Grote acquires Star Headlight & Lantern Co.

The truck lighting product provider has acquired Star Headlight & Lantern Co., adding the company's portfolio of lighting products to its own.

FleetOwner Staff

April 20, 2023

2 min read

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Grote Industries has acquired Star Headlight & Lantern Co.. The acquisition will become part of the newly created Star Safety Technologies by Grote, a Grote Industries holding company.

Founded in 1889, Star has provided lighting products to a variety of industries, including the rail, amber light, and emergency lighting markets. Under this new ownership, Star Safety Technologies will continue to support these markets while benefiting from the combined resources and expertise of the two companies to innovate and grow, according to a Grote press release.

“As a long-standing supplier partner to Grote for some of its key warning and hazard products, Star caught our attention with its great quality, innovation, and approach to serving their markets,” says Mike Grote, who will serve as general manager for the holding company. “We are excited about building upon the rich legacy Star has developed over its 134-year multi-generational history within the Jacobs family.”

(Left to right): Josh Wilbur, director of human resources (Grote); Brian Blanton, CFO (Grote); Mike Grote, general manager (Star Safety Technologies by Grote); John Green, VP and COO (Star Headlight and Lantern Co.); Christopher D. Jacobs, owner and CEO (Star Headlight and Lantern Co.); Dominic Grote, president (Grote)

Dominic Grote, president and CEO of Grote Industries, said, “When looking for great companies that can help us serve our customers and markets better, the opportunity with Star was a perfect fit. Both our companies have been built not only on strong family leadership and commitment to their customers but also on great people and team members that work together in an environment of trust, integrity, responsibility, and respect. This addition to the Grote family of businesses demonstrates our commitment to embracing opportunities that will help us get closer to our customers and grow and scale our capability to innovate and bring safer, smarter products to the markets we serve.”

Christopher D. Jacobs, owner and CEO of Star Headlight & Lantern Company, said he is excited about what the future holds for the company’s team in Avon, New York, its customers, and the surrounding community, stating, “As a fifth-generation family business founded in 1889, we are committed to doing what is right for our team, our community, and our customers. After much consideration and careful evaluation of what is best for Star, we are confident that under the Grote family care and leadership, the Jacobs family legacy of bringing innovative, high-quality products to its customers will continue and prosper.”