Optronics acquired the rights to the custom truck accessories and the Panelite Millennium Series lighting brand, patents and tooling earlier this year. Though Dieter's now has full rights to the truck accessories, Optronics remains the exclusive owner and manufacturer of the Millennium Series brand and product line.

"Our core competency at Optronics is lighting, not truck accessories," said Brett Johnson, president/CEO of Optronics International.  "We are confident in our decision to turn that side of the business over to a qualified manufacturer with the expertise to strengthen and grow the brand and product line."

Dieter's has been in business for 34 years and will take over the manufacturing, sale and distribution of the Panelite truck accessories. The company has an extensive distribution network, making its product line available through all major truck OEM dealer networks.

"This will answer the questions we have been fielding about the future of the Panelite custom truck accessories," said Randy Varner, Optronics national sales manager, Heavy Duty. "Like Optronics, Dieter's supports its customers and products with outstanding customer service, so we're leaving those customers in good hands."

"Customers will also be pleased to know that Panelite custom truck accessories will continue to incorporate Millennium Series lighting, which has been the case for many years," Johnson said. "We look forward to continuing the longtime partnership that has been established between the two brands."

"Panelite was well known for their top quality product, which we don't intend to change," comments Dieter Hohendorn, president and owner of Dieter's. "Customers will not see any difference in the product quality going forward, as we have the ability and resources to manufacture to the same standard as they are accustomed to." 

"Our company and Optronics have a history of complementary product lines - they're the lighting experts, we're in the accessories business - so we both know each other and we're both working to our respective strengths. This is a positive move for the trucking industry."

For more information about Optronics International and its extensive line of OEM and aftermarket vehicular lighting products, including the Panelite Millennium Series, visit OptronicsInc.com.

###

About Optronics International
Founded in 1972, Optronics International is a premier worldwide manufacturer and supplier of branded and OEM recreational, industrial and vehicular safety lighting products and accessories. The company specializes in interior and exterior LED, incandescent and fluorescent lighting for the marine, RV, trailer, HD and transit vehicle markets.  Among Optronics many well-known brands are Optronics®, Miro-Flex™, HyperX®, FLEET Count™,  Burners® and Millennium Series™.

Optronics is a privately held corporation with manufacturing (ISO/TS-16949) based in Muskogee, Okla., Elkhart, Ind., and offshore. Distribution warehouses are located in Muskogee, Okla., Elkhart, Ind., and Ontario, Canada. Photometric and mechanical testing is conducted at points of manufacture and distribution to ensure quality consistency and FMVSS 108 compliance of the company's safety lighting products. Corporate headquarters is in Tulsa, Okla.

About Dieter's Accessories

Established in 1976, Dieter's has been fabricating the highest quality class 8 stainless steel accessories for over 34 years. Being a major supplier to the OEM and Aftermarket for various models, Dieter's specializes in exterior stainless steel accessories and lighted panels. As an OEM supplier to Daimler Trucks North America - Freightliner and Western Star, Navistar - International and Mack Trucks Inc. and an aftermarket supplier to Daimler Trucks North America - Freightliner and Western Star, PACCAR Parts - Kenworth and Peterbilt, Volvo Trucks Inc, Mack Trucks Inc and Navistar - International, Dieter's has a leading name in the industry.

Located in Waterloo, Ontario Canada, Dieter's is in the center of one of the largest automotive hubs in North America. With a vast pool of resources to draw from, as well as state of the art manufacturing equipment and a highly skilled workforce, Dieter's is at the forefront of the Heavy Truck Accessory business. Dieter's prides itself in its TS/ISO16949 quality standard for manufacturing, as well as its recent achievement of the ISO14001 Environmental standard. For more information on Dieter's, visit www.dietersaccessories.com.