Prestolite Electric

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Prestolite Electric Inc.
Type Private
Industry Heavy Duty (automotive)
Founded 1911
Headquarters Plymouth, Michigan, United States
Number of locations 8
Key people Joseph Lefave
(CEO)
Products Alternators
Starter Motors
Regulators
Owner(s) First Atlantic Capital
Divisions North America
South America
Asia Pacific
Europe
Website www.prestolite.com

Prestolite Electric Incorporated is a global manufacturer and supplier of alternators, starters, electrical equipment, and services to the transportation, industrial, military, marine, agricultural and construction industries. The company sells its products to United States defense agencies, OEMs, and aftermarket suppliers under the Indiel, Leece-Neville, and Prestolite Electric brand names. The company operates production and engineering facilities in the United States, UK, Argentina, Mexico, and China. Prestolite Electric is privately owned by First Atlantic Capital.[1]

History

1911Electric Autolite was founded. The company produced a generator to power early day auto lamps. Original equipment customers: Studebaker, Packard, and Indiana Buggy Works.[2]
1927Electric Autolite acquires Prest-O-Lite Battery Company from The Union Carbide Corporation which produced automotive batteries. Electric Autolite's products were expanded to include: Starting Motors, Generators, Regulators, Ignition Systems, Wire and Cable Products, and Spark Plugs.
1961The name "Autolite" is sold.
1963Electric Autolite Company merges with the Merganthaler Linotype Company and the Eltra Corporation was formed. Former Autolite phase of company becomes the Prestolite Motor and Ignition Company.
1980Eltra Corporation is acquired by the Allied Signal Corporation.
1986Prestolite Motor and Ignition is purchased by investors, forming Prestolite Electric, Inc.
1987July: Prestolite acquires the Leece-Neville division of Sheller-Globe Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio. The Toledo, Ohio operations become part of the alternator products division.
1987July: Prestolite acquires Beech Electric Corporation and Beech Electric California, Inc. (Formed Megatron Machinery, Division of Prestolite Remanufacturing).
1987August: Prestolite acquires RCP Machinery Manufacturing, Inc. and Megatron Industries.
1987November: Prestolite acquires Butec Limited in Leyland, England (Manufacturer of heavy duty alternators and starting motors).
1988January 29th: Prestolite acquires Arcade, New York, facility and automotive operations of Motorola primarily consisting of electrical instruments and alternators.
1990-1994Cleveland, Ohio and Gainesville, Georgia plants of Leece-Neville are merged, and operations are moved to the Arcade, New York facility.
1994-1997Prestolite Acquires Lucas Electric in UK, Argentina, and South Africa.
1999Prestolite purchases Robert's Remanufacturing in Garfield, New Jersey.
2001March: Prestolite Electric (Beijing) Limited “PEBL” was established.
2004May: First Atlantic Capital acquires Prestolite from Genstar Capital Corporation.
2008October: Prestolite sells remanufacturing operations back to Robert's Remanufacturing.

The Prestolite name

The following companies have been spun off under the Prestolite name and are no longer controlled by Prestolite Electric:[3]

  • Prestolite (spark plugs) "Autolite" name sold in 1961.
  • Prestolite Welding Equipment, formally Hobart Brothers of Troy, Ohio.
  • Prestolite Wire, division was sold in 1985.
  • Prestolite Battery (sold to Exide technology in Tudor, India) in 1997.[4]

The following Prestolite divisions were sold to Ametek in 2000:[5]

  • Prestolite Motors (specialty direct current motors).
  • Prestolite Switch (instruments, switches & contactors).
  • Prestolite Power (power systems & battery chargers).

References

  1. "Prestolite Electric Inc. Plymouth, MI United States". hoovers. Retrieved 2011-05-03. 
  2. "Detailed History". Prestolite Electric Inc. Retrieved 2011-05-03. 
  3. "Knowledge Base Search, Frequently Asked Questions". Prestolite Electric Inc. Retrieved 2011-05-03. 
  4. "Prestolite Meet for Upgradation - Battery Industry". articledirectoryproject.com. Retrieved 2011-05-03. 
  5. "Path:Search Results for "Prestolite"". ametek. Retrieved 2011-05-03. 
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