Media Day 2025 at Peterson Manufacturing
Peterson Manufacturing reached an exciting milestone this October with the launch of its first-ever Media Day—a new initiative designed to bring industry journalists behind the scenes of our operations and innovation. The event offered an inside look at how Peterson’s people, processes, and products continue to shape the future of trailer lighting and harness technology.
Opening Our Doors to the Industry
This October, Peterson Manufacturing welcomed several of the industry’s leading media outlets—Fleet Equipment, Heavy Duty Trucking, Trucking News, and Bulk Transporter—for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes us a trusted name in lighting and harness innovation.
The event, our first-ever Peterson Media Day, brought journalists to our Grandview, Missouri campus for an immersive tour of our vertically integrated operations, in-depth presentations from company leadership, and a special visit to the Armacost Automotive Museum.
Inside the Experience
From our advanced automation and U.S.-based manufacturing to our digital tools and innovative product lines, the day offered an up-close look at how 80 years of experience continue to drive forward-thinking engineering at Peterson.
“Success isn’t about being the biggest manufacturer—it’s about consistency, reliability, and long-term value,” said Al Anderson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our vertical integration and control over every step of production let us deliver that value day after day.”
The Power of Vertical Integration
Media guests explored how Peterson’s end-to-end manufacturing approach—from in-house tooling to precision molding and electronics assembly—helps us achieve unmatched quality control and efficiency.
This hands-on look showed how our vertically integrated process ensures product reliability, supports long-term customer value, and strengthens our ability to innovate quickly.
Innovations That Define Us
Guests also got a closer look at several of Peterson’s most talked-about innovations, including:
- Defender® and PetersonPATRIOT® lighting and harness systems — engineered to virtually eliminate corrosion and electrical failures.
- BladeLights™ Heated LED Snowplow Lights — designed to prevent ice buildup in harsh winter conditions.
- The Repairable J560 Connector, a field-ready solution that reduces waste and replacement costs.
What the Media Had to Say
Coverage from our visiting outlets reflected the same pride and innovation we aim to deliver every day. Want to see how the industry covered Peterson Media Day 2025? Check out the full stories below:
- Fleet Equipment called the tour “a showcase of how 80 years of engineering experience fuels innovation.”
- Trucking News highlighted our “deep vertical integration and manufacturing control” as key to keeping prices stable.”
- Bulk Transporter praised Peterson’s “rich history, vertically integrated capabilities, and new product offerings” as proof of our continued leadership.”
Continuing the Conversation
Peterson Media Day 2025 was more than a tour—it was an opportunity to share our story, showcase our people, and reaffirm our passion for delivering smarter, stronger, and more sustainable solutions for today’s fleets.
Given the success and positive feedback, Peterson plans to make Media Day a recurring initiative, continuing to invite media partners and industry thought leaders to experience firsthand what makes us “a cut above.”
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like more information about the event—or about any of Peterson’s latest product releases—connect with your Peterson representative. We’re always excited to share how our solutions continue to help fleets run smarter, stronger, and more sustainably.
About Peterson Manufacturing Company
Founded in 1945, Peterson Manufacturing Company is a world-leading innovator in the design, engineering and manufacturing of a complete line of commercial vehicle/trailer safety lighting and harness systems. With headquarters in the greater Kansas City area, Peterson is a privately held company. An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Peterson Manufacturing is a key subsidiary of Peterson Corporation, five highly specialized companies and nearly 700 associates working in global transportation-related industries. For more information, visit PMLights.com.
