The Light Ring wasn’t born in a lab or a corporate R&D department. The spark of an idea for it came in the field from a simple need during a long day’s work.
In 2014, while working in a lift station in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Shane Jacobson, co-owner of CIT Sewer Solutions, and a colleague asked a practical question: “Why doesn’t someone make a light that we can just lower into the structure and see what we’re doing?” That moment lit the fuse for what would become the Light Ring.
Shane’s solution was elegantly simple but took several iterations to perfect. Prototypes were built with the help of his cousin, who owned a fabrication shop. Early models were tested by CIT’s own field crews. Feedback drove refinements, and by the third prototype, they had a production-worthy version. In partnership with NozzTeq, they sold more than 50 units, but when manufacturing stalled, the project was put on hold.
Years later, the idea got new life when Shane teamed up with Jacob Swanson of Avanti. The new generation of Light Ring units addressed past limitations and included features like a secure safety cover — a game-changer for municipalities concerned with open manhole safety. Cities like Sacramento and San Francisco quickly placed orders, drawn to the safety, ease of use and visibility it offered.
Powered by a standard Milwaukee battery, the Light Ring brings hands-free illumination and enhanced safety to sewer inspection and cleaning crews. It also reduces equipment damage, by allowing operators to keep both hands free while working. Its visibility helps prevent accidents and improves communication among crew members.
Today, the Light Ring is more than a tool — it’s a testament to how frontline innovation can reshape industry safety and efficiency. And with new products like the Torch and Torch Rail in development, Shane’s inventor spirit is still going strong. The Light Ring is just the beginning of what’s possible when contractors ask, “What if?” and then build the answer themselves.
Read more about CIT Sewer Solutions in the January 2026 issue of Cleaner magazine.
