• Self-Powered
  • Self-Powered
  • Metal
  • Metal
  • Touch 'N Lite
  • Touch 'N Lite
  • Rubber
  • Rubber
  • Everyday
  • Everyday
  • Disposables
  • Disposables
  • Spotlights
  • Spotlights
  • Rechargeables
  • Rechargeables
  • Lanterns
  • Lanterns
  • Headlamps
  • Headlamps

History

Time Line to Leadership

Garrity Industries, Inc., headquartered in Madison, CT, was founded in 1967 by Paul G. Garrity, Sr., an entrepreneur who introduced the first disposable cigarette lighter in North America.

1969 - Garrity introduces the first disposable flashlight -- the Life Lite®.  Trusted by firefighters across the U.S.A, Life Lite was also used by the military in the Desert Storm conflict, and was selected as the official flashlight of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.

1981 - Garrity develops and introduces the first rubber encased flashlight and lantern.  This popular rubber Tuff Lite® series has maintained the #1 brand leader position year after year. 

1991 - Garrity collaborates with its manufacturing partners in Asia to expand operations in Indonesia, Thailand, and China to fuel continued Garrity growth.

1992 - A leading consumer research magazine rates two of three Garrity products as "best quality".

1993 - Garrity introduces a series of new advanced rechargeable flashlights and lanterns.  This innovation subsequently becomes the new standard by which other rechargeable lighting will be measured. 

1994 - Garrity merges plastic with rubber and introduces the Rugged Lite Series®  - and a whole new segment of the lighting industry is born.

1996-1997 - A.C. Nielsen reports Garrity Industries now offers the #2 brand in consumer preference.  As we continue to develop and focus on the growth of the overall lighting market, our goal of becoming the undisputed world leader grows closer.

1997 - Garrity Industries selected as the #1 entrepreneurial company in the state of Connecticut.

1998 - Wal*Mart Vendor of the Quarter, Runner-up Vendor of the Year Dept. 9

2000 - Garrity is awarded the "Rite Aid Vendor of the Year" award.

2001-2002 - Paul G. Garrity, Sr. is awarded "Who's Who" by Executive & Professionals.

2002 - 2003 - Garrity Industries introduces first of a growing line of L.E.D. products. 

2004 - Garrity is awarded the "2004 Vendor of the Year" by Do It Best - 3rd Largest Corporation in U.S.A serving 6,000 stores.  Garrity is awarded the "2004 Vendor of the Year" by Barjan - #1 Truck Stop Distributor.

2005 - Garrity introduces the World's First Disposable L.E.D. Life Lite®

2006 - Garrity Industries was acquired by Duracell, a Procter & Gamble Company.