Legrand acquires Focal Point
(US) – The acquisition strengthens Legrand’s portfolio and position in the architectural lighting market.
Legrand, North and Central America (LNCA) has announced the
acquisition, subject to closing, of Focal Point, a Chicago-based, privately held
manufacturer of architectural lighting products.
The acquisition is the fifth addition to Legrand’s Lighting
sector, and marks the company’s elevation to a full solutions provider in the
architectural lighting space. Legrand provides a high degree of autonomy to its
lighting companies, and will support Focal Point’s business leadership team in
the pursuit of innovation and growth.
“The acquisition of Focal Point aligns with Legrand’s
strategy of investing in companies with shared vision and values, customer
centric culture, and focus on complementary market segments,” said LNCA
President and CEO John Selldorff. “Focal Point’s strong brand, proven
relationships and impressive product portfolio aligns well with our
architectural lighting busniesses, and I’m confident this acquisition will
expand not just Legrand’s portfolio, but our capacity to serve new market
segments and customers.”
Peter Thornton Sr, Founder and Chairman of Focal Point,
added: “Over the last 25 years, we’ve built a company I’m truly proud of. This
is thanks to our dedicated team, and also to our agents, who have played a pivotal
role in our success.
“Legrand has a history of investing in the companies it
acquires to foster and accelerate their growth. With this transaction, we will
be able to leverage Legrand’s capabilities to deliver even more comprehensive
solutions that will further our collective success. We will continue to provide
the superior service and high quality, innovative products the market expects,
along with the additional benefit of Legrand’s expertise.”
www.legrand.us
www.focalpointlights.com
Ecosense acquires assets from Soraa
(US) - The move marks an entry into the LED lamp replacement category for LA-based Ecosense.
Ecosense has this week announced that it has acquired assets from Soraa.
Under the terms of the deal, Ecosense acquires the Soraa name, intellectual property and lamps, including the company's signature Vivid, Brilliant HL and Healthy product lines. The move is the first foray into the professional lamp category for Ecosense.
"This acquisition accelerates our strategy into the next wave of lighting," explained Mark Reynoso, CEO of Ecosense. "Soraa has an unparalleled reputation for beam and spectral quality. Their intellectual property and technology portfolio - including Zeroblue, full spectrum and healthy lighting - highly complements our own intellectual property and related technologies. We will prioritise enhancing and accelerating their antibacterial technology to market."
Soraa was co-founded by Shuji Nakamura, a 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics for his invention of the blue LED. Speaking of the acquisition, Nakamura said: "Soraa is a pioneer in full spectrum and circadian lighting. Combining with Ecosense, we significantly expand our leadership and intellectual property rights in these and related fields. We are excited about our next phase of growth together."
Following the acquisition, Soraa will continue to operate as its own distinct brand.
www.ecosenselighting.com
www.soraa.com
Covid-19 impact on design industry
(Global) – More US design shows cancel amid coronavirus pandemic.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to see design
events and trade shows around the world forced to reschedule or cancel completely,
with a series of US-based shows due to take place in May the latest casualties.
Following the news last week that Lightfair has been postponed to “late summer or early fall”, and the rescheduling of LEDucation to mid-August, HD Expo, Las Vegas, ICFF and Wanted Design in New York have all been cancelled for 2020.
Currently, Lightovation in Texas and Cruise Ship Interiors
Expo in Miami, both planned for June, are scheduled to take place as planned,
however NeoCon in Chicago – also set for June – has been ‘suspended’, with new
dates yet to be confirmed.
In the UK, May’s Clerkenwell Design Week has been pushed
back to 14-16 July, while Plasa Focus Leeds, due to take place on 12-13 May, has
been cancelled. However, Plasa, scheduled for 6-8 September at London’s Olympia,
is still, for the moment at least, proceeding “full steam ahead”.
Elsewhere, Design Shanghai Fair has confirmed that the show will now be held from 26-29 May.
[d]arc room, scheduled for 17-19 September during London Design Fair, is still going ahead as planned.
