What Multi Electric does

Multi Electric Manufacturing Inc. is a U.S.-based, privately held manufacturer of airfield ground lighting (AGL) equipment founded in 1917 in Chicago and currently headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, near O'Hare Airport. Since entering airport lighting in the early 1950s, the company has become a long-standing supplier to U.S. air-carrier and general-aviation airports as well as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and the FAA. Multi Electric operates as the U.S. arm of the Italian-headquartered OCEM Airfield Technology Group, itself part of the broader Cocchi Technologies industrial group (14 companies, 800+ employees, manufacturing in seven countries, commercial centers in 12+ countries, sales in 100+ countries); the entity was acquired by OCEM in April 2001 and rebranded as Multi Electric – OCEM Airfield in September 2018.

The company's product portfolio centers on LED-based airfield lighting and associated power and control systems. Core offerings include the LERE LED Elevated Runway Edge and Threshold/End Light and the LEMIRL LED Elevated Medium Intensity Runway Light, both featuring IP67/IP68 protection, long-life operation (up to 100,000 hours), and plug-and-play retrofit compatibility with existing bases. The portfolio extends to approach lighting systems (MALS, MALSR, MALSF, ALSF, SSALR), runway and apron lighting, taxiway lighting, inset centerline luminaries, guard lights, heliport lighting, and a power and control line that includes Constant Current Regulators and IGBT-based power solutions. Specialty work includes the SSALR approach lighting system built for the U.S. Navy's McMurdo Bay/South Pole ice runway, engineered for extreme polar conditions. Products are FAA-certified and ICAO-compliant.

Multi Electric generates revenue primarily through project-based capital equipment sales to airport operators and federal/military agencies, complemented by an aftermarket motion: a subscription-based 24/7 emergency replacement service with next-day FedEx delivery, customized AGL training programs, and an LED Savings Calculator used to support mid-funnel customer engagement. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with U.S. regional coverage and global reach delivered through the OCEM/Cocchi Technologies network. References listed on the company site span more than 280 airports across the U.S., Canada, and the Cayman Islands, plus installations referenced in Thailand, Mexico, and Greenland. Revenue figures, headcount for the stand-alone entity beyond a stated 11–50 range, and pricing are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Multi Electric

Legal name

Multi Electric Manufacturing Inc.

Website

https://multielectric.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Multi Electric is a U.S. manufacturer of airfield ground lighting (LED runway lights, approach lighting systems, and constant current regulators) serving air-carrier airports, general aviation, and U.S. military customers. Founded in 1917 and acquired by Italy's OCEM Group in 2001, it now operates under Cocchi Technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airfield Ground Lighting Equipment

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Area Lighting (Street, Roadway, Parking, Flood, Sports/Architectural exterior) (IMAGAIAB)

Keywords

• Airfield ground lighting
• Runway lighting systems
• LED aviation lights
• Approach lighting systems
• Airport lighting equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Airfield Lighting Equipment Sales: Multi Electric generates revenue primarily through the sale of airfield lighting equipment including LED runway lights, inset lights, approach lighting systems, constant current regulators, and accessories. Products are sold to airport operators, military bases, and federal agencies as capital equipment purchases.
2. After-Sales Service & Support: 24/7 replacement service offering next day delivery of replacement lights for subscribed customers. Service response for urgent inquiries within 24 working hours.
3. Training Services: AGL training courses customized for customers and partners, covering regulations, installation & maintenance, and AGL portfolio. Training offered near main airports or on-site at customer locations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Multi Electric manufactures and sells FAA-certified, ICAO-compliant Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) equipment for civil and military aviation, including LED elevated runway edge lights (LERE), LED medium intensity runway lights (LEMIRL), approach lighting systems (MALS, MALSR, MALSF, ALSF, SSALR), taxiway, runway & apron, and heliport lighting fixtures, plus Constant Current Regulators (CCR) and IGBT power/control systems. The company serves air carrier airports, general aviation airports, the FAA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy with Made-in-USA manufacturing from its Franklin Park, IL facility.

Product overview

Multi Electric is a world-class manufacturer of airfield and shipboard lighting equipment with a comprehensive portfolio centered on airfield ground lighting (AGL) solutions. The core product line includes LED elevated runway edge lights (LERE), LED medium intensity runway lights (LEMIRL), and a full range of approach lighting systems (MALS, MALSR, MALSF, ALSF, SSALR). Supporting products include runway and apron lighting, taxiway lighting, heliport lighting, inset centerline luminaries, and guard lights. The company also offers Power & Control Systems including Constant Current Regulators (CCR) and advanced IGBT Power Solutions. Products are complemented by accessories such as the LED Arctic Kit and interchangeable spare parts. Multi Electric operates as part of the Cocchi Technologies group under OCEM Airfield Technology, serving air carrier airports, general aviation, and military customers in the US and worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LERE: LED Elevated Runway Edge and Threshold/End Light - described as the reference when selecting LED Elevated Runway Edge lights, installed at airports worldwide including Thailand, US, Mexico, and Greenland.
• LEMIRL

