Grote Industries acquires New York company

Madison-based Grote Industries Inc. is growing its portfolio with the acquisition of Star Headlight & Lantern Co. Inc., headquartered in Avon, New York. Grote, which manufactures vehicle lighting, electrical and reflective systems, said the deal will create a new subsidiary, Star Safety Technologies.

Star Headlight & Lantern is a fifth-generation company founded in 1889 and provides lighting products for a variety of markets, including railroad and emergency lighting for law enforcement and other emergency services in the U.S. and Europe.

Grote said under the new Star Safety Technologies banner, the company will continue to support the same markets while benefitting from the Grote’s additional resources.

Dominic Grote, president and CEO of Grote Industries, said the combination of the two companies is a perfect fit.

“Both our companies have been built not only on strong family leadership and commitment to their customers but also on great people and team members that work together in an environment of trust, integrity, responsibility, and respect,” Grote said in a news release. “This addition to the Grote family of businesses…will help us get closer to our customers and grow and scale our capability to innovate and bring safer, smarter products to the markets we serve.”

A spokesperson for Grote told IIB that Star has about 120 employees and more than 90% of the workforce is being retained following the acquisition. Grote has more than 1,600 employees globally.

Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

Grote Industries itself is a fourth-generation company. Last September, family members Dominic, John and Mike Grote acquired 100% ownership of the company, serving as CEO, chief operating officer and general manager, respectively.