Luminii acquires iLight Technologies
(USA) - Luminii doubles down on rapid growth with strategic acquisition, adding iLight Technologies’ pioneering illumination solutions to a growing LED portfolio.
Luminii, a manufacturer of specification-grade architectural LED lighting systems, has acquired iLight Technologies, an LED manufacturer specialising in patented LED application systems and durable and flexible commercial illumination products complementary to existing Luminii product lines.
“The new and immediate possibilities iLight brings to Luminii and our customers are both refreshing and exciting as we continue to chart our growth,” said Jeff Parker, CEO of Luminii. “iLight Technologies expands our product offering and standards for creating high-quality products, giving customers a broader range of options to design Luminii products into their projects. iLight also provides us with added strength and potential in outdoor product offerings that are unique to the market.”
iLight Technologies, under the leadership of its CEO Sean Callahan, also adds new colour to Luminii’s client roster with a customer portfolio including notables such as Blue Moon Brewery, W Hotel, Kate Spade, Navy Pier, JW Marriott and a host of eclectic projects in renowned indoor and outdoor applications.
“At iLight, we cannot imagine a better partner to accelerate the growth and innovation our team has generated for our company and customers,” Callahan said. “When considering the transaction, we quickly gained confidence in Luminii as a force for bringing iLight products and technologies to life in new ways and multiplying our strong momentum. With iLight now in good hands, I am now eager to spend even more time developing and growing a new technology we began at iLight, our SpellBrite Click-Together LED Letter business.”
As Luminii’s third strategic acquisition within the last year, the transaction with Chicago-based iLight Technologies underscores Luminii’s determination to unlock new market opportunities and reinforce its domestic manufacturing and product capabilities as part of a bold expansion strategy. Luminii acquired two other LED lighting manufacturers, California-based Optic Arts and Canada-based Senso, in 2019.
“In pursuing this acquisition, Luminii followed a rigorous process for identifying particularly strong partners with high-quality products that align to our engineering design ethics, manufacturing, and operational objectives,” said Amy Bonder, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Luminii. “Along with complementary products, we create new centres of excellence at all levels of the business as iLight brings its unique expertise to the company.”
Luminii will also utilise and expand iLight Technologies’ manufacturing facilities in Cookeville, Tennessee, helping to significantly enhance the company’s U.S. supply chain.
“At Luminii, we will continue to push the boundaries of lighting technology and innovation by supporting the advancement of all aspects of the business, through future strategic acquisitions, organic growth, and inventive new product development,” Parker said. “Joining forces with iLight now gives both companies tremendous opportunities for expanding market share and bringing highly unique products to the lighting industry, all to the benefit of our growing roster of enthusiastic and loyal customers.”
Parker said Luminii will continue to carry and produce iLight Technologies’ award-winning product brands with deepened investments in engineering and manufacturing support.
Issue 116
arc Jun/Jul 2020 – Issue 116
Turn on, tune in...
arc’s gone digital with the newly launched arc TV...
Well, here we are again! A quick look at my calendar tells me that, at the time of writing, we’re in our 11th week of lockdown here in the UK. While it’s crazy to think that it has been that long already, it also feels like a lifetime ago since I last went into our office, or to the cinema, or to a football game, or to the pub (remember going to the pub?!).
It’s safe to say that we’ve all adapted pretty well to the “new normal” of life under lockdown - quizzes over Zoom, webinars, working from home, quizzes over Zoom, webinars, etc. And I have to admit that while the prospect of spending an indeterminate amount of time at home with just my cat for company during the day (Mrs. Waring continues to do amazing work as a proton radiotherapist for the NHS) was pretty daunting, this whole experience has given me a newfound appreciation for some of life’s little pleasures: a simple walk along the nearby river, the sound of birds in the trees and where possible, soaking up some much-needed sunshine!
It’s also allowed us at [d]arc media to try a few new things here and there, including the launch of our new online platform - arc tv, where we’ve collated some of the best visual content from across the lighting industry. We’ve also made a couple of our own exclusive [d]arc thoughts videos. In the first, I chatted with Mark Elliott of FPOV, Birgit Walter from BMLD, Brett Andersen of Focus Lighting, and Deeksha Surendra of dpa lighting consultants about how the lighting design industry has reacted to Covid-19 on a global scale. In our second video, our own Paul James checks in for a chat with Speirs + Major Principal, Mark Major. We’ve got plenty more exclusive content in the pipeline too, so look out for further announcements.
