History
About Truck-Lite Europe
Advancing the Safety of Transportation Worldwide
Let There Be Light
Truck-Lite Europe, as it stands today, can trace its roots to two groundbreaking concepts that revolutionized truck and trailer safety lighting on a global scale. The journey began a century ago in London, UK, with the issuance of the first-ever patent for rubber lamps designed for commercial vehicles, giving rise to the renowned brand name Rubbolite.
Fast forward to 1955 in Jamestown, New York, where George Baldwin had a moment of inspiration. A truck driver by trade, he conceived the world's inaugural sealed marker light from his own home, utilising his kitchen sink for quality control.
These pioneering innovations paved the way for remarkable commercial success and global expansion. The convergence of these two entities, and many others along the way, resulted in the formation of the contemporary Truck-Lite, boasting a workforce of over 1,000 employees and a widespread customer base spanning the globe.
Original Truck-Lite Location, Jamestown, NY
Rubbolite House building, Epping forest, Essex, UK
HISTORY OF DELIVERING
SOLUTIONS TO THE INDUSTRY
We are no stranger to innovation - delivering consistent world and industry first’s product solutions to commercial transportation since our very first eureka moment a century ago.
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Flexible Lamps Ltd established in London, UK
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Design patent for world first rubber lamp for commercial vehicles awarded
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Introduction of the famous brand name “Rubbolite”
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Truck-Lite Established
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World’s 1st Independent Ground Wiring System
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First company in the transportation industry to use polycarbonate material for light housing and lenses
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World’s 1st Sealed Wiring Harness System
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Acquired Do-Ray
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Introduced the Super 40, the industry’s first sealed and shock-mounted stop/turn/tail lamp
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Introduced the first full-system lighting and harness written warranty
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Introduced world’s first LED S/T/T lamp
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Offered First Lifetime Harness Warranty
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Introduced the first white LED license, dome, and back-up lights
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Introduced LED lighting to military market
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Acquired Raydyot (Birmingham, UK), entering the mirror market
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Truck-Lite acquired the assets of Signal-Stat Lighting Products, gaining manufacturing processes for sealed and bulb-replaceable lighting, turn signals, emergency lighting and vehicle accessories
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Acquired FER (Eisenach, Germany), establishing European lighting manufacturing
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Acquired Rubbolite (Harlow, UK) increasing European OEM and aftermarket lighting
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Introduced first LED Headlamp System
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Acquired Davco (Saline, MI), entering processor business
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Introduced world’s first DOT-compliant 7” round LED headlight
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Introduced the first LED mini marker clearance light
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Introduced world’s first custom-designed LED headlight for Class 8 trucks
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Acquired Rigid Industries (Phoenix, AZ), expanding LED lighting presence
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Introduced the ROADMAX™ custom LED headlight system for the medium-duty market
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Clarience Technologies Parent Company established
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Introduced A2Z for eMobility Initiative for the electric future
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Introduced Next Generation Technology LED Projector Headlights