Products and services

• LERE - LED Elevated Runway Edge and Threshold/End Light World-reference LED elevated runway edge and threshold/end light for air carrier and general aviation airports, providing 360° circular guidance, IP67 protection, LED operation up to 100,000 hours, easy spare parts management with common mechanics across configurations, and simple replacement of domes and LEDs.
• LEMIRL - LED Elevated Medium Intensity Runway Light Latest-generation LED medium intensity runway light for runway edge, threshold, and stop applications at air carrier and general aviation airports, featuring IP68 protection, plug-and-play installation on existing bases, operation from -55°C to +55°C, automatic detection of connected LED boards, and near-maintenance-free design with common mechanical, driver and firmware components.
• Approach Lighting Systems (MALS, MALSR, MALSF, ALSF, SSALR) Complete range of FAA-compliant approach lighting systems including Medium Approach Lighting System (MALS), MALSR, MALSF, ALSF, and SSALR (Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights) for precision approach guidance at civil and military airports.
• Taxiway Lighting Systems LED taxiway lighting fixtures providing guided aircraft ground movement between runways and aprons at commercial and general aviation airports.
• Power & Control Systems (CCR and IGBT) Airfield lighting power and control systems encompassing Constant Current Regulators (CCR) and advanced IGBT-based power solutions (5–20 kHz control and switching frequency) that supply constant current to airfield lighting circuits and deliver improved power factor and energy efficiency compared with traditional thyristor regulators.
• Heliport Lighting Systems Specialized lighting fixtures for heliport and helipad operations, including perimeter lighting, touchdown/positioning lights, and approach lighting for hospitals, offshore platforms and urban helicopter facilities.
• Airfield Lighting Accessories and Spare Parts Supporting equipment and interchangeable spare parts for airfield lighting systems, including domes, LED boards, drivers, firmware components, LED Arctic Kits for extreme cold operations, and other components compatible across multiple Multi Electric product lines.
• 24/7 Emergency Replacement Service Subscription-based 24/7 after-sales replacement service for airfield lighting customers, guaranteeing next-day delivery via FedEx for orders placed before 10 a.m. and providing urgent-inquiry response within 24 working hours.
• AGL Training Programs Customized Airfield Ground Lighting training courses covering regulations, installation, maintenance and the Multi Electric AGL portfolio, delivered near major airports or on-site at customer locations for airport operators, channel partners and military customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• LED lights operate up to 100,000 hours, significantly reducing replacement frequency compared to halogen
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

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 minor.

• Cocchi Technologies (formerly Aretè Cocchi Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026The Aretè Cocchi Technology Group officially adopted the new name Cocchi Technologies in February 2026. Cocchi Technologies is an industrial group devoted to innovation, technology and growth, established in the 90s by Gino Cocchi. Multi Electric now falls under the umbrella of Energy Technology, a larger industry leading organization within Cocchi Technologies.
• OCEM GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2001Multi Electric became part of OCEM Group in April 2001. OCEM Group is headquartered in Bologna, Italy. Multi Electric rebranded as Multi Electric - OCEM Airfield in September 2018 reflecting closer relationship with parent company and renewed R&D investments. The group combines American and European knowledge and engineering experience.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreOthersMulti Electric works with the FAA as a certified manufacturer. Products are FAA certified. The company has been a major supplier of Approach Lighting Systems (MALS, MALSR, MALSF, ALSF) for over 5 decades.
• U.S. Air ForcecoreOthersLong-standing customer for airfield lighting equipment including Emergency Airfield Lighting Systems (EALS). Multiple military installations have Multi Electric equipment including McChord Air Force Base.
• U.S. NavycoreOthersLong-standing customer for airfield and shipboard lighting. Major project completed for US Navy in 2002 for Antarctica ice runway approach systems.
• Lockheed MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti Electric worked with Lockheed Martin to develop concept, deployment, logistics, training, and equipment requirements for the Antarctica Approach Lighting System project for the US Navy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Universal Lighting Technologies: Universal Lighting Technologies supplies LED drivers, ballasts, and power electronics components used in commercial and industrial lighting including airfield applications. It is an enabling supplier to the broader AGL ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• ATG Airports: ATG Airports (formerly a Siemens airport lighting business) manufactures and supplies airfield lighting including runway, taxiway, and apron lights, with CCRs. It is a direct competitor in the global AGL market, particularly for major airport and military projects.
• ADB Safegate: ADB Safegate is the leading global supplier of airfield ground lighting, air traffic control systems, and airport performance solutions. It directly competes with Multi Electric across the full AGL portfolio including LED runway, taxiway, and approach lighting, serving the same FAA, ICAO, and military customer base.
• OCEM: OCEM is the Bologna, Italy-based sister company within Cocchi Technologies that designs and manufactures airfield lighting. It is directly comparable as it sits in the same parent group, with overlapping product portfolios in LED runway, approach, and CCR technology — sometimes competing for the same global contracts.
• TKH Airport Solutions: TKH Airport Solutions (part of TKH Group) designs and manufactures airfield lighting systems, including LED runway, taxiway, and approach lighting, as well as CCRs. It is a direct competitor in CCRs, LED fixtures, and complete AGL systems globally.

Emerging players

• Carmanah Technologies: Carmanah supplies solar-powered and LED-based airfield lighting systems, particularly for general aviation, military, and remote runways. It overlaps with Multi Electric in LED runway/taxiway lighting, especially for smaller and challenging deployment sites.

Regional players

• Youyang Airport Lighting Equipment: Youyang is a Korean-based manufacturer of airfield lighting products including LED runway, taxiway, and approach lighting. It is regionally focused on Asia-Pacific with growing global reach, competing on price for international AGL tenders.
• Airsafe Airport Equipment: Airsafe is a China-based airfield lighting manufacturer offering LED runway, taxiway, and approach lighting systems. It serves primarily Asia and emerging markets and competes with Multi Electric on price-led international bids.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace is a large incumbent in aviation equipment including lighting and avionics. While not a pure-play AGL specialist, its scale, FAA relationships, and broader aviation portfolio make it a competitor on integrated airport and military lighting contracts.
• Eaton: Eaton (including the legacy Cooper Lighting and Crouse-Hinds aviation businesses) provides airfield lighting solutions alongside its broader electrical and industrial portfolio. It competes for runway and taxiway lighting, CCRs, and FAA-spec projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Multi Electric