About Us

In 1920, a young immigrant, William Baum, inspired by his faith and the idea of what America can be, opened his sign business in New York City. His humble small business started like so many other American stories, fueled by determination and a dream, an American Dream. He kept the company afloat during the Great Depression and helped set the course for a century of craftsmanship through his steadfast determination. His son, Elihu, joined the business after serving in the army during World War II and his artistry and business temperament expanded W&E Baum’s customer base nationally, and around the world. In 1975, Elihu’s son, Richard, joined the company, shortly followed by Elihu’s son-in law Maurice Zagha. They continue to lead the company today with a third partner, Heshy Spira.

No line in history is a straight path, and through multiple economic downturns, 9/11, and most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic, W&E Baum has persevered and come out stronger. Always being there for our customers to help honor their communities in good times and bad. The story of America and W&E Baum is a story of hope, challenges, and above all, perseverance, and just like America, the story of W&E Baum is still being written today.

On behalf of the Baum, Zagha and Spira families, we thank you for visiting our website and learning about our 100+ year history. 

Under the leadership of Richard Baum, Maurice Zagha, and Heshy Spira, W&E Baum is proudly recognized as the premier designer and manufacturer of unequaled, innovative, recognition and memorial products. We proudly serve national and global clients from our factory in Freehold, New Jersey.

Our customers include houses of worship, non-profit organizations, major hospitals, universities, colleges, schools, museums, arts centers, libraries and corporations across the United States and abroad.

For more than a century, our mission has been to deliver the finest, most creative quality donor recognition and memorial products to thank, honor, memorialize and reward outstanding individuals, families, corporations, and organizations.  We stand prepared to translate your vision into elegantly realized creative works of art.

If you can imagine it, we can make it. Our designers interpret your goals and introduce creative graphic dimension to your criteria, ensuring your piece is actualized with style and grace. Many of our recognition products are custom, one-of-a- kind pieces designed by our in-house artists; or we can provide beautiful variations on stock selections. Whatever your dream, our graphic design team turns your vision into reality with finesse.

Your journey with W&E Baum begins with our Customer Team who will guide you through the design and manufacturing process. Our team will be with you from the first meetings with our Artisans and Designers through manufacturing and installation. Whatever products you desire - custom donor recognition walls, memorials, custom donor recognition trees, plaques, presentations, nameplates, creative recognition awards, signage, or something completely new - each piece is carefully designed to suit your requirements.

Please view our company video from 2003 to learn about our history and see how we began our factory's digital transformation at the turn of the 21st century. We knew then that the digital era would transform production. Over the last two decades, we have continuously invested in next-generation technology platforms and systems while maintaining our craftsmanship and customized approach to everything we develop.  

In 2009, our facility was crowned with solar panels to reduce our energy footprint at our Freehold headquarters. We are also dedicated to using greener, water-based lacquers, and committed to EPA compliant spraying and dust collection techniques, which not only supports the environment but can help your building achieve LEED, (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), certification.

Click on the video below to gain insights into how we provide churches with the donor recognition solutions they are looking for.