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Market Intelligence for Lighting Developers

March 2021
DS: Check out my free guide, "Lead Generation Using Digital Automation for the Lighting Industry".  

Download Digital Marketing Guide

 
DS: DISC is projecting more than 11% growth in the electrical industry in 2021.

Sales Growth Acceleration Forecasted for 2021
Source: ElectricalTrends/  David Gordon

DISC, the electrical industry’s leading resource for electrical distribution market information, released its February DISC Flash report last week and it was a surprise … a significant acceleration is projected for the electrical industry.
Full Article
 

DS: Check out my interview on "Get A Grip On Lighting", the NAILD podcast.  Lots of interesting topics covered.

View Podcast

 
Socketed vs. Integrated LED Luminaires 
Source: ALA

A task group from ALA’s Engineering Committee recently posted a white paper on the subject of Socketed vs. Integrated LED Luminaires as guidance for residential and hospitality luminaire manufacturers. For example, when deciding to build a luminaire, manufacturers today must consider environmental factors such as overall efficacy and the product’s carbon footprint in addition to the traditional requirements of visual appeal, form factor, customer needs, performance and, of course, price. The 18-page document is not intended to be a specification, but rather a source of information that will aid the decision process. ALA appreciates the volunteer work of Chris Primous in leading the task group.
 
The document can be downloaded from the ALA website, here.
 
CEO Peer Advisory Service: CT, NY, & NJ
 
Vistage provides CEOs and other business leaders with the following services:


Confidential peer advisory boards
  • Work on your most pressing issues with an exclusive group of 12-16 chief executives from non-competing industries. 
  • Process issues in sessions led by a highly-trained executive coach.
Private executive coaching
  • Receive one-to-one coaching from an accomplished business leader.
  • Get personalized guidance to navigate challenges and opportunities.
World-class speakers and events
  • Learn from experts at your advisory board meetings, regional events and boot camps. 
  • Activate new ideas for business growth and personal development.
Specialized networks and communities
  • Join online and in-person communities organized by industry, function or geography.
  • Receive high-value answers to tactical questions.
CEOs in CT, NY, and NJ can contact:

Bill Drysdale
CEO Advisory Board Chair, Vistage Worldwide
914.912.9092 Direct 
bill.drysdale@vistagechair.com
Or visit www.vistage.com
 
Recent Mergers and Acquisitions

DS: Universal sold to Atar Capital (PE firm).
CONFIRMED: Universal Sold to Atar Capital
Source: EdisonReport / Randy Reid
EdisonReport has learned that Atar Capital is the company that has acquired Universal Lighting Technologies. EdisonReport can further confirm that Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Joe Damiani has left the company.
Full Post

DS: Bravo Business Media has new owner.
Unilog Acquires Bravo Business Media
Source: MyChesCo 
Unilog, the leading provider of powerful, affordable eCommerce solutions to mid-market businesses, announced recently that it has acquired Bravo Business Media, the preferred eCommerce solution for more than 600 decorative showrooms, in an all-cash transaction. 
News Release

DS: Two major mold/tool makers merge to form largest player in North America.  
Ontario Toolmaker Concours Technologies Buys AIS
Source: Canadian Plastics
In a deal involving two Windsor, Ont.-based toolmakers, Concours Technologies has acquired Active Industrial Solutions Inc. and Active Industrial Solutions Tennessee Inc. (collectively “AIS”). 
Full Article
 
DS: IES faces accusations of financial wrongdoing. I’m rethinking my membership. I’ve disliked how the society provides a single candidate per board seat for "elections", and how it recognizes itself with IES Progress Report inclusions. In my opinion, this is a pattern of poor judgement.  

A Statement from the IES Board of Directors
Source: inside.lighting

To the Members, Volunteers, Staff, and Partners of IES:

The Board of Directors is aware of the allegations made on social media by a former employee who asserts that, among other things, IES engaged in financial and accounting fraud and the wrongful termination of a whistleblower.
Full Statement
 
DS: The pandemic home-improvement boom continues for Home Depot and Lowe's.