In between all of this, we’ve also been working hard to bring you this, the latest issue of arc magazine. With a special focus on the Far East, I was delighted to speak with our cover stars, teamLab, about their creative process, and the ethos behind their incredible installations.
Our Assistant Editor Sarah Cullen also caught up with Light Collective about their whirlwind trip to the Far East, that saw them visit Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai in just five days, all in the name of Women in Lighting (make sure you check out WIL in Lockdown, and it’s excellent playlist too!).
Until next time, I hope you’re all keeping well. Stay safe, and enjoy the issue!
Stay safe everyone!
Matt Waring
Editor
arc
HIX announces postponement to 2021
(UK) - The Hotel Interiors Experience Event (HIX) postpones its 2020 debut to 2021.
Based in London's Business Design Centre in the heart of Europe's hospitality specification community, HIX is London’s new event dedicated to hotel design. Its doors will open for the first time in November 2021.
"With a heavy heart, a real frustration and yet a sense of the inevitable, we have decided to postpone HIX 2020 until 2021," says the HIX Event team at Connect X Media.
"We made this decision based on loads of uncontrollable factors but just one question: 'can we guarantee a brilliant HIX experience this year?' The potential implications of the uncontrollable made it impossible to answer that question with a confident 'yes we can!'
"And this brings us to the good news. The HIX 2020 exhibitors have pledged their support for 2021 and with 15 months before the event we have already allocated most of the stand spaces. So we now have the time and clarity to reflect, discuss, sketch and then create the hotel design experience that the community deserves."
"It's sad not do it this year but we'll all build HIX 2021 to be something credible, meaningful and something for the future," says Anand Gandesha from Hansgrohe.
"So here's to getting 2020 done, to staying safe, sharing, collaborating, washing our hands, designing a brilliant tomorrow and the journey to HIX at London's brilliant Business Design Centre, November 18th-19th 2021," added the event's team.
Women in Lighting launches T-shirt competition
(UK) - Women in Lighting (WiL) have launched a T-shirt design competition for the lighting community in an effort to spread words of positivity.
"In recent months we have all been bombarded by some serious and scary Covid messaging, but at the same time have been treated to an unprecedented wave of positivity in message-form with signs in windows and on billboards about kindness, community and helping each other. Then came the start of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and more messages appeared all over the globe. Without a doubt, it's a time for sharing messages and for creating global solidarity," says Light Collective, Co-Founders of Women in Lighting.
"Women in Lighting wants to join in this global phenomena by sharing our positive messages and to achieve this we are launching a T-shirt design competition.
"The T-shirt was originally designed to be a basic undergarment. But over the years, the world’s most ubiquitous fashion item has become a powerful political weapon. T-shirts are a great barometer of social change. They can shock, outrage, unite and challenge the status quo. They can also help to disseminate messages around the world," they continued.
"With a T-shirt as your canvas, WiL invites you to express your creativity to create a special WiL T-shirt that share the values of our community. Using the themes of equality, empowerment, inspiration and light, we invite you to submit a design for this competition.
"We kick off the competition on 17th August and the WiL website will be open for submissions from then. All the Terms and Conditions are on the website along with a form to submit your design. Submissions will close on 30th September. Our lovely judges Liz West, Giacomo Rossi and Yishan Zhuang will pick 10 designs that will be made into T-shirts and housed on our very own WiL T-shirt shop. Any profits from the sale of these T-shirts will go to the US based charity Light Reach. Watch out for information on social media about the competition as it proceeds.
"What do you want to say?"
[d]arc awards early bird deadline ends this Sunday
(UK) - Early bird deadline for entries to end at 12am on Sunday 16 August.
This year's [d]arc awards has officially opened, with the entry process for new products and projects now underway.
Entering its sixth year, the online, peer-to-peer awards platform has proved to be a big hit with lighting designers and manufacturers alike, with all entries being displayed on the [d]arc awards website.
The deadline for early bird entries closes on Sunday 16 August, while the final deadline for entries is 7 September. Once entries have been shortlisted by a panel of international lighting designers, it'll be up to the international lighting design community to cast their all important vote.
