Pelican Products
American manufacturer of protective cases, portable lighting systems, and temperature-controlled packaging.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Pelican Products is an American manufacturer of protective cases, portable lighting equipment, and temperature-controlled packaging. Founded in Torrance, California, in 1976 by David and Arline Parker, the company began as a mail-order home business serving the diving market. Its early products were designed to address the practical needs of divers and other users who required equipment that could withstand water, impact, dust, and demanding field conditions. Pelican became best known for its molded polymer protective cases. The cases use environmental sealing, impact-resistant construction, and pressure-equalization features to protect cameras, electronics, tools, medical equipment, communications systems, and other sensitive contents. The company's original Protector Case line, introduced in 1978, established the product category that became central to the brand. Pelican later expanded into compact Micro Cases, larger transport cases, lightweight Air Cases, consumer-oriented Vault Cases, vehicle storage products, and custom case solutions. Its acquisition of Hardigg Industries in 2009 added rotationally molded cases and large-scale transport systems to the portfolio. Lighting has remained another important business. Pelican developed dive-oriented lights such as the SabreLite in the early 1980s and subsequently introduced flashlights, safety-approved lighting products, remote-area lighting systems, and industrial and emergency lighting. The Pelican 7060 was developed with the Los Angeles Police Department and launched in 2007, while later products such as the 7000 series targeted professional users requiring high-output handheld lighting. Pelican lighting products are used in environments including law enforcement, firefighting, industrial work, emergency response, and military operations. The company also operates in specialized temperature-controlled packaging. Through acquisitions including Minnesota Thermal Science, Cool Logistics, and NanoCool, Pelican developed a business serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, and life-sciences logistics. This activity was consolidated under the Pelican BioThermal name and complements the company's broader focus on protecting valuable or sensitive goods during transport. Pelican's customers have included government agencies, military organizations, law-enforcement departments, fire and emergency services, industrial companies, professional photographers, broadcasters, outdoor users, and consumers. The company has expanded internationally through subsidiaries and distributors, using the Peli name in Europe. Its products have also been adapted for custom applications, including military tool kits, mobile operations boxes, emergency medical equipment, and specialist transport systems. The company was acquired by Behrman Capital in 2004 and later expanded through acquisitions and international operations. In 2020, Phil Gyori was named president and chief executive officer, while Lyndon J. Faulkner became executive chairman. Platinum Equity completed the acquisition of Pelican in 2021. Pelican remains an active private company whose brand positioning centers on durable, professional-grade protection and dependable equipment for harsh or mobile operating environments.
History
Pelican Products was established in Torrance, California, in 1976 by David and Arline Parker. It started as a mail-order home business focused on practical equipment for the diving market. The founders' early objective was to develop products that could tolerate water exposure and difficult field conditions. In 1978, Pelican introduced the Protector Case, the product family that became the foundation of its identity. These molded polymer cases were designed to be watertight, dust-resistant, and resistant to crushing and impact. During the early 1980s, the company added the SabreLite flashlight for divers and obtained its first safety approvals. These developments helped move Pelican beyond its original niche into professional and industrial applications. During the early 1990s, Pelican brought molding operations in-house and moved its headquarters within Torrance. It also established a subsidiary in Spain to support European business. In the following decade, the company expanded into Canada and obtained European safety approvals for its Peli-branded flashlights. Pelican Japan and Pelican China opened during 2006 and 2007, followed by the creation of Pelican Australia after the company purchased its largest Australian distributor in 2008. India and South Korea operations were added in 2011. Behrman Capital acquired Pelican in October 2004. Lyndon J. Faulkner became chief executive in 2006, during a period of international expansion, manufacturing investment, and product diversification. In 2007, Pelican introduced the 7060 