In 2012, a near-accident on outdoor stairs led Ron Pritchett to develop an innovative solution to a common problem with traditional flashlights. While walking down steps at night near his fruit grove in Mt. Woodson, Pritchett found himself repeatedly sweeping his flashlight from side to side to see the full path. When something caught his attention and he turned to look, the steps went dark, almost causing him to trip. This incident sparked the idea for what would become TripleLite.
Ron and his wife Nancy Pritchett established TripleLite in March 2012 in Ramona, California. The company’s signature product addresses a limitation of conventional flashlights their narrow beam of light. TripleLite’s design features three precisely positioned LED bulbs that create a 180-degree arc of illumination, matching the human field of vision and eliminating the need for back-and-forth sweeping motions.
The development of TripleLite wasn’t Ron’s first venture into product innovation. As a former PGA golf professional who taught at clubs in Georgia and Long Island, he had previously designed and patented two golf putters through his company Ashdon, named after the couple’s children Ashley and Brandon. This experience with patents and prototypes proved valuable when developing TripleLite.
The company has secured five utility patents and one design patent for their 180-degree lighting technology in the United States and internationally. Their product line includes a full-size flashlight, mid-size flashlight, keychain light, and headlamp. The products range from 50 lumens for the keychain model to 1000 lumens for their larger units.
TripleLite has faced its share of challenges. In 2017, sales declined significantly, and the company weathered a lawsuit from an investor group in 2018. However, the Pritchetts regained full control of their company in fall 2018 and have since achieved significant growth. By 2019, they reported $600,000 in sales, later exceeding $1 million in annual revenue.
A significant boost came from QVC, where their initial test run of 5,000 units sold out in seven minutes. This success led to a larger order of 19,500 units in 2020, which required financial assistance from Primary Funding to fulfill. The company has established retail partnerships with Big 5 Sporting Goods and Ace Hardware stores, where they’ve found success becoming the top-selling flashlight brand at Ransom Brothers Ace Hardware in Ramona.
The company has also expanded internationally. Through participation in trade shows supported by the California STEP Grant, TripleLite secured their first export sales to the Philippines and New Zealand through Ace Hardware International. They are currently exploring opportunities in South Korea and have plans to hire additional staff to support their growing operations.
Nancy Pritchett serves as CEO, managing relationships with two manufacturers in Ningbo, China, and overseeing operations through a fulfillment center in Poway that handles packaging and shipping. The company continues to grow through retail, television, and online sales channels, with recent appearances on “Good Morning America” and “Inside Edition” helping to expand their national visibility.