Categories this year are:
Projects
STRUCTURES (High + Low Budget) – Best Exterior Lighting Scheme
PLACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Interior Lighting Scheme
SPACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Landscape Lighting Scheme
ART (High + Low Budget) – Best Light Art Installation / Best Bespoke Installation
EVENT – Best Creative Lighting Event
Products
KIT – Best Lighting Products
• Interior Luminaires
• Exterior Luminaires
• Decorative Luminaires
• Technology
The deadline for entries is 7 September 2020, and all entries must have been completed or launched between 1 April 2019 and 7 September 2020. The early bird deadline for entries is Sunday 16 August 2020.
Every independent lighting designer and light artist is eligible to vote online for their favourite lighting schemes and products. Every designer that votes is also eligible for a free ticket to [d]arc night, the [d]arc awards ceremony, which will once again return to MC Motors in London on 3 December. The awards party has become a staple in the lighting design calendar, and for the past two years has acted as the unofficial Christmas Party for the lighting industry.
Highlights from last year's [d]arc night can be found here.
[d]arc night will feature up to sixteen light installations created by lighting designers using lighting fixtures from the awards sponsors.
Sponsors so far include formalighting, Kingfisher, LED Flex, Lumascape, Seoul Semiconductor and TLS. Lighting design practices involved include: Arup, Buro Happold, Foundry, Hoare Lea, Ideaworks, Ithaca, LDI, MBLD, Michael Grubb Studio, Nulty and Studio 29, along with a special Women in Lighting design team.
Suppliers interested in sponsoring the awards and working with a lighting design team should contact the arc team.
LED Expo Mumbai announces new dates
(India) – Show now scheduled to take place on 20-22 May 2021.
Originally due to take place in September 2020, organisers for India’s LED Expo Mumbai have announced that the show will now open its doors on 20-22 May 2021 in Hall 1 of the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India.
The show traditionally attracts visitors from across India and abroad, but considering the present status, exhibition organisers Messe Frankfurt India are still looking for the go-ahead from the government to restart exhibitions in the other country, as well as other vital elements like international travel.
After close consultation with industry experts, a decision was made to postpone the event until May next year – the decision was well supported by exhibitors and stakeholders. Organisers feel that the decision will also enable the lighting sector to regain its strength, while providing adequate time for companies to study future demands, develop new products, strengthen supply chains and restore business for the overall lighting market in India.
“Our show, LED Expo Mumbai, is an important event in the business calendars of our stakeholders, and every year, the lighting industry eagerly waits to meet and network at our platform,” said Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings. “I believe that by May 2021, we will have a far more stable health situation, along with a healthy business environment. I am looking forward to a variety of product launches and technological advancements as this period will provide the industry with the required time to channel their efforts and plan their participation more effectively.”
IALD signs friendship agreement with LiTG
(USA) – Agreement will see both organisations work to promote lighting design profession.
The IALD has joined a friendship agreement with international lighting organisation Deutsche Lichttechnische Gesellschaft (LiTG), based in Berlin, Germany.
The two organisations will work together to jointly promote the interests of independent lighting designers, and to raise awareness of the profession and further its development internationally.
The friendship agreement was signed by IALD CEO Marsha Turner and LiTG Chairman Thomas Klimiont, who recognise the common goals that unite IALD and LiTG. Both associations understand the importance of professional development and continuing education for lighting designers, as well as the general support of professionals and students in this profession. IALD and LiTG will work to advance lighting quality through research, scientific papers and conferences.
The initiative was spearheaded by Andreas Schulz, chair of the IALD Europe Steering Committee and founder of Licht Kunst Licht. Schultz is active in both associations, and of the agreement, he said: “This friendship agreement encourages both associations to exchange ideas, opinions and views with each other to promote cooperative discussions and efforts to areas of common importance. It will strengthen the impact of both parties by having the opportunity to share experience and knowledge.”
The friendship agreement fosters the collaboration between the two organisations to maintain a regular exchange of information, encourage participation in each other’s activities such as conferences, seminars and organise shared events to bring both associations’ members together.
ILP launches Lighting United
(UK) – The day of online events and activities, held on 9 September, will offer support to lighting community.
The Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) is planning a series of online events and training throughout the remainder of 2020, and will launch its Autumn plan at its online AGM day, Lighting United, on 9 September.
The professional body, which supports everyone in lighting to share CPD knowledge, has no plans to organise any face to face events or training until 2021.
John Sutcliffe and James Duffin, the ILP Honorary Treasurers, explained: “The Institution relies on membership subscription fees to operate. Our view is that it’s not responsible or respectful for us to take on financial risk by organising face to face events and courses which could be cancelled while the pandemic continues.
