Golight, Inc. Products Assist U.S. War Effort

From a countryside location near Culbertson, Neb., a remote control searchlight company serves customers from throughout the world, including the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The company, Golight, Inc., was born 15 years ago on the Hayes County, Nebraska ranchland of Jerry Gohl. Now that business – which started with one product and one employee – has an array of remote control searchlight and spotlight products which are marketed in all 50 states and more than 70 nations worldwide. Golight employs 30 people at the headquarters near Culbertson, and has an additional 73 sales representatives in cities throughout the United States.

The first Golight searchlights were designed to be mounted on pickup trucks, making it easier for stockmen to check on their cattle. But, soon, Gohl and his designer, Al Gebhardt of Denver, began to realize the vast potential the remote control searchlight had for other markets. Within three years, Golight's business had grown to the point that Gohl purchased a former gymnasium and turned it into the home office of the emerging company. From that point forward, Golight's rapid growth accelerated, expanding into marine, industrial, automotive, fire and rescue, sporting goods, law enforcement and RV markets.

Then came the emergence of a market that has brought Gohl lasting pride and satisfaction. Four years ago, Golight entered the military applications business, developing a focused light instrument for use by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It has been a valuable aid for the troops," Gohl said. "It helps them considerably in their search for IEDs, detonation wires and roadside bombs." Golight has gone forward from there to provide lights for the Mine Resistant All-Terrain Vehicles being developed by Oshkosh. With a contract for more than $1 billion, Oshkosh is on schedule to have 5,244 of the super strong vehicles ready by March of 2010. The Oshkosh vehicles are not only mine resistant, they are also ambush protected.

Golight is also aiding the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan by developing infrared filters which will allow U.S. troops to spot enemy troops and equipment in total darkness. Gohl and his staff have received extensive feedback from troops, thanking them for the lights Golight provides. Typical is a letter from Lt. Col. Anthony Judge, saying that the penetrating beams from Golight helped identify numerous threats, which the U.S. military "was able to reduce ... before they harmed us or the civilian population."

While Golight serves customers throughout the world, Gohl doesn't think there's a better place than southwest Nebraska for his company to be located. "This area is ideal for enterprises such as Golight," he said. "It's halfway between the two coasts and the talent and reliability of the employees in this area is unsurpassed." Gohl is especially pleased to see an increasing desireby young people to return to this area. Another advantage, Gohl says, is that warehouse costs in southwest Nebraska area fraction of what they would be in cities such as Omaha, Kansas City and Denver. But, best of all in Gohl's opinion, is the serene quality of life in rural America. "I can step out on the deck at Golight's office and see pheasant, deer, coyote and raccoon. It's not only a special place to work, it's a special place to live and do business." Gohl welcomes inquiries about Golight and the advantage of southwest Nebraska as a place to do business. Visit Golight online at www.golight.com or reach them via e-mail at info@golight.com.