flashlight, developed with the Los Angeles Police Department. The company also expanded its lighting portfolio with the 9430 Remote Area Lighting System and installed large-scale molding and automation equipment at its Torrance facility. Acquisitions became a major part of Pelican's growth strategy. In 2008, the company bought Bluei UK, a portable LED area-lighting manufacturer. In 2009, it acquired Hardigg Industries, adding large rotationally molded transport cases and the Hardigg and Storm product families. The same year, Pelican won a contract to supply General Mechanics Tool Kits for the U.S. military. In 2011, it acquired Australian case manufacturer Trimcast. In 2013, it acquired Minnesota Thermal Science and entered a more specialized temperature-controlled logistics market. Pelican continued broadening its portfolio in the mid-2010s. It created a consumer division, introduced the high-output 7000 flashlight and Pelican Elite luggage, and combined Minnesota Thermal Science with Cool Logistics under the Pelican BioThermal name. The company marked its fortieth anniversary in 2016 and introduced the lighter Pelican Air Case line. It later added consumer products such as Traveler tumblers and the Vault line of more accessible protective cases. In 2020, Pelican acquired NanoCool, another temperature-controlled packaging company. Phil Gyori was named president and chief executive officer, while Faulkner became executive chairman. In 2021, Platinum Equity completed the acquisition of Pelican. The company remains active, serving military, law enforcement, emergency services, industrial, healthcare, life-sciences, entertainment, outdoor, and consumer markets. In Europe, its products are generally sold under the Peli name.
- 2021
Platinum Equity acquisition completed
[1]Platinum Equity completes its acquisition of Pelican Products.
- 2020
NanoCool acquired and leadership changes
[1]Pelican acquires NanoCool and appoints Phil Gyori president and chief executive officer.
- 2016
Pelican Air Cases introduced
[1]The company launches a lighter protective-case range while retaining its emphasis on environmental protection.
- 2013
Pelican enters temperature-controlled logistics
[1]Minnesota Thermal Science is acquired, providing a platform for the later Pelican BioThermal business.
- 2009
Hardigg Industries acquired
[1]The acquisition adds large rotationally molded transport cases and expands Pelican's military and industrial offering.
- 2007
Pelican 7060 launched
[1]The company introduces a police-oriented flashlight developed with the Los Angeles Police Department.
- 2004
Behrman Capital acquires Pelican
[1]Behrman Capital acquires the privately held company.
- 1990
Manufacturing and headquarters expand
[1]The company brings molding operations in-house and moves its headquarters to Torrance.
- 1980
SabreLite enters the dive-lighting market
[1]Pelican introduces the SabreLite and begins receiving safety approvals for its products.
- 1978
Protector Case introduced
[1]Pelican launches its original hard protective-case line, which becomes the central product family of the brand.
Products and positioning
High-durability protective equipment and transport solutions for professional, industrial, government, emergency-response, outdoor, and consumer applications.
Protective cases · 1978
Protector Cases
Protector Cases are Pelican's foundational hard-case family. They use molded polymer construction, a sealing gasket, protective latches, and an automatic pressure-equalization valve. The cases are intended to shield sensitive equipment from water, dust, impact, and crushing forces. Applications include cameras, electronics, tools, communications equipment, medical devices, and government or industrial gear.
Large transport cases
Hardigg Cases
Hardigg Cases are rotationally molded transport solutions associated with the Hardigg Industries business acquired by Pelican in 2009. They are designed for large, heavy, or irregularly shaped equipment and are used in military logistics, industrial transport, and other applications requiring durable reusable containers.
Protective cases
Storm Cases
Storm Cases are rugged polymer cases originally developed by Hardigg. Their press-and-pull latches are designed to allow frequent opening while maintaining protection against demanding environmental conditions. The range serves professional, industrial, technical, and recreational users.
Lightweight protective cases · 2016
Air Cases
Introduced in 2016, Pelican Air Cases use a lightweight resin formulation to reduce case weight compared with conventional hard cases. The line is aimed at users who need durable environmental protection but regularly carry or ship their equipment.
Consumer protective cases · 2018
Vault Cases
Vault Cases are a more accessible range of rugged hard cases intended primarily for recreational and consumer use. They provide impact and environmental protection for equipment such as cameras, electronics, firearms, tools, and outdoor gear.