During these uncertain times, arc magazine wants to support the architectural lighting industry as best we can. Many manufacturers will have planned to launch new product lines at one of the many shows to have been postponed or cancelled, and as such, instead of our usual Show Product Previews and Reviews, we’re offering a more general Product Focus feature for the April/May issue – highlighting products launched so far this year, and those that were due to be unveiled at cancelled shows and events.
We are also planning a series of dedicated product newsletters
over the coming months – focusing on recent launches and we welcome you to
submit your latest offerings for inclusion. The magazine is still being
posted out to our global circulation of 12,000 industry professionals – many of
whom will be limiting their social interaction and in need of something to read!
Now more than ever, it is important we work together to ensure
the industry survives.
Lightfair 2020 Postponed
(USA) – The show, scheduled to take place May 3-7, to move to “late summer or early fall”.
Lightfair has announced the postponement of its 2020 trade
show and conference, citing “growing concerns around Covid-19, shifting
industry sentiments, and an overall wish to preserve health and safety”.
Originally scheduled to take place on May 3-7 in Las Vegas,
the event will now take place later this year, pending improved conditions.
“There is no question that the safety and wellbeing of all
Lightfair attendees comes first,” said Dan Darby, show director. “We have been
carefully monitoring the official updates and conferring with the leadership of
IALD and IES, Lightfair’s co-owners, on the best course forward. At this time,
postponing the show is our most responsible action.”
Lightfair’s decision to postpone the show comes seven weeks
before its staging, with the goal of allowing attendees, speakers and
exhibitors to update their plans accordingly.
Marsha Turner, CEO of IALD, added: “As a global organisation
that is built around people and connections – both locally and globally – the IALD’s
top priority is the health and safety of our members, programme participants
and staff.
“We believe this is the responsible thing to do considering
the circumstances and gives all parties time to adjust for the change in dates.”
The IALD was also due to host its annual IALD Education Trust
Dinner and IALD Awards Show during Lightfair. This too has been postponed, with
the association currently “exploring options regarding the event”.
A statement from the IALD read: “This is one of the biggest
nights in lighting and we would be heartbroken to have to cancel this year’s
event, but will make the best decision for everyone involved.”
More information on the new dates for Lightfair and the IALD
Education Trust Dinner will be shared as and when it becomes available.
LEDforum.20 announces confirmed speakers
(Brazil) – Daan Roosegaarde, Jan Blieske, Liz West, to speak at São Paulo event.
Following the success of last year’s 10-year anniversary
edition, organisers of LEDforum have unveiled the first confirmed speakers for
its 2020 event.
Held on 20-21 August in São Paulo, Brazil, the event will
offer a series of lectures and activities with high technical content for all
knowledge levels.
Confirmed speakers for this year’s event include German
architect and lighting designer Jan Blieske, professor in the international Architectural
Lighting Design Master’s programme at Hochschule Wismar; Mary-Anne Kyriakou,
professor of Architectural Lighting, and Lighting Planning and Design at the
University of Applied Sciences of Ost-Westfalen Lippe in Detmold, Germany;
Dutch lighting designer Wim aan de Stegge, founder of Lampje aan Design
Consultants in New Delhi, India; and British artist Liz West, who specialises
in developing site-specific installations using colour, light and its physical
properties.
Award-winning artist and architect Daan Roosegaarde, founder
of Studio Roosegaarde and creator of internationally acclaimed installations
that raise awareness of the global climate crisis, has also been confirmed as
the first keynote speaker.
Besides the lectures, LEDforum presents itself as a place
for manufacturers to launch new lighting equipment, and to promote the lighting
business, alongside intensive networking. The 2020 edition will also introduce
new ways of occupying the exhibition areas.
Created as an instrument to provide the audience with
professional tools in the educational, commercial and social spheres, LEDforum is
committed to the training and qualification of the local lighting community.
The event also promotes a group dynamic among its attendees, such as the round
table mesa.360, which encourages a dialogue among lighting designers,
architects, suppliers, educators and other strategic members of the sector.
Registration for LEDforum.20 will open on 16 March, with the
complete programme to be announced soon.
LEDucation rescheduled for August
(USA) – The event will now be held August 18-19.
Organisers of LEDucation 2020, due to take place from 17-18
March, have announced that the event has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled
for August 18-19.
