Nextorch North America, the primary U.S. distributor of global manufacturer Nextorch Industries, is celebrating the company’s 20 years of providing lighting solutions for consumers, law enforcement professionals and military forces around the world. The firm’s name has yet to gain the familiarity of some of its competitors, but brand recognition has grown significantly since 2023, when it opened a stateside headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., and distribution center in Tukwila, Wash.
The company holds nearly 150 patents and in 2010 was one of the founding members of the Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO)—the group that sets industry standards for output, dust and water resistance and more. The firm has a branch in Germany, its products are made in China and used in more than 100 nations.
The anniversary comes at a time when devastating storms have recently claimed hundreds of innocent lives and property. The tragic losses underscore the importance of having backup portable lights that are reliable and tested to survive.
Timely Reminder
Long before clouds gather is the time for readers to check their backup lights. If an upgrade is needed a good place to begin research is visiting ANSI/PLATO standards and testing requirements. The organization does not require member companies to place each of the icons on their product’s packaging or marketing materials—space is limited, after all—but it does encourage them to include it on their websites or in instructions to help consumers made wise purchase decisions.
The organization’s IPX7 standard, for example, means the light can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes and will remain operational. To attain the rating, however, it must first pass the drop test, ensuring reliability after being dropped onto concrete six times (once on each “side”) from a height of one meter.
Limited-Edition Nextorch
As part of the 20-year celebration, Nextorch held a Low-Light Tactical Institute summit in Germany. Top law enforcement professionals and tactical experts from around the globe gathered to connect and collaborate.
It also introduced a limited-edition version of its top-selling TA22 tactical pen light. The 20th Anniversary Special Edition TA22 produces 850 lumens capable of illuminating large areas and identifying objects clearly. Beam distance in high mode is up to 95 meters. It comes with the company’s patented one-step-strobe feature that enables quick access to strobe for emergency situations, Lock, Duty and TAC settings and more.
The TA22 is constructed from A6061-T6 aluminum alloy and passes ANSI 6.5' drop tests. That virtue isn’t unique to the penlight today, but it’s also IPX8 waterproof submergible up to 6.5'. The TA22 is equipped with a USB-C rechargeable 10880 Li-ion battery capable of up to 500 charge cycles.
