Star Headlight & Lantern

What Star Headlight & Lantern does

Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc. — operating today as Star Safety Technologies by Grote — is a U.S.-based manufacturer of LED warning lights, beacons, minibars, light bars, railroad lanterns, and related mounting accessories, headquartered in Avon, New York and operating from a single facility founded in 1889. The company designs, manufactures, and assembles its products domestically and holds ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification. Its proprietary technology stack centers on several trademarked LED platforms — Star Generation IV LEDs, X-Fire™ LED, Lineum LED, and the S-Link System™ synchronization protocol — together with programmable flash-pattern firmware supporting 12 to 36 selectable patterns and polycarbonate/ABS form factors ranging from ultra-thin 0.6-inch bezels (DLXT*MC) to compact Class 1 beacons (X-Fire) and 360-degree products (79243 Low Profile 360° Beacon, 9900LED Equalizer Minibar).

The product portfolio is organized across four primary use-case segments: Emergency & Police Services (light bars, beacons, Workshield), Railroad (2021 LED and 2012 LED Trainman's Lantern), School Bus Transportation (auxiliary warning kits), and Utility & Construction (Hi-Viz worksite lighting, Ford F-Series mounting brackets). Supporting these are control products such as the SB44 Advanced Programmable Switchbox and configuration tools like the WebGL-based Phazer Configurator for LED tow bars.

Commercially, Star Safety Technologies operates a B2B-led go-to-market built around an authorized distributor network (with a 'Become a Distributor' portal, sales-rep search, online catalogs, and list price sheets), supplemented by direct e-commerce for SMB/end-customer purchases and dedicated phone lines for General Information, Customer Service, and Railroad Department inquiries. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of LED lighting equipment, with secondary aftermarket revenue from replacement bulbs and strobe tubes. Following its acquisition by Grote Industries, the company now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within Grote's broader commercial-vehicle lighting portfolio.

Name

Star Headlight & Lantern

Legal name

Star Headlight & Lantern Co, Inc.

Website

https://star1889.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Star Safety Technologies (formerly Star Headlight & Lantern, a Grote Industries subsidiary, founded 1889) manufactures LED warning lights, beacons, minibars, railroad lanterns, and accessories for emergency services, railroad, school bus, and utility/construction markets, sold through distributors and direct channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Vehicle Warning Lighting

NAICS

Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Signaling & Stack Lights (Tower/andon lights, beacons, strobes, signal columns) (IMAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)

Keywords

• LED warning lights
• Emergency vehicle lighting
• Railroad lanterns
• Beacon light bars
• Safety lighting equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Avon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. LED Lighting Hardware Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling LED emergency lights, warning beacons, light bars, railroad lanterns, and accessories. Products sold through distributor network and direct e-commerce. Revenue is one-time hardware purchase model with potential replacement parts (bulbs, strobe tubes) as secondary stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Star Headlight & Lantern (operating as Star Safety Technologies by Grote) manufactures LED warning lights, beacons, light bars, railroad lanterns, and related accessories for emergency vehicles, police, fire, EMS, railroad, school bus, and utility/construction applications. Products include proprietary technologies such as Star Generation IV LEDs, X-Fire LED, Lineum LED, and the S-Link System for synchronization, designed and assembled in the USA.

Product overview

Star Safety Technologies by Grote (formerly Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.) is a manufacturer of safety and warning lighting equipment for emergency vehicles, railroad, and related applications. The product portfolio centers on LED-based warning lights, beacons, light bars, lanterns, and accessories organized across three main categories: Amber/Emergency & Police lights (including the X-Fire LED beacon series, Workshield, Low Profile 360° Beacon, Equalizer Minibar, Star Contour Dual-Color Mini-Bar, Quick Stick Series, and School Bus Kit), Railroad lights (including the 2021 LED Trainmans Lantern and 2012 LED Trainmans Lantern), and European products. Supporting these core lighting products are accessories such as the SB44 Advanced Programmable Switchbox, Star Phazer LED Tow Bars, and Ford F-Series Brackets. The company also offers proprietary technologies including S-Link System™ for LED synchronization and Lineum LED technology used across their light bar and tow bar products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Workshield: Ultra-thin profile bezel mount safety light for worksite visibility, used in applications for Police, Fire, EMS, and Utility work.
• 79243 Low Profile 360° Beacon
• SB44 Advanced Programmable Switchbox
• 2021-LED Trainman Lantern
• X-Fire LED Lights
• 9900LED Equalizer Minibar
• Quick Stick Series

