Leviton
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical wiring devices |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Founder | Evser Leviton, Isidor Leviton |
| Headquarters | Melville, Long Island , United States |
Area served | North America, worldwide |
Key people | Donald Hendler (CEO), Stephen Sokolow (Chairman) |
| Products | Electrical outlets, light switches, GFCI, USB charging solutions, network infrastructure components, lighting control systems, load centers, circuit breakers, electric vehicle charging stations, utility submetering equipment |
Number of employees | 6500 (2017) |
| Website | www |
Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. stands as a prominent North American producer specializing in electrical wiring products. Its range includes electrical outlets, light switches, GFCI, USB charging solutions, network infrastructure components, lighting control systems, load centers, circuit breakers, electric vehicle charging stations, and utility submetering equipment.
History
Established in 1906 by Russian immigrant brothers Evser and Isidor Leviton, the enterprise initially focused on crafting brass mantle tips for gas lighting in Manhattan. By 1910, Isidor invented a screw-in lampholder designed for electric bulbs, which became a common fixture in Manhattan residences within ten years.
The company shifted its headquarters to Williamsburg in 1916 before relocating to Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 1922. Throughout the 1920s, Leviton expanded into manufacturing wall outlets and switches, further enhancing production capacity with a new Greenpoint facility by 1936. In 1937, it acquired American Insulated Wire, a wire and cable manufacturer it operated until divesting to Southwire in 2010.
Leviton contributed essential materials during World War II and the subsequent postwar expansion period. By the 1960s, it had established manufacturing plants in North Carolina and Rhode Island. Leadership changed hands in 1965 when Harold Leviton assumed roles as CEO and president, while Jack Amsterdam became chairman. Harold notably played a role in hiring Portuguese immigrants displaced by the Azores volcanic eruption during the late 1950s.
The headquarters moved to Little Neck, Queens in 1973 and later transitioned to Melville, Long Island in 2009. Following Harold Leviton's passing in 2007, Donald Hendler took over as CEO and Stephen Sokolow as chairman. That same year, Leviton faced a patent infringement suit initiated by Lutron.
Throughout the 2010s, the company strategically enhanced its offerings and market presence through acquisitions such as Home Automation, Inc. (2012), Brand-Rex cable manufacturer (2015), sustainable lighting firm ConTech Lighting (2016), and Birchwood Lighting based in Southern California (2017). By 2017, Leviton had become the leading U.S. manufacturer of electrical wiring devices with revenues reaching $1.5 billion and employing approximately 6,500 individuals worldwide.
In July 2020, Leviton purchased Berk-Tek, a producer of copper and fiber cables, from Nexans for $202 million. In February 2023, it introduced new Level 2 EV charging stations offering outputs of 32, 48, and 50 Amps.
Leviton's operational approach prioritizes innovation within electrical device manufacturing and infrastructure solutions to sustain its competitive positioning internationally. Its management continues to foster growth through deliberate acquisitions and expanding product lines that align with shifting industry trends.
Key competitors
- Eaton Corporation (Cooper Wiring Devices)
- Hubbell Incorporated
- Legrand (Pass & Seymour)
- Lutron Electronics Company