Compact protective cases · 2007
Micro Cases
Micro Cases are compact, gasket-sealed containers for small devices, accessories, tools, and other items. Their small size extends Pelican's protective-case concept to portable personal equipment and everyday carry applications.
Vehicle storage · 2020
Cargo Cases
Cargo Cases are vehicle-mounted storage products designed for truck beds and utility vehicles. The line provides lockable protection for tools and equipment during transportation and is intended for trade, service, outdoor, and utility users.
Portable lighting · 1980
Pelican Flashlights
Pelican's flashlight portfolio developed from its early diving lights into products for law enforcement, fire safety, industrial work, military use, and general consumers. The range includes safety-approved handheld lights and high-output models such as the 7060 and 7000 series.
Temperature-controlled packaging · 2014
Pelican BioThermal
Pelican BioThermal provides temperature-controlled packaging and logistics solutions for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, and other temperature-sensitive products. The business was formed through the integration of Pelican's Minnesota Thermal Science and Cool Logistics activities and was later strengthened by the NanoCool acquisition.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Pelican for Patriots
United States
Pelican for Patriots provided protective cases to wounded military veterans for transporting and protecting prosthetic equipment.
Outcome. A charitable support program associated with Pelican's military and veteran community.
- 2010Haiti disaster relief support
Haiti
Pelican supplied coolers, flashlights, and cases to assist rescue and recovery activities following the Haiti disaster.
Outcome. Products were contributed to disaster-response efforts.
Brand decisions
2021
Complete Platinum Equity acquisitionM&ABackground
Pelican remained a privately held manufacturer with businesses spanning cases, lighting, and temperature-controlled packaging.
Action taken
Platinum Equity completed its acquisition of Pelican Products.
Aftermath
Pelican continued operating as an active private company under new ownership.
2020
Acquire NanoCoolM&ABackground
Pelican continued developing its temperature-controlled packaging platform.
Action taken
Pelican acquired NanoCool.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened the capabilities of the Pelican BioThermal business.
2016
Launch the Pelican Air Case lineProduct launchBackground
Professional users needed strong protective cases that were easier to carry and ship.
Action taken
Pelican introduced a lighter case family using a proprietary resin formulation.
Aftermath
The product portfolio gained a lightweight alternative to traditional hard cases.
2013
Enter temperature-controlled packagingStrategyBackground
Pelican's protection expertise could be extended from physical containers to temperature-sensitive logistics.
Action taken
The company acquired Minnesota Thermal Science and later combined the business with Cool Logistics under the Pelican BioThermal name.
Aftermath
Pelican established a life-sciences and healthcare logistics business alongside its case and lighting operations.
2009
Acquire Hardigg IndustriesM&ABackground
Pelican sought to expand its protective-case portfolio into large rotationally molded transport systems.
Action taken
Pelican announced the acquisition of Hardigg Industries.
Aftermath
Pelican added large transport cases and strengthened its military and industrial offering.
Reported acquisition value. $200 million (2009)
2004
Accept acquisition by Behrman CapitalM&ABackground
Pelican was a privately held manufacturer expanding beyond its original diving-market focus.
Action taken
Behrman Capital acquired Pelican Products.
Aftermath
The company continued international expansion, product development, and acquisitions under private-equity ownership.
Reported acquisition value. approximately $200 million (October 2004)
Recent events
Platinum Equity agrees to acquire Pelican Products[2]
Reported:
Platinum Equity signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pelican Products; the transaction had not yet closed and was expected to be finalized by year-end.
Case-Mate and Pelican Products enter an exclusive licensing agreement[3]
Reported:
Case-Mate entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Pelican Products to introduce the Pelican Outdoor collection.
Case-Mate introduces the Pelican Outdoor collection[3]
Reported:
Case-Mate introduced the Pelican Outdoor collection, a line of soft-line products for outdoor tech and gear protection and other outdoor gear.
Sources3 sources
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