Liteline Corporation — As Luck and Ingenuity Would Have It

Liteline Profile

Line Goyette 

The beginnings of a successful company are often the result of a happy confluence of circumstances where intuition, knowledge, economic or social factors and, it must be said, a certain amount of luck all come together.

I have met several members of the Silverstein family on various occasions, and each time I have seen a fire burning in their eyes — a fire of passion and pleasure. Here, work, family and leisure are interrelated, and after meeting president Steve Silverstein I might even add that it could be genetic.

Three children, Daniel, Mark and Sarah, are actively involved in the business their parents founded in 1979, but it’s Mark, VP Sales and Marketing, who tells me the story that brought me to their facility. Steve will join us during the visit, part of which takes place around the old family dining table, around which the family still gathers. But instead of sharing meals, they now share business plans and goals for the future.

Photo: L-R: Liteline’s Steve, Mark, Daniel and Sarah Silverstein

The economic context

One can read on the company website that in the late 1970s there was a need for an aftermarket lens replacement for fluorescent fixtures. Since every fluorescent fixture was built with slightly different dimensions, it was exceptionally challenging for electrical distributors to supply replacement lenses. Steve Silverstein, Liteline’s founder and president, started offering distributors the simple service of small run custom fabrication with quick delivery.

The serendipitous moment

“I started the business out of my van. I like to say that I am an ‘overnight success’ after 40 years. At the time I already knew something about the lighting business and was thinking of becoming an agent, but you need a line to start with. I came across a good line while spending time surfing in southern California, but couldn’t become an agent for them, so they said ‘Buy the company.’

“Driving home from California, I stopped in Chicago, parked in front of the factory, changed my jeans for a tie and bought a vanload of products. I drove to Toronto and sold the whole load to an independent electrical distributor. I then called a freight forwarder and ordered a lot more products.

“At the time my wife and I were living in a 800 sq ft apartment. I had no idea where I would put the products, but I just knew I had to buy them. Life is full of happy surprises: my wife told me that she had just found a warehouse that same morning, so I unpacked the truck myself. Each bag weighed 53 pounds and I had to carry them to the end of the warehouse.’’

Today the company has grown far beyond its humble owner/operator beginnings. Liteline is a vertically integrated manufacturer of residential and commercial lighting fixtures and lamps. The head office is in the GTA, in a new 160,000 sq ft. manufacturing and distribution facility. Since 1982, Liteline has also had a second distribution warehouse in Vancouver, BC. The company has skilled and knowledgeable agents in every province across Canada and the U.S.

The special touch of the second generation

Mark Silverstein tells me the children always recognized while growing up that joining the family business was an option and not an obligation. “We always knew what was happening at the office, but we had our own lives and experiences.”

“With technology changing so rapidly,” says Steve, “it’s nice to have the younger generation involved. We’ve responded to the rise of LEDs by becoming a technology company that develops integrated lighting solutions.”

Find out more about Liteline: www.liteline.com.

{videobox}youtube.com/watch?v=7ujYufFSs5U{/videobox}

Line Goyette is Managing Editor of LDS; linegoyette@kerrwil.com.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…

  • What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    Human centric lighting (HCL) is a kind of illuminated way based on human physical and psychological needs. Its core goal is to imitate the changes in natural light to support the body’s circadian rhythm, improve visual comfort, and enhance mood. The key element of human centric lighting contains dynamic ​color temperature adjustment, adjustable brightness, spectrum… Read More…


New Products

  • LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm is thrilled to introduce Saule, the newest lighting collection from Quebec atelier Larose Guyon, now exclusively available at LightForm. Inspired by the gentle grace of the willow tree, Saule is a sculptural light that feels alive. Cascading hand-formed brass leaves shimmer like foliage in the breeze, suspended from arched metal arms that echo the tree’s elegant… Read More…

  • Transform Outdoor Spaces with Lutron: Control, Elegance, & Performance

    Transform Outdoor Spaces with Lutron: Control, Elegance, & Performance

    Outdoor lighting is about more than just light—it’s an extension of the ambiance, design, and comfort of living spaces. With Lutron’s outdoor modules RR-15OUT-BL (for RadioRA 3 systems) and HQR-15OUT-BL (for HomeWorks QS systems), you can offer your clients powerful tools to transform their outdoor projects—whether gardens, patios, pools, or façades. Read More…