Lighting the way for 75 years
AMERICAN VEHICLE SAFETY LIGHTING manufacturer Peterson Manufacturing – active in New Zealand via distributor CDL Autoparts – is celebrating its 75th year in 2020. The company, which prides itself on “quality, USA-made products,” says it has a proud history of safety lighting innovations – and of keeping “solutions on the move in a competitive industry.”
Peterson has grown to a $US250million, multi-faceted business, serving customers across North America, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia, NZ, China and the Middle East.
President and CEO Don Armacost, Jr, whose father acquired the business in 1956, credits the company’s success to its long history of square dealings with customers, suppliers and employees: “That tradition has brought us a long ways. We’re not about to change it.”
On its 17-hectare Missouri campus, Peterson operates a 62,245 square metre facility, staffed and equipped “for cutting-edge” manufacturing.
“The vertically-integrated operation includes engineering and design, photometric and environmental testing, tool and die production, harness and wire manufacturing, plastic injection moulding, final assembly, warehousing, sales and customer service,” the company says.
Peterson VP sales Steve Meagher says that Peterson is “geared to meet specific customer challenges with speed, automated precision and USA-made quality – all at very competitive prices.”
Kristen Goodson, VP of product management, lists some of the Peterson brand’s innovations: “First in the industry with our vibration-proof Vibar socket. First North American manufacturer to earn ISO 9001/QS-9000 certification. First with our multi-function strobe and turn LEDs for the refuse industry.
“First manufacturer to introduce insert-moulding technology. First – and to-date only – to offer guaranteed moisture/corrosion-proof harness/lighting technology for trailers.....our amazing Defender system.
“And most recently, Peterson PULSE whole-trailer telematics, bringing realtime monitoring and alerts to drivers and fleet managers.”
Armacost Jr says: “While we celebrate our 75th year, my Dad’s vision for Peterson and our extraordinary associates will continue to guide our future: ‘Our goal has never been to be the biggest,’ Dad said – ‘just the best.’”
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They’re also easy to self-install: “Straightforward installation process helps managers get up and running without delay.”
Their theft-prevention features include sending automated unauthorised movement alerts and the ability to switch from ‘locate’ to ‘track' mode over the air – helping managers “increase their asset recovery rate, saving money and time.”
The company tracks and manages more than 550,000 vehicles and assets for over 40,000 companies globally.
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