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Leviton

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For other uses, see Leviton (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Levittown.
Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryElectrical equipment
Founded1906; 118 years ago (1906)
FounderIsidor Leviton
Headquarters
Melville, New York
,
USA
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Donald Hendler (Director of the Board, Former CEO)
Daryoush Larizadeh (President & CEO)
Stephen B. Sokolow (Chairman)
ProductsElectrical Devices,
Lighting Controls,
Network Solutions,
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment,
Energy Measurement & Verification,
Security & Automation
Number of employees
6,500 globally
Websitewww.Leviton.com

Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. is an American manufacturer of electrical wiring equipment in North America.[1]

History

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The original Leviton logo, used from 1924 to circa 1968
Leviton level 2 EV charger

Leviton was founded in 1906 by Russian immigrants Evser Leviton and his son Isidor Leviton when they began manufacturing brass mantle tips for natural gas lights in Manhattan's Lower East Side.[2][3][4] In 1910, Isidor designed a screw-in lampholder for the newly invented electric light bulb and within ten years the lampholders were installed in apartment buildings across Manhattan.[2]

In 1916, Leviton moved its headquarters to Williamsburg, Brooklyn,[5] and in 1922 Leviton moved to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.[2]

The company first began manufacturing wall outlets and switches in the 1920s.[3] In 1936, Leviton built a new manufacturing plant in Greenpoint that allowed the company to begin making pull chains.[3] In 1937, Leviton acquired wire and cable manufacturer American Insulated Wire, which it operated until 2010, when Leviton sold American Insulated Wire to Southwire.[6]

During World War II and the postwar economic boom Leviton manufactured materials for the Allies.[3]

In 1963, Leviton opened manufacturing facilities in North Carolina under the name Southern Devices, as well as a manufacturing plant in Rhode Island.[5][3] In 1965, Isidor's son Harold Leviton assumed the roles of CEO and president, and Isidor's son-in-law Jack Amsterdam became chairman.[7][8]

After the eruption of the Azores Capelinhos volcano in 1957 displaced Portuguese citizens, Harold Leviton facilitated jobs for 150 of the affected individuals who immigrated to the United States in the 1960s.[9]

In 1973, Leviton moved its headquarters to Little Neck, Queens.[5]

In 2007, following the death of Harold Leviton, the company named Harold's sons-in-law Donald Hendler and Stephen Sokolow CEO and chairman of the board respectively.[10]

Later in 2007, Leviton was sued by electronics company Lutron over alleged infringement of patents.[11]

In 2009, the company moved its headquarters to Melville, Long Island.[12]

In the 2010s, Leviton made several acquisitions. In 2012, the company acquired electrical device manufacturer Home Automation, Inc.[13] In 2015, Leviton acquired cable manufacturer Brand-Rex.[14] In 2016, Leviton acquired sustainable lighting manufacturer ConTech Lighting for an undisclosed amount.[15] In 2017, Leviton acquired Southern California based company Birchwood Lighting.[16][17]

By 2017, Leviton was considered the largest producer of electrical wiring devices in the United States, employing 6,500 people worldwide with an annual revenue of $1.5 billion.[17]

In July 2020, Leviton acquired copper and fiber cable manufacturer Berk-Tek from Nexans for $202 million.[18]

In February 2023, the company launched its Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations including 32, 48, and 50 Amp level 2 compatibility.[19]

References

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  1. ^ Anonymous. Energy & Power Management. Troy: Jun 2005.Vol.30, Iss. 6; pp. 29–35. ISSN 1556-5467
  2. ^ a b c Cobb, Geoff (June 21, 2016). "A History of Greenpoint in 25 Buildings: The Leviton Building". Greenpointers.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ingols, Cynthia; Mueller, James L. (April 2, 1997). Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.: Universal Design Marketing Strategy, Epilogue. Harvard Business School Publishing. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Winzelberg, David (May 21, 2024). "Leviton getting IDA assist for lease extension and renovations". Long Island Business News. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Oser, Alan S. (January 21, 1976). "Brooklyn Company Deepends Roots In City". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Capkun, Anthony (January 21, 2010). "Southwire acquiring American Insulated Wire assets from Leviton". Electrical Business. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Miller, Stephani (November 28, 2007). "Harold Leviton Passes Torch". Architect Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Jack Amsterdam, 91, Corporate Executive". The New York Times. January 28, 1998. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Portuguese Government Honors Leviton President/CEO | Live Design Online". June 26, 2003. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  10. ^ "Leviton reorganizes after passing of CEO". Cabling Installation & Maintenance. December 1, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Lutron Sues Leviton Over Alleged Infringement Of Patents". Electrical Marketing. March 30, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Duke, Nathan (July 1, 2009). "Electrical giant leaves Little Neck for L.I. – QNS". Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Dalton, Alyssa (2012-08-03). "Leviton acquires Home Automation". Electrical Business. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  14. ^ "Leviton Acquires Cable Manufacturer Brand-Rex". Cabling Installation & Maintenance. December 31, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Ocasio, Victor (December 16, 2016). "Leviton Manufacturing buys sustainable lighting maker". Newsday. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  16. ^ Donoff, Elizabeth (May 8, 2017). "Birchwood Lighting Acquired by Leviton". Architect Magazine. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Roosevelt, Margo (May 4, 2017). "Tustin Lighting firm joins industry giant Leviton – Orange County Register". The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Capkun, Anthony (2020-07-22). "Leviton acquiring Berk-Tek from Nexans in $202 million US deal - Electrical BusinessElectrical Business". Electrical Business. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  19. ^ Sickels, David (February 5, 2023). "Leviton launches new suite of Level 2 EV charging stations". The Buzz. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
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