The decision, made by the Designers Lighting Forum of New
York and the LEDucation committee, is based on the growing concerns of Covid-19
in the lighting industry, and the New York community.
The two day event, hosting more than 400 exhibitors, was
anticipated to draw more than 6,000 attendees. “We recognise all the hard work
that so many have put into preparing for the LEDucation Trade Show and
Conference,” said Burt Grant and Caroline Rinker, LEDucation co-chairs. “Based
on the evaluation of evolving circumstances, it is clear that it would be an
unacceptable risk to bring so many together in New York next week. The safety
and health of our industry is of utmost importance.”
The March conference was set to feature 33 sessions, led by lighting and allied field industry experts. “We appreciate the effort and support of our LEDucation 2020 speakers,” added Wendy Kaplan and Craig Fox, presentation co-chairs. “We look forward to working with them again for the August show.”
LEDucation is the latest trade show to be impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak, following the postponement of both Light+Building and Salone del Mobile and the cancellation of LpS/TiL. Lightfair International, slated for 5-7 May, is still scheduled to go ahead as planned. Although as more countries around the world are becoming affected by the virus, it remains to be seen whether this too will be postponed.
Recolight to host Circular Economy Conference
(UK) – The conference will take place on March 24th in London Docklands.
On March 24th, Recolight is hosting a conference
to highlight how the lighting industry can adopt Circular Economy principles.
The event, which takes place in London Docklands, is intended to highlight the
commercial opportunities in ending waste and obsolescence for lighting
products.
The one-day discussion reflects the increased need for the
industry to deal with the impact of its products and practices on the
environment, and will bring together Government, manufacturers, specifiers and
end users to discuss the steps that all must take to improve their
environmental performance. Delegates will also hear of the legislation and
standards that are likely to drive these requirements.
In developing the programme for the conference, Recolight
has worked with leading lighting industry experts to design an agenda covering
all aspects of the Circular Economy for lighting. The conference will be
introduced and chaired by Ray Molony, Independent Consultant to the lighting
industry.
“I can’t imagine any topic that’s timelier and more urgent
than this one,” he said. “Across the industry, I’m seeing a real willingness to
contribute to the wider decarbonisation of the economy. But our endeavours need
to be joined up, and that’s why this event is a really important start of the
conversation.”
The programme will start with an introduction on the
Circular Economy, learning about the opportunities and a recycler’s
perspective. Defra, LightingEurope and Recolight will cover legislation; both what
you need to do now, and future legislation for the UK and EU. John Bullock will
challenge participants to be more sustainable, while a panel discussion led by
Ray Molony will explore the perspective of end users and how they can be incentivised
to use lighting that minimises material use and is both recyclable and
reusable.
The programme will round off with presentations from lighting
designers and producers who have adapted circular economy principles into their
projects and products.
More information on the conference can be found here.
EFLA KSLD relocates to new premises
(UK) – The studio moves from Baltic Street, Edinburgh, to
Leith Dock.
EFLA | Kevan Shaw Lighting Design (KSLD) has moved to new premises at 100 Ocean Drive, Leith.
Formerly based on Baltic Street in Edinburgh, the move comes as a result of the studio’s continued expansion since becoming part of EFLA Consulting Engineers in November 2018.
“Since becoming part of EFLA Consulting Engineers, our
horizons have continued to grow, and we are delighted to face a bright future
in our fresh new home,” the studio said of the move.
“Our new studio is next to Ocean Terminal at Leith Dock, overlooking the Royal Yacht Britannia. We look forward to experiencing the ever-changing rise and fall of the sun across the dramatic harbour landscape.”
Natalie Redford, Associate Director at EFLA KSLD, said: "The view and the daylight has been transformational. As I'm writing this I can hear the birds capering outside in the harbour - it's brilliant. I can't wait to see how we will grow into our new environment."
Kevan Shaw, Design Director of EFLA KSLD, added: "Moving after nearly 30 years in the same office has been a bit of an upheaval for me. However, we are now in a beautifully daylit space with expansive views over the Leith Docks to Fife. We are keen to see how the less crowded and more peaceful space changes our design process and approach to projects."
