What Lightner Electronics does

Lightner Electronics Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned systems integrator headquartered in a single 18,000 sq ft facility at 1771 Beaver Dam Road, Claysburg, PA. Founded in 1992 by Matthew Lightner, the company designs, sells, integrates, and services broadcast, audio/video, security, and IT systems for radio and TV broadcasters, government agencies, educational institutions, and commercial customers across the United States. Core offerings include turnkey radio station and studio builds, AM/FM and satellite transmission (as an authorized Nautel channel partner across 150W-80kW), custom pre-wiring harnesses, and mail-in or drop-off equipment repair, all supported by an in-house assembly plant, service department, and warehouse that enable pre-build and testing of complete studios, transmitters, and stations prior to deployment.

The company generates revenue through a mix of one-time broadcast equipment sales (new and refurbished), project-based professional services for A/V, security, networking, and IT design and installation, and a small recurring managed services line from 24x7 security and life-safety system monitoring. Go-to-market is direct and relationship-driven, combining enterprise field sales for large turnkey projects (e.g., a 19-studio build for Accu-Weather) with inside sales via phone and email for equipment, parts, and repair orders. Notable positions include the long-standing PEMA/PAB Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System maintenance contract, exclusive support rights and parts inventory for legacy Auditronics broadcast consoles, and a customer base spanning iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Citadel, Entercom, CNBC, Voice of America, Penn State, Northrop Grumman, and Norfolk Southern. The company is closely affiliated with Lightner Communications LLC, which operates WTRN radio from the same Claysburg facility.

Name

Lightner Electronics

Legal name

Lightner Electronics Inc.

Website

https://lightnerelectronics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lightner Electronics is a privately held, Claysburg, PA-based systems integrator founded in 1992 that designs, sells, integrates, and services broadcast, audio/video, security, and IT systems for U.S. radio/TV broadcasters, government, education, and commercial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Claysburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Broadcast equipment sales: Sells new and refurbished broadcast equipment including Nautel transmitters (150W to 80KW), AM/FM transmitters and antennae, studio equipment, automation software and systems. One-time hardware sales.
2. Reconditioned / pre-owned broadcast equipment: Refurbished and rebuilt broadcast equipment offered for resale; an online store is referenced as coming soon.
3. Audio/Video system design, integration and installation: Project-based revenue from design, equipment supply, integration and turnkey installation of A/V systems for conference rooms, auditoriums, theaters, houses of worship, gyms, museums and amusement parks. Includes consultation, design documentation, installation and training.
4. Equipment repair, refurbishment and loaner service: Mail-in and drop-off repair and refurbishment of broadcast, Pro AV and commercial electronic equipment, including Auditronics consoles. Includes loaner modules and modules/parts replacement. Items returned UPS Ground using LEI shipping account; expedited shipping available.
5. 24x7 security and life-safety system monitoring: Recurring revenue from 24x7 monitoring contracts for intrusion, fire, smoke, water, temperature and other alarm systems installed by Lightner.
6. Contract engineering and consulting: Long-term contract engineering and consulting services for broadcasters and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency / Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, including transmitter maintenance, FCC compliance inspections, due diligence, signal coverage studies and emergency after-hours transmitter repairs.
7. IT and networking design, sales and support: Custom-built PCs/servers, VoIP and phone systems, LAN/WAN, datacenter, UPS, automation and control system design, installation and ongoing support, including computer repair and network security services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lightner Electronics Inc. is a full-service systems integrator founded in 1992 that designs, supplies, integrates, installs and services audio/video, broadcast, security, and IT/networking systems for commercial, institutional and broadcasting customers. The company operates an 18,000 sq ft Claysburg, PA facility that enables in-house pre-build, testing and refurbishment of studios, transmitters and complete stations prior to on-site deployment.

