Grote Engineers Light For Higher Productivity, Profits

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, USA (Oct. 31, 2007) -- Founded over 105 years ago, Grote Industries has a rich history in original thinking and continues to be one of the most innovative thought leaders in the vehicle lighting industry. More than 20 years ago, Chairman and CEO Bill Grote set forth his vision to strategically use light to optimize operational and human performance within the transportation industry.

The ultimate objective was to use Grote’s insight, innovation and intelligent engineering, to create high-performance lighting solutions that ultimately help its customer’s remain more profitable by optimizing their workforce productivity.

“Bill Grote accurately predicted that LED lighting, which is more energy efficient, lasts longer, and can better withstand vibration, would improve safety, worker productivity and save its customers money,” said Dominic Grote, vice president of sales and marketing for Grote Industries.

From Bill’s vision, Grote developed an LED master plan and dedicated significant monetary and human resources to bring LED technology to the industry.  Just as Grote had pioneered fluorescent and HID technology, they did the same with LEDs – quite literally bringing the first LED lighting products to market over 20 years ago.

In 2006 and 2007 alone, Grote Industries has had an impressive pipeline of LED innovation feeding the market.  From its new LED WhiteLight^TM line of interior LED lamps, to innovative military applications, to its futuristic Ultra-Box^TM receptacle nose box design, and its Trilliant^TM LED WhiteLight work lamp line, Grote has been prolific. Grote engineers have worked with customers and have spent countless hours in the field, conceiving of LED applications designed to enhance human productivity and performance, and to benefit business productivity and profitability.

“We’re literally changing the way the transportation industry sees light and how it fits into to their business objectives,” said Grote. “In vehicle interiors for instance, we offer the highest output and coolest operating interior LED products on the market.”

Most recently, the company introduced advanced LED lighting colors that reduce stress and provide optimum viewing comfort. Faster than anyone else, Grote has commercialized LED production and is now addressing more interior LED product applications as well.

In the exterior environment, Grote Industries is preparing to put LED WhiteLight technology to work in applications such as agriculture, construction, fire, rescue and EMS, aviation ground support, forestry, mining, landscaping, and law enforcement to name a few.

With clear advantages in light quality, longer life, durability, and power consumption, as well as beam reach, pattern and control; Grote predicts LED lighting will substantially displace HID lighting in the majority of applications, moving forward. Grote Industries also predicts that 2008 will be a truly breakout year for LED applications.

“With the advancements in our LED technology, a production car or truck completely lit, inside and out, with LEDs is now a practical reality,” added Grote. “And we’re making that possible.”

In fact, Grote now has Military applications for both interior and exterior LED technologies that fit that bill.

The LED lamps offer stealth characteristics on the battlefield that give the US military strategic advantages over its enemies.

“It’s simple. Any mechanized vehicle that has humans controlling it, working in, or around it, needs appropriate, reliable lighting that meets both legal and functional requirements. Many OEs are looking for exactly that, and they get it all with Grote LED lighting products,” said Grote.

Grote has also distinctively pointed out the difference between “brightly lit” and “optimally lit” environments. The most advantageous environment is one that provides optimum comfort to avoid fatigue, stress or injury. It’s in the delivery of this application expertise that Grote engineering really shines.

“We call what we’re doing ergonomic lighting because we are truly engineering light to meet the specifications of unique environments – optimizing the lighting conditions of these environments, specifically for the tasks to be performed within them,” added Grote.

In commercial applications, the ultimate result is a safer, happier, better performing workforce that brings higher profits to the bottom line, through superior productivity. That workforce will be using more reliable, more durable, longer-lasting lighting products that reduce downtime, and lower repair costs.

In the transportation industry, electronics rank third, closely behind tires and suspension systems, as a critical issue for fleet managers and owner operators. Grote’s goal is to respect the importance of electronics; in this case, offering fully integrated systems from nose box, to harness, to modular wiring and lamps. Grote designs and engineers lighting solutions that build business value for its customers. 

This vision underscores Grote’s long-standing value as “The first name in vehicle safety systems” as it relates to workers, their well-being and their performance.

As a symbol of commitment to continue its leadership in LED WhiteLight innovation, Grote has invested in a new 40,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The new high-volume plant is where Grote’s LED circuit boards and specialty LED products are assembled. The facility also hosts the Grote Electronics team of experienced electrical, mechanical and manufacturing engineers who work closely with Grote’s supply chain and end-users to create and deliver viable, practical lighting solutions.

In addition, Grote has won awards for its LED-focused robotics manufacturing innovations in its Madison, Indiana facility, as further evidence of the company’s ingenuity and drive, to lead the industry in the LED product-manufacturing arena.

  Grote Electronics, an ISO/TS16949:2002 facility joins other Grote Industries' North American operations in the United States and Monterey, Mexico.

 Grote Industries is a QS-9000, TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified company. The leading manufacturer and marketer of vehicle safety systems products, Grote Industries makes LED, fluorescent and incandescent lamps, mirrors, wiring systems, turn signal switches, connection accessories and reflective accessories. For more than 100 years, Grote has provided state-of-the-art solutions for OEM and after-market customers worldwide. Headquartered in Madison, Indiana, USA, Grote also maintains joint venture operations in Europe and Asia.

LED WhiteLight, Ultra-Box and Trilliant are trademarks of Grote Industries.

High Resolution Images:

Trilliant LED Whitelight Work Lamp

UltraBox Nose Box

UltraBox Nose Box Open

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