industries

From Glow-in-the-Dark Novelties to Lifesaving Innovation

When most people think of glow-in-the-dark products, their minds might wander to novelty toys, glowing wristwatches, or perhaps the dashboard of a '90s sedan. But after September 11, 2001, the role of photoluminescent technology changed forever — and two New Yorkers, Arthur Forst and Robert Katz, were poised to be at the forefront of this quiet revolution in building safety.

The Spark That Started a Glow

SUMA Industries, Inc. was officially founded in June 2002 in New York City, a time and place still reeling from the devastation of the World Trade Center attacks. Forst, a trained biostatistician and the owner of a well-established sign manufacturing business, had already been dabbling in photoluminescent signs — a niche product with potential, but hardly a household name. Meanwhile, Katz was a seasoned advertising executive at BBDO, with major global accounts like Pepsi and Pharmacia under his belt.

Their paths crossed through a New York-based business networking group. What started as a conversation about opportunity quickly turned into a business plan. With Katz’s marketing expertise and Forst’s technical and manufacturing know-how, the two set out to launch SUMA Industries — a company dedicated to creating photoluminescent egress path marking systems that could literally lead people to safety when the lights go out.

Early Struggles and a Chrysler-Sized Break

In those early years, the challenge was real. Photoluminescent technology was evolving but still largely associated with zinc sulfide-based paints that were about as reliable as a flashlight with dead batteries. Convincing architects and building managers to adopt these systems was no small feat.

But momentum built quickly. SUMA’s big break came when they landed a contract to outfit the iconic 77-story Chrysler Building with a complete photoluminescent egress system — a high-profile job that gave them instant credibility. Shortly after, the United Nations World Headquarters followed with a three-year contract.

Shining A light on Building Safety

In 2006, a watershed moment arrived: New York City enacted a strict new building code requiring photoluminescent egress markings in high-rises. In 2014, it got even stricter. The new regulations aligned perfectly with SUMA’s mission and offerings. As the city began to enforce the codes, SUMA's phones rang off the hook.

By now, glow-in-the-dark paints were a thing of the past, replaced by high-efficiency strontium oxide aluminate pigments that could shine brightly for hours after just minutes of light exposure. With the technology catching up and regulations backing them, SUMA found itself at the helm of a rapidly growing industry.

Illuminating Skylines and Saving Lives

Fast forward 23 years, and SUMA’s photoluminescent systems are installed in more than 200 high-rise buildings across major urban centers — from New York and New Jersey to Washington, DC, and the towering skyline of Miami. Their glow-in-the-dark footprints can be seen inside the Hudson Yards towers, World Trade Center Towers Two and Four, and the soaring One Vanderbilt Avenue. Even the soon-to-reopen Waldorf Astoria Hotel will shine a little safer, thanks to SUMA.

But SUMA’s impact goes beyond commercial skyscrapers. Their systems are in schools, hospitals, and institutions where safety isn’t just a feature — it’s a lifeline. From NYU Langone to Sloan Kettering, their installations help protect some of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

The SUMA Standard: Compliance Is Just the Beginning

More than just a supplier of code-compliant safety products, SUMA has become an authority in the field. Their deep understanding of the psychological and logistical challenges of emergency evacuations — particularly in smoke-filled, unfamiliar stairwells — has made them a go-to resource for contractors, architects, and building managers alike.

Their mission is crystal clear: to provide high-performance, fully code-compliant egress marking systems that exceed UL 1994 and ASTM-E2072 standards. For SUMA, compliance isn’t the goal — it’s the starting point.

Lighting the Way Forward

Today, as photoluminescent building codes spread beyond New York to New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, SUMA is expanding right along with them. From a post-9/11 idea to a nationwide leader in safety, the journey of SUMA Industries is a story of resilience, innovation, and the quiet power of a guiding light.

Because in the end, it’s not just about glowing signs — it’s about helping people find their way out when every second counts