“We also recognise the challenges employers and employees face in finding time and resources to allow colleagues to attend events. Sharing knowledge online at least eliminates travel time and expense.”
Tracey White, ILP CEO, added: “We know how much the lighting community is looking forward to being able to gather again in person, and we share those sentiments. In the meantime, we offer several different ways to stay connected, including our open house Hi Lights sessions. We will also be supporting our friends in the industry who are planning a mixture of digital and in-person events this Autumn, providing speakers and promotional support.”
Lighting United is a free day of online events and activities for the lighting community. On 9 September, the ILP invites lighting professionals to connect, update themselves on opportunities and be part of the future of lighting. The ILP team will show attendees how the community can support each other now and in the coming months, topping up your resilience and making attendees better equipped to deal with whatever else 2020 throws at us.
For more information and to register for Lighting United, visit: www.theilp.org.uk/agm-2020/
corporate friends C1-mini Zoom Optic
The C1 series has expanded its product range with a modular zoom optic. The beam angle can be freely adjusted between 6°-36° with a variable height of approx. 19-29mm and offers optimised anti-glare protection.
[d]arc media partners with Designers Mind
(UK) – Designers Mind aims to promote mental health awareness in the design community.
[d]arc media is delighted to announce that it has entered into a media partnership with Designers Mind.
Designers Mind is a forum and community, whose mission is to “help improve the mental wellbeing of designers at work”. The community, founded by interior designer and health coach Kaye Preston, aims to break down the stigma around mental health, while promoting a message of openness and acceptance through sharing stories and experiences, holding wellbeing-focused talks and workshops, and providing tools and resources on mental health and wellbeing.
Since its formation in late 2019, Designers Mind has already gained a great deal of support in the lighting design community; Nulty’s Kael Gillam is an active member of the Designers Mind team, and the pair have spoken on several different platforms about the forum, and the importance of raising awareness on mental health and wellbeing.
Of the new media partnership, arc editor Matt Waring said: “We’re living through some very strange, stressful times at the moment, so it’s more important than ever that we continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage more open discussions on the subject. The work that Designers Mind is doing in creating that dialogue, and offering a platform of support for the design community, is something that we are 100% in favour of.”
Kaye Preston, founder of Designers Mind, added: “We’re so excited to announce that [d]arc media is our first Media Partner supporting Designers Mind and helping us to spread our message: raising awareness about the mental health and wellbeing of designers in the workplace.”
SLL: Webinar with Designers Mind
Juliet Rennie, Coordinator of the SLL sits down with Kaye Preston, Designer, WELL AP, Health Coach and Founder of Designers Mind and Kael Gillam, Senior Lighting Designer at Nulty, to talk about Designers Mind.
During this fascinating webinar discussion, they talk about the journey that led Kaye to set up Designers Mind, the ethos behind it, and its goals as an organisation. Also up for discussion are the challenges faced by many working with the design and creative industries, as well as the steps that both individuals and their employers can take to understand and nurture wellbeing.
www.cibse.org/society-of-light-and-lighting
www.designers-mind.com
Blackpool Illuminations to honour NHS staff
(UK) – This year’s illuminations to be presented under the theme Bring on the Light.
As the UK has recently saluted 72 years of the NHS, Blackpool has announced that its annual Blackpool Illuminations display will this year feature a special tribute to the UK’s care workers.
The autumn display, presented under the theme of Bring on the Light, will celebrate the extraordinary efforts of the NHS and other key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As part of the tribute section, VisitBlackpool is inviting nominations for key workers to be included in a “Corona Heroes” display within the six-mile stretch of the Illuminations. Around 50 of the successful applicants will have illuminated images of themselves displayed within a newly-created section nearby to the Blackpool Tower.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the Blackpool Illuminations will this year be extended by two months, starting on 4 September and ending on 3 January 2021 – it will be the first time that Blackpool Illuminations have shone over Christmas and New Year.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture, said: “This year’s Blackpool Illuminations give us the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable efforts of those who have worked so tirelessly and selflessly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our theme of Bring on the Light for this year’s display is intended to celebrate the nation’s re-emergence from a period of darkness which has seen the worst public health crisis in a generation.
“The Corona Heroes section will allow us to put just some of our NHS and key workers up in lights.”
Cllr Campbell added that a further tribute within the Illuminations would be revealed in the coming months.
