Panelite
Panelite manufactures aftermarket stainless steel accessories (bug deflectors, sunvisors, panels, lite bars) and LED lighting for Class 8 commercial trucks across eight major North American OEM brands, distributed via OE dealership systems, distributors, and field sales, operating as a brand within High Bar Brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersCambridge, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Panelite does
Panelite is a Cambridge, Ontario-based manufacturer of aftermarket stainless steel accessories and integrated LED lighting products for Class 8 commercial trucks, founded circa 1985 and operating for approximately 40 years. The company's product catalog spans bug deflectors, sunvisors, cab and sleeper panels, hood panels, hood extension panels, fender guards, lite bars, air cleaner lite boxes, fuel tank strap covers, and GLO-LITES LED lighting (including the M1, M3, and M5 Lite Series with configurable lens, connector, and mounting options). Products are organized under two sub-brands launched in October 2025: Elite, built with premium 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and durability, and Select, built with cost-effective 430 stainless steel for price-sensitive markets. The catalog is structured by truck brand compatibility across all eight major North American Class 8 OEMs — CAT, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo, and Western Star — plus a universal accessories line.
The business model is one-time hardware sales of aftermarket accessories, distributed through a multi-channel network: OE dealership ordering systems with part numbers integrated into Paccar (Kenworth/Peterbilt), Navistar (International), Mack Compass, and Freightliner Paragon platforms; a North American distributor network locatable via the company website; direct e-commerce at panelite.com; and a field sales force of approximately 20 named territory and regional managers covering the United States, Canada, and Mexico/LATAM. Pricing is quote-based with no public list prices; products are sold individually or in packs (e.g., 10-packs for commercial dealers). The customer base is fragmented across commercial truck fleets, individual owner-operators, and OEM-authorized dealerships, with no named anchor accounts disclosed.
Panelite operates as a brand within High Bar Brands (HBB), a diversified portfolio company headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota, that also owns Betts HD, Dieters, Globetech, Minimizer, Premier Manufacturing, and Viking. The company self-describes as the most OEM awarded name in high-quality stainless steel accessories for commercial trucks. Headcount is in the 11–50 range, and no revenue, funding, or M&A data is publicly disclosed.
Panelite firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Panelite
- Website
- https://panelite.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Panelite manufactures aftermarket stainless steel accessories (bug deflectors, sunvisors, panels, lite bars) and LED lighting for Class 8 commercial trucks across eight major North American OEM brands, distributed via OE dealership systems, distributors, and field sales, operating as a brand within High Bar Brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Panelite industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Truck Accessories
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing (336360)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aftermarket Lighting & Visibility Products Manufacturing (Bulbs/LED Kits/Headlamps/Mirrors/Cameras) (IMACANAG), Automotive Lighting Assemblies Manufacturing (Headlamps/Taillamps/Interior Lamps/DRLs) (IMACAKAG)
Keywords
Where Panelite is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Panelite business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Truck Accessories Sales: One-time hardware sales of stainless steel aftermarket accessories for commercial Class 8 trucks. Products include bug deflectors, sunvisors, cab panels, sleeper panels, hood panels, air cleaner lite boxes, fender guards, and LED lighting products. Sold individually or in packs (e.g., 10-packs for commercial dealers).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Panelite product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Panelite manufactures and sells aftermarket stainless steel accessories and LED lighting products for Class 8 commercial trucks. Its catalog includes bug deflectors, sunvisors, cab panels, sleeper panels, hood panels, fender guards, air cleaner lite boxes, fuel tank strap covers, lite bars, and wire harnesses, organized under the Elite (304 stainless) and Select (430 stainless) sub-brands and offered for CAT, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo, and Western Star trucks.
Product overview
Panelite is an aftermarket stainless steel parts and accessories manufacturer for heavy-duty commercial trucks, operating as part of High Bar Brands. The company has over 40 years of experience and is recognized as the most OEM awarded name in high quality stainless steel accessories. Panelite's product portfolio is organized into two main sub-brands: Elite (premium 304 stainless steel) and Select (cost-effective 430 stainless steel). The core product offerings include bug deflectors, cab panels, sleeper panels, sunvisors, fender guards, lite bars, hood panels, air cleaner lite boxes, fuel tank strap covers, GLO-LITES LED lighting, and wire harnesses. Products are categorized by truck brand compatibility including CAT, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo, and Western Star, with additional universal accessories that fit multiple brands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Elite: Premium sub-brand featuring 304 stainless steel, renowned for its corrosion resistance and long-lasting durability.
- Select
Products and services
- Elite Sub-brand Premium line of stainless steel truck accessories manufactured from 304 stainless steel, positioned for corrosion resistance and long-lasting durability for heavy-duty commercial truck owners and dealerships.
- Select Sub-brand Cost-effective line of stainless steel truck accessories manufactured from 430 stainless steel, designed for cost-sensitive buyers in the heavy-duty truck aftermarket.
- Stainless Steel Bug Deflectors
Companies that use Panelite
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Panelite technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Panelite partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- High Bar BrandscorePanelite is owned and operated by High Bar Brands (HBB), a portfolio company headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota. High Bar Brands includes other truck accessory brands: Betts HD, Dieters, Globetech, Minimizer, Premier Manufacturing, and Viking.
- Dieter's AccessoriescoreRelated brand under High Bar Brands portfolio. Dieters (dietersaccessories.com) serves as the main website for additional accessory products. Panelite and Dieter's share resources and distribution channels.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Panelite competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Panelite social profiles
Digital presencePanelite financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Panelite leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Panelite funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Panelite M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Panelite
What does Panelite do?
Panelite manufactures and sells aftermarket stainless steel accessories and LED lighting products for Class 8 commercial trucks. Its catalog includes bug deflectors, sunvisors, cab panels, sleeper panels, hood panels, fender guards, air cleaner lite boxes, fuel tank strap covers, lite bars, and wire harnesses, organized under the Elite (304 stainless) and Select (430 stainless) sub-brands and offered for CAT, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo, and Western Star trucks.
Is Panelite a public or private company?
Panelite is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Panelite founded?
Panelite was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Panelite based?
Panelite is headquartered in Cambridge, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Panelite make money?
One revenue line is on record: truck Accessories Sales.
Does Panelite have an API?
No public API is recorded for Panelite.
What industry is Panelite in?
Panelite's product category is Commercial Truck Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAI, Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates), with a secondary code of IMACANAG, Aftermarket Lighting & Visibility Products Manufacturing (Bulbs/LED Kits/Headlamps/Mirrors/Cameras). Its NAICS code is 33632 and its SIC code is 3713.