Product overview

Lightner Electronics Inc. is a single integrated service-and-integration business rather than a multi-module software platform; its portfolio is delivered as a unified set of engineering, design, equipment-supply, installation, and after-sales support capabilities housed in one 18,000 sq ft facility in Claysburg, PA. The company's named offerings include its Broadcast Services (including Nautel Transmitter Sales & Service and Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System maintenance), Audio & Video Systems, Security Systems, Networking & IT, the acquired Auditronics Console Support & Parts line, and its Repairs & Refurbishment service, all backed by a shared in-house technical service facility that services what the company sells across each line.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audio/Video System Design, Integration and Installation
• Broadcast Equipment Sales
• Equipment Repair, Refurbishment and Loaner Service
• 24x7 Security and Life-Safety System Monitoring
• IT and Networking Design, Sales and Support
• In-House Pre-Build and Testing Facility

Quantifiable outcome

• 130+ broadcast studios designed and built
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers38 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• NautelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLightner Electronics sells, services and installs Nautel transmitters across the full power range from 150 watts to 80 kW. Nautel transmission products are a featured line for AM/FM broadcaster customers and are listed as a representative product line on the Broadcast service page. The relationship is described as a manufacturer-reseller / value-added channel partnership.
• AuditronicscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLightner Electronics purchased the support rights and a complete parts inventory for Auditronics broadcast consoles, including the 200, 210, 400, 800 series, Comet, and others. As a result, Lightner is the official source for Auditronics parts, manuals, technical support, repair and loaner modules. This gives Lightner a niche monopoly on Auditronics console support.
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightner holds a contract with PEMA and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters to maintain the Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System (EAS / EMnet) and ensure 24/7 continuous operation of alerts that notify Pennsylvania citizens of emergencies.
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint contract with PEMA to maintain the PA EAS / EMnet system. PAB's website and a dedicated 'PA EAS Network' microsite are referenced (lightnerelectronics.com/pab.htm). Matt Lightner serves as Engineering Consultant to PAB, a board member, and Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Emergency Communication Committee.
• Accu-WeatherflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLightner Electronics built 19 broadcast studios with routing and distribution systems for Accu-Weather. Output from these studios is heard on radio stations worldwide and on MS-NBC TV. Listed among flagship institutional / broadcast customers.
• Lightner Communications LLCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightner Communications LLC is the affiliated entity that operates WTRN radio (linked from the lightnerelectronics.com footer to publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/wtrn). The two entities share branding, a Claysburg, PA facility, and a phone number. The relationship appears to be a closely related corporate family rather than an arms-length third-party partnership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diversified: National systems integrator providing broadcast, AV, IT, and digital media infrastructure design and deployment. Directly comparable to Lightner's full-stack integrator offering, but operating at much larger scale across enterprise and broadcast customers.
• Heartland Video Systems: Broadcast systems integrator specializing in turnkey TV station builds, master control, and automation for broadcasters. Closely comparable to Lightner's broadcast engineering and studio build services for radio and TV stations.
• RF Specialties Group: Network of broadcast equipment dealers providing RF transmission gear sales, installation, and service to radio and TV broadcasters. Comparable to Lightner's Nautel transmitter reselling and RF engineering capabilities.
• SCMS: Broadcast equipment dealer and systems integrator serving radio and TV broadcasters across the U.S. Southeast. Comparable to Lightner's broadcast equipment supply and contract engineering services.
• Ford Audio-Video: Commercial AV integrator serving houses of worship, corporate, education, and government clients across the U.S. Comparable to Lightner's A/V integration services for similar customer verticals including worship and education.
• Snader and Associates: Broadcast systems integration and engineering services provider serving television and radio stations. Comparable to Lightner's broadcast engineering, equipment sales, and contract engineering business.

Broad incumbents

• AVI-SPL: Largest global AV systems integrator, delivering video conferencing, collaboration, and digital workplace solutions. Comparable to Lightner's A/V integration business but broader in scope and without the broadcast specialty or Nautel transmitter focus.
• Bexel (NEP Group): Provider of broadcast equipment rental, sales, and production services within NEP Group's broader live and broadcast services platform. Comparable to Lightner's broadcast equipment, repair, and turnkey studio work, but at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookm.facebook.com/Lightner-Electronics-Inc-655353917815628

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Lightner Electronics