Founder Silverstein to Retire from Liteline

Liteline (Richmond Hill, Ontario): Liteline announced the retirement of Steve Silverstein, its founder and president, after 40 years leading the business.

The company began with Silverstein and his wife, Helen, selling aftermarket lens replacements for fluorescent fixtures in 1979, offering distributors small-run custom fabrication and quick deliveries. The company now has 130 employees, a 160,000 sq-ft office and warehouse facility, as well as strong business relationships throughout Canada and the United States, the company said in a release.

“I have observed that the tendency of company founders is to stay onboard for too long and not make room for fresh leadership,” said Silverstein.

As early as 2004, Silverstein began grooming his children, Daniel, Mark and Sarah, for this transition and he told employees in August that they would succeed him as principals of the company.