Outbound Lighting, the Chicago-based producer of lighting solutions for the cycling industry, reported 55% year-over-year sales growth in 2022 and was named to the Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies in America.
In 2022, Outbound grew its retail market, streamlined the designs of its core product line-up, and released Detour (US$179), its latest handlebar-mounted bike light.
Outbound’s retail network reportedly tripled with growth of 220%. The company expanded its retail footprint nationwide across the USA and into Canada. Looking ahead to 2023, the company adds that new relationships with international distribution partners will help make direct shipping faster and more affordable in Canada.
“Expanding the local bike shop network is a key goal for the company in 2023,” said Matt Conte, owner of Outbound Lighting. “In addition, we are currently in the process of developing interactive displays for shops that will be eye catching and will help drive brand awareness for customers.”
Outbound’s core product sales, including its recently updated Hangover wireless helmet light (US$135), saw strong growth year-on-year in 2022 despite the bike industry being down overall. The best-selling Hangover was upgraded in 2022 to feature a shell with a unique thermally-conductive polymer that is lighter in weight.
Outbound optimized the beam pattern for trail riding with the Hangover, which is designed to pair with the complementary Trail Evo wireless handlebar light in the Evo Downhill Package (US$245).
Detour is the latest handlebar-mounted bike light developed by Outbound’s engineering team. It is specifically designed for road riding, gravel riding and commuting. The custom optic design packs a cut-off beam into a self-contained package that is USB-C rechargeable and slim enough to fit in a pocket.
“The Detour road light is designed in Chicago by our team of engineers from the automotive and LED lighting industry. It’s literally automotive lighting tech on your bike, which allows us to put all the light where you can actually use it,” added Matt Conte.
The 2022 Inc 5000 list represents the companies growing in a time of change. Ranking 672 on the line-up in the wake of a global pandemic, Outbound Lighting attributes its 934% growth over just the past three years to… ‘a dedicated US-based team, exceptional customer service, and continuous innovation.’
In 2022, Outbound added that it made significant investment in automation equipment to improve the efficiency and quality of the assembly process in-house and has scaled its production capability almost 10x.
