Off-road vehicle light company expanding in Northern Arizona.
“This is the type of company we want to attract to our city,” said Fitchett. “Businesses with high quality products that have low-impact [environmentally friendly] jobs fit nicely into our manufacturing targeting sector.”
As an internationally known and respected business, KC HiLiTES began its humble beginnings in Saugus, California. Founder Peter “Kim” Brown discovered the need for off-road lighting during a camping trip in Parker in the early ‘60s. After almost missing a turn in his off-road vehicle, Brown decided he needed brighter lights, which didn’t exist at the time. He found aircraft landing bulbs, put them in housings, attached them on his truck and, voila, a star by the name of KC HiLiTES was born.
Of course, friends liked the idea and also wanted some lights for their vehicles, so as demand grew, Brown decided to turn his garage into a factory and recruited local stay-at-home moms to work with him while their kids were in school. He also convinced his friends, Bob and Carol DeLander, to help with the business. At the time, they were living in Saugus, California.
Today, the age-old KC branding of the iconic yellow and black smiley face can be seen on off-road vehicles, trucks, snowblowers, construction machinery and military vehicles around the world. KC HiLiTES also caught the attention of professional off-road racers and appear at competitive events.
Early on, Brown developed a partnership with Mike Wang, a supplier from California. The two became good friends and both had sons in the business. Brown’s stepson, Michael DeHaas, started working in the warehouse, eventually stepped into sales, and in 2004, purchased KC HiLites as the next CEO. Wang’s son, Alan, became an investor and partner to KC HiLites and purchased the company from DeHaas in 2015. He is now president and CEO of the company.
“During that time, we started seeing headwinds across the business,” said Alan. “Together, Michael and our family saw an opportunity to leverage our long-standing supply chain relationship to create a run for growth in the years to come.”
Today, KC HiLiTES continues as a family-owned business.
“It has been great seeing the KC history embraced by keeping the company in Arizona, specifically, Flagstaff,” said DeHaas. “They have developed many new products to bolster the KC product offering and really have done a great job in their business expansion efforts. KC HiLiTES is in great hands with a bright future!”
Flagstaff resident Ron Pryczynski has worked for KC for 20 years. “I started in the summer of 1999 and worked with Pete and Michael as sales and events coordinator. I moved into product development and when Alan took over, I moved into the general manager position,” he said. “With the new management, it’s definitely a new company, as it has evolved a lot. It’s more technology focused with the new LEDs and cutting-edge lighting systems. It’s a cool adventure.”
“We are deeply passionate about our products and even more passionate about using them,” said Alan. “At the heart of everything we do lies an authentic desire to connect with ourselves and each other through adventure.”
“Our plan is to move the entire business to Flagstaff. Nothing will be left behind,” said Alan. “The Williams property is a huge part of our legacy that got us here and we do plan to leverage it in the future, but no final plans have been set.”
Built in 1997, the 23,700-square-foot facility is located off Old Route 66 and was the former home of the Arizona Daily Sun. Pryczynski says they will be hiring retail, production, warehouse, marketing and other various positions.
Using High Intensity Discharge (HID), Light Emitting Diode (LED), and Halogen, KC manufactures off-road lights, light bars, rock lights and adventure products for just about any off-road vehicle and or work vehicles such as snowplows and snowcats.
“Our lights are also used for camping and other recreational uses,” said KC HiLites Brand Marketing Manager and Team Lead Taylor Ulrich. “Our auxiliary lights and fog lights light up the path for those headed to the trailhead to hike, bike or camp.
The recent release of their FLEX ERA 1light is the smallest and most versatile light for off-road vehicles. “This is our new generation of lighting and accessories,” said Ulrich.
Supporting the community is also important to KC HiLiTes.
“KC has been an integral partner of ours and we wouldn’t be where we are without their support,” said Jeff Lehman, who, with his wife, Beth, founded Dirty Hands, Happy Heart, a local non-profit organization that teaches kids skills such as gardening, welding and changing tires.
“They have donated an array of lights, graciously opened their facility for a tour and allowed the kids in our program to build a light bar. They have introduced us to important supporters in the off-road industry and have even allowed us to join them as participants in a car show,” said
Lehman.
“The KC team is amazing and we’re so thankful for the opportunity to partner with them.” QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
KC HiLiTes proposed move-in date is Oct. 15. For more information, visit www.kchilites.com or call 888-689-5955.
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: General Manager Ron Pryczynski and Brand Marketing Manager Team Lead Taylor Ulrich are looking forward to a bright new chapter for KC HiLiTes.
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