EFLA KSLD’s new address is:
100 Ocean Drive
Edinburgh
EH6 6JJ
Scotland
UK
Siteco appoints new CEO
(Germany) – Mark Henrik Körner became CEO of Siteco at beginning
of 2020
At the beginning of 2020, Mark Henrik Körner was appointed
as the new CEO of Siteco, completing a new-look management team for the German
manufacturer.
During his career, Körner has worked for Philips Lighting,
and most recently was a member of the Trilux Management Board, where he served
as Chief Sales Officer.
Körner joins Klaas Vegter and Ralph Hesse, who were
appointed as CTO/COO and CFO respectively in October of last year. A Dutch native,
Vegter worked at Philips for 30 years, leaving the company as CTO, while Hesse
was most recently a partner at business consulting firm Stern Stewart, a
position in which he was accountable for many projects involving finance, strategy
and M&A.
“We can no longer look at light in isolation,” said new CEO
Körner. “Today’s world requires connected solutions that are integrated into
central management and automation systems. With individual solutions that
extend all the way to the development of special luminaires, we will address
the specific needs of our customers in the application areas of municipalities,
sports and events, industrial and area lighting, retail and office.”
Former CEO of Siteco, Herbert Willmy-Quensen has withdrawn
from active participation in the company’s management, but will continue to be
an advisor to the company.
New dates for Light+Building
(Germany) - The trade show will now take place at the end of September.
Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Light+Building, have announced that the trade show will now take place from 27 September - 2 October.
The show, previously scheduled to take place on 8 - 13 March, was postponed earlier this week following a number of stand cancellations amid growing concerns regarding Coronavirus.
www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com
Trilux announces Xperience Tour
(Germany) – The tour will allow Trilux customers across
Europe to see its products up close.
Following the postponement of Light+Building 2020 until mid-September
due to the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus, Trilux has announced that it will
be going on a “major European tour” from March onwards, allowing customers to
see the German manufacturer’s products up close.
Named the Xperience Tour, the company will visit a total of
20 destinations across Europe, from Berlin to Vienna and Brussels to London,
with stops in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, France, Spain, the Czech
Republic and the UK.
“The fact that Light+Building was postponed two weeks before
the start is very regrettable from a business point of view, but completely
necessary from a health policy aspect in order to reduce the risk of spreading –
and therefore absolutely correct,” said Joachin Geiger, Head of Sales and
Marketing at Trilux. “Customer proximity is essential for us and it’s the
reason why we have decided to bring our products and services directly to
customers.
“Customers can experience our vision of the light of the
future in our interactive showrooms in Cologne, Arnsberg and Amersfoort
throughout the year. With the Xperience Tour, we’re bringing individual
lighting solutions, innovative services from monitoring to Pay per Use, and quality
‘Made by Trilux’ directly to your door.”
More details of the Xperience Tour can be found online at: https://www.trilux.com/de/unternehmen/veranstaltungen/xperience-tour-2020/.
DW Windsor acquires Pulsar
(UK) – Pulsar to remain independent brand under parent company DW Windsor.
As a result of an asset purchase agreement (APA), DW Windsor
has acquired Pulsar, expanding its façade and floodlighting portfolio with a
complementary range of wall washing/grazing luminaires and control systems;
capturing growth within the public realm markets and expanding upon
international business opportunities.
Terry Dean, CEO and Group Chairman of DW Windsor, said of
the acquisition: “Creative and experience lighting are exciting growth markets;
the acquisition of the Pulsar brand was therefore a logical step in the evolution
of the Group – which includes DW Windsor and IoT specialist Urban Control.
“We have big plans for the rejuvenation of the Pulsar brand.
The APA strengthens our wider portfolio and demonstrates our commitment to
providing lighting that enhances our public realm.
“We believe the union of brands offers our specifiers a
comprehensive toolkit of professional lighting solutions suitable for a wide
variety of applications, both within the UK and internationally.”
Founded in 1966, Pulsar has a long history in architectural
lighting, and is best known for international projects such as the World Trade
Centre in Bahrain (pictured).
Both manufacturing facilities, DW Windsor in Hertfordshire,
and Pulsar in Cambridgeshire, will continue to operate under the agreement, and
Pulsar will remain an independent brand under the parent company.
www.dwwindsor.com
www.pulsarlight.com
