ANTHONY MAGLICA AND MAG INSTRUMENT – AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY
Prior to the introduction of the Maglite® flashlight in 1979, the flashlight was generally regarded as an unreliable item that was typically thrown away after a short time due to its inferior quality. That all changed when, after spending years perfecting the design and applying his unique patented technology, Anthony Maglica revolutionized the portable lighting industry. By combining superior design with reliability and quality, Anthony Maglica has truly produced flashlights that are “works of art that work!”
Born in New York City and raised in Europe where he received his training, Mr. Maglica returned to the United States in 1950 in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the American free enterprise system. Due to his well-honed skills as an experimental machinist coupled with his unyielding perseverance, Mag Instrument grew rapidly from its modest beginnings in a Los Angeles garage in 1955. Mr. Maglica provided the initial capital for his dream with a personal investment of $125.
The small “job shop” initially supplied machine tools to industry, soon earning an excellent reputation as a manufacturer of sophisticated industrial, aerospace, and military machine parts. Mr. Maglica’s unique talent for blending innovative manufacturing techniques with quality and efficiency were unsurpassed at the time and continue to this day.
Mr. Maglica (Tony) utilizes a hands-on leadership style with a core philosophy – consistent and superior quality of all Mag products coupled with outstanding customer service, never to be surpassed by competitors.
In the typical American tradition, Mr. Maglica saw an opportunity for carving a product niche for a superior flashlight in the 1970’s. He had seen, and in fact had used, many of the products available at the time and was confident he could do better. In 1979, the new Maglite® flashlight initially was targeted to professionals such as police officers and firefighters, whose lives depended on the reliability of their flashlights. Soon, these “heroes” began to insist on Maglite® flashlights. Consumers, too, found that for auto, home and sporting use, they were willing to rely on no other.
Tony was not content to rest upon the success of the Maglite® flashlight. In 1982, soon after relocating himself, and about 80 employees, to a new 126,000 square foot facility in Ontario, he introduced the Mag Charger™ Rechargeable Flashlight System, the most powerful rechargeable flashlight of its size on the market. In 1984, a small premium flashlight, the Mini Maglite® AA flashlight was introduced. It was an overnight success. Its distinctive aesthetic appeal and unsurpassed functionality were unheard of in the portable lighting industry. In 1987, a smaller version of the Mini Maglite® was introduced (a AAA cell version) that was well-suited to many industrial and medical applications. With a sharp eye focused on the marketplace, Mr. Maglica introduced the Solitaire® flashlight in 1988. Ideal for key chains and purses because of its compact size, it included the same distinctive design and superior quality of all Mag® products. It too, was a hit from the start.
The well rounded line of Mag® products has branched out from its early distribution patterns and is sold in virtually every class of trade in the marketplace today. Tony has not forgotten the dedicated and loyal police officers and firefighters who contributed to Mag’s early success by “spreading the word” about the Maglite® flashlight. Mag was a major corporate sponsor of the dedication of the fallen police officers memorial in Washington, DC. In addition, during Operation Desert Storm, our troops were equipped with the world’s most advanced military hardware and technology. Many of the troops also used Maglite® products as evidenced by hundreds of touching and emotional letters received from the troops on how their Maglite® flashlights assisted in their duties.
Despite the lures of cheap labor and lax environmental standards, Mr. Maglica has steadfastly refused to send his company’s manufacturing overseas. Mag Instrument is proud that its flashlights are not only engineered in America but are shipped worldwide by American workers from its American manufacturing and distribution facility.
Within its first decade on the market, Maglite® products have been touted by both Fortune and Money magazines as among the top 100 products that “America makes best.” In addition, the product was recognized in American Style: Classic Product Designs from Air Stream to Zippo. The Maglite® and Mini Maglite® products have also been honored by the Japan Institute of Design and Museum for Applied Art Cologne.
Mr. Maglica remains committed to product innovation and refinement, as reflected by his development of sophisticated underwater lighting instruments for use by Jacques Cousteau. To this day, all product research and development is personally executed by Tony. A number of products are in various stages of development and will only be introduced when Mr. Maglica is personally satisfied with the design and all features of these new products.
Today, Mag Instrument’s renowned products are sold throughout the world, including Europe, Asia and South America. Japan and Germany, both well known for their emphasis on design and quality, have warmly embraced Mag’s products. Exports have grown significantly in recent years and now comprise about 25% of total sales. Maglite® products are proof that the world is craving American-made goods and services, provided they include distinctive designs and are precision crafted with uncompromising quality in mind.
The company has continued its spectacular success and currently occupies over 500,000 square feet and employs over 800 persons.
