Company History
Company History
STARTED IN THE GARAGE (2006-2013)
Paul McCain started Diode Dynamics in 2006. Like many automotive enthusiasts, it started for him at the age of 16, when he tore apart a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon to build a custom turbocharger.
Around that time, LEDs were just gaining traction. He always had a huge interest in technology, so the next upgrade was LED accent lighting, built from the parts bins at RadioShack. He sold a few kits to some friends and then started adding more lights to the catalog. In 2012, it was time to get serious, with the company's first full-time location in St. Louis, Missouri. We found success through our innovative product lineup, simple installation videos, and customer service policies that placed convenience first. We kept growing, adding many great products and employees!
However, as Diode grew, we recognized the opportunity to improve our product quality. We had started importing LEDs, and relying on designs from overseas, like most sellers still do today. It's a lot easier to buy it (and rebrand it) than to build it! But if you want the best quality and function possible, you have to build it yourself. As we learned more about the products and how they were made, we decided we could do it better.
MANUFACTURING (2014-2020)
In 2014, we moved to a bigger facility and hired our first engineers, allowing us to design and manufacture products in America, fully within our control. Starting with just one product, we quickly expanded - first with simple LED circuit boards, then to sidemarker lamps, and finally to combination lamps and off-road lighting.
We had some bumps along the way, but we kept pushing forward, making heavy investments to add unique capabilities that would allow us to produce the best lighting products possible. That includes a light tunnel to measure beam patterns, environmental test equipment to make sure our products last, and the latest optical and electrical design software to create lighting that truly performs better.
DOUBLING DOWN (2021-Present)
After continued growth, we once again needed more space. As other companies were outsourcing production, we knew it was crucial to our success. And as a privately-held company, we are able to make decisions that are focused on the long term, rather than immediate profit. We decided to continue investing in America.
In 2021, we moved into a brand-new, purpose-built manufacturing and engineering facility. With 70,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse, office space, this building houses an energetic group of over 90 people, who work hard to make quality lighting with the best service possible.
As other major brands continued to shift production out of the country, we take pride in our quality products, our customer-focused service, and going "against the grain" to keep manufacturing products here in the USA.
Want to see more? Check out our Factory Tour!
FORM LIGHTING LAUNCH (2022-Present)
In 2022, we expanded with the launch of FORM Lighting, a brand focused on offering full-LED assemblies for a wide range of vehicles. By leveraging the engineering expertise and 70,000 square foot warehouse of Diode Dynamics, FORM quickly established itself with reliable, plug-and-play products. From LED headlights to tail lights and accent lights, these solutions come with all the bells and whistles, delivering a blend of modern style at a great price.
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