Products and services

• Workshield An ultra-thin profile bezel mount safety light that enhances worksite visibility, designed to be used with or without an external flasher. Targeted at Police, Fire, EMS, and Utility workers where Hi-Viz clothing is required.
• 79243 Low Profile 360° Beacon A low-profile beacon built with Star Generation IV LEDs featuring reliable environmental protection, S-Link System™ synchronizing capabilities, polarity protection, and polycarbonate lens and base. Designed for emergency and warning applications.
• SB44 Advanced Programmable Switchbox A compact 8-button control panel switchbox that fits in the palm of a hand, capable of operating up to 8 lights or devices with programmable switching options and smartphone programmability. Used to control emergency vehicle lighting systems.
• 2021 LED Trainmans Lantern LED trainman's lantern operating with 3 C-cell batteries, featuring 20% brighter LEDs than the 2012-LED model and a low-voltage red LED that indicates when battery replacement is needed. Designed for railroad workers and trainmen.
• School Bus Kit An auxiliary warning light kit that increases safety of children boarding or leaving a stopped school bus by adding two red LED lights above the front and rear bumpers to alert motorists.
• Multi-Color DLXT*MC An ultra-thin 0.6-inch thick LED light with tri-color thirty-six super bright Star LEDs, offering twenty different selectable flash patterns with auxiliary Stop/Tail/Turn or Back-up functionality. Used on emergency and utility vehicles.
• X-Fire LED Lights (201ZLX Class I) The smallest Class 1 beacon available, featuring X-Fire LED technology with 12 different selectable flash patterns plus steady-on, built with a durable ABS plastic base.
• 9900LED Equalizer Minibar The smallest minibar Star offers, featuring four bright Lineum LED heads providing 360-degree coverage with 12 customer-selectable flash patterns in two phases plus steady-on, rated SAE Class I in amber.
• Star Phazer LED Tow Bars Economically designed LED tow bars built with Star's Lineum Technology, featuring 12 customer-selectable flash patterns and extra bright PC amber Lineum LED heads.
• Dual-Color Mini-Bar (9100dled Star Contour) A full dual-color mini-bar with 35 selectable flash patterns, rated Class 1 in amber/blue and amber/white configurations.
• X-Fire LED Lights (266TCL and 266TSL) Beacon lights featuring X-Fire Technology with 12 different selectable flash patterns in either of two phases, plus steady-on, built with durable polycarbonate twist on/off lens.
• Quick Stick Series The next generation of warning sticks that are waterproof for interior or exterior mount, featuring 34 customer-selectable warning flash patterns plus 5 phase options and built-in traffic director patterns.
• Ford F-Series Bracket (BBK274-FH and BBK274-FL) A truck bracket that mounts with the third brake light, eliminating the need to drill holes. Fits Ford F-150, F-250, and F-350 model trucks and is lightweight.
• 2012 LED Trainmans Lantern Battery-powered LED lantern for trainmen, predecessor to the 2021 LED Trainmans Lantern model.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% brighter LEDs than previous 2012-LED model (2021 Trainmans Lantern)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Grote IndustriescoreOthersGrote Industries acquired Star Headlight & Lantern Co, Inc. The acquired company now operates as 'Star Safety Technologies by Grote'. This is a parent-subsidiary relationship where Grote Industries owns Star Headlight & Lantern.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Truck-Lite: Truck-Lite is a major manufacturer of LED vehicle lighting for commercial trucks, trailers, and emergency vehicles, with overlapping LED warning and marker light products.
• Grote Industries:
• ECCO Safety Group: ECCO Safety Group manufactures commercial vehicle safety lighting, beacons, back-up alarms, and warning products, overlapping with Star's utility, construction, and emergency lighting categories.
• Federal Signal: Federal Signal is a publicly-traded diversified industrial company whose public safety group manufactures warning lights, sirens, and beacons for emergency vehicles and roadway safety, overlapping with Star's portfolio at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Whelen Engineering: Whelen Engineering is one of the largest manufacturers of emergency vehicle warning lights, light bars, sirens, and beacons for police, fire, and EMS, directly competing with Star's amber/emergency product line.
• Code 3 (ESL/East Side Group): Code 3 designs and manufactures emergency vehicle lighting and warning systems including light bars, beacons, and sirens, serving the same police, fire, and EMS customers as Star Headlight & Lantern.
• SoundOff Signal: SoundOff Signal produces LED warning lights, light bars, and control systems for emergency, commercial, and utility vehicles, directly competing with Star's emergency lighting product range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/star1889

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Headlight & Lantern