# Mag Instrument Inc (Maglite)

> Mag Instrument is the Ontario, California manufacturer behind the Maglite - the machined-aluminum flashlight that became standard-issue for American police in the 1980s and a fixture in glove boxes, tool belts, and camping packs ever since. Founded by Croatian-raised machinist Anthony Maglica, the company still designs and builds its flashlights in a single Southern California factory, betting a whole business on the unfashionable idea that you can manufacture a durable consumer product in the United States and win.

- **Founded:** 1955
- **Headquarters:** Ontario, California, United States
- **Founders:** Anthony Maglica (Founder, Owner & CEO)
- **Team size:** Roughly several hundred manufacturing employees at the Ontario, California plant (company has cited 800+ American workers at peak); LinkedIn lists a smaller corporate headcount
- **Products:** Maglite (full-size D/C-cell), Mini Maglite AA, Mini Maglite AAA, Solitaire, ML300L LED series
- **Notable:** Wall Street Journal called the Maglite 'the Cadillac of flashlights' (1996), Design recognized by institutions including the Japan Institute of Design and a German applied-art museum, Featured among top American-made products in Fortune and Money magazine roundups

## Products & services

- **Maglite (full-size D/C-cell)** — The original machined-aluminum flashlight introduced for public safety, with adjustable focus and a reputation for toughness.
- **Mini Maglite AA** — Compact 2xAA flashlight with a twist-focus head and candle mode that became one of the brand's best-known products.
- **Mini Maglite AAA** — Smaller 2xAAA version of the Mini Maglite for pocket and keychain carry.
- **Solitaire** — Single AAA-cell keychain flashlight, the smallest in the classic lineup.
- **ML300L LED series** — Full-size LED flashlight family in 2D through 6D configurations, with multi-mode switch, eco mode and long runtimes.
- **MAG-TAC / rechargeable systems** — Tactical and rechargeable LED flashlights aimed at law enforcement, first responders and professional users.

## Achievements

- Wall Street Journal called the Maglite 'the Cadillac of flashlights' (1996)
- Design recognized by institutions including the Japan Institute of Design and a German applied-art museum
- Featured among top American-made products in Fortune and Money magazine roundups
- Won a 1984 trade-dress lawsuit against knockoff importers and required them to buy real Maglites instead of taking cash
- Maintained U.S. manufacturing for 45+ years while most of the industry moved offshore
- Founder Anthony Maglica honored with a regional lifetime achievement award (2003)

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Maglite marked 45 years of U.S. flashlight manufacturing in Ontario, California, drawing national 'American Made' coverage.
- **2025-01** — Continued expansion of the ML300L and MAG-TAC rechargeable LED lines through its direct-to-consumer store.

## Links

- Website: https://maglite.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mag-instrument-inc
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/maglite
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maglite
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maglite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maglite/

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-20