More Big Numbers from Home Depot and Lowe's
Source: HBS Dealer

Home Depot and Lowe’s provided more evidence this week that home improvement is the leading cause of statistics. Both companies produced record-breaking results for the three months and full year ended Jan. 31. Here are some additional highlights that emerged from the company’s earnings calls.
Full Article
 
DS: DiLouie on DC microgrids.

Connecting up to DC: Direct Current Microgrids Are Making a Comeback
Source: Electrical Contracting/ Craig DiLouie

Throughout the age of alternating current, few imagined that direct current would reemerge as a viable primary power distribution option at the grid, community or building level. DC and hybrid AC/DC microgrids, however, have gained interest in recent years due to the proliferation of renewable energy, demands for backup power during grid failures and potential efficiencies that can be gained by directly connecting DC power to DC end-use devices, such as LED lighting and controls.
Full Article
 
DS: 2021 is looking to be a good rebate year, according to BrightSwitch.

Rebate Trends for 2021
Source: BriteSwitch

2020 was an incredibly tough year for many industries, except for maybe hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Commercial lighting was no different. As electrical utilities struggled to hit their energy savings goals, a record number of bonus rebates, 20% of the active programs in 2020, offered a bonus. Just as we've seen in previous times of economic turmoil, like the financial crisis of 2008, rebates increased to spur participation. Because of this, 2021 is shaping up to be a solid year for commercial lighting rebates.
Full Article
 
DS: New Apple app automates circadian lighting [although based on CCT].

'Follow the Sun' is a New Mac App to Automate Brightness and Color Temperature of HomeKit Lights
Source: 9to5Mac / Chance Miller

With iOS 14 last year, Apple added a new Adaptive Lighting feature to HomeKit. This feature allows lighting that can change to be automatically adjusted throughout the day. A new third-party HomeKit app has now hit the Mac App Store, giving you new ways to automate your lights.
Full Article
 
DS: How LED lighting and energy codes can complicate facility security and increase facility owner liability.

Are More Stringent Lighting Codes Adversely Affecting Building Security?
Source: FacilitiesNet/ Sean Ahrens and Ferdinand Martija

The evolution of energy codes over the past two decades has challenged engineers, architects, and lighting designers to reconsider traditional mindsets and technologies regarding lighting and lighting controls. Recently, lighting designs have centered on innovative approaches necessary to comply with increasingly stringent energy code requirements. If improperly planned, meeting new requirements of energy codes for lighting and lighting controls may have a detrimental effect on premise security. 
Full Article
 
DS: New study finds that yellow and amber lights are better for insect populations. If yellow and amber LEDs are better for insects, turtles, and humans, will all outdoor lighting eventually go back to yellow/amber? Seems possible.

Study Reveals Which Outdoor Lighting Minimizes Harm to Insects
Source: UCLA / David Colgan

Insects make our lives better — they are an important piece of the food chain and they pollinate the plants we use for food and backyard ambiance. But humans make those jobs more difficult, in part because the artificial light we use alters insects’ normal behavior.
Full Article
 
DS: Semiconductor shortage to be investigated by White House Executive Order

PS5, Xbox Series X Component Shortage To Be Investigated, President Biden Says
Source: Gamespot / Alessandro Barbosa

A semiconductor shortage brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to become detrimental to a wide range of industries, prompting President Biden to launch an investigation into how it can be resolved.
Full Article
 
DS: A NEEA study documents dropping incremental costs for luminaire level lighting controls [clever, clever-hybrid, and smart lighting fixtures]. 

2020 Luminaire Level Lighting Controls Incremental Cost Study
Source: NEEA 

Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLC), as defined by NEEA, are a type of networked lighting control (NLC) system with integrated sensors and controls in each luminaire that are wirelessly networked, enabling the luminaires within the system to communicate with each other and transmit data.

This report provides an estimate of the incremental cost of LLLC. Specifically, the research team estimated the additional equipment and labor costs incurred by installing LED luminaires (also referred to as LED fixtures) with integrated (embedded) sensors and controls as compared to LED luminaires with no controls.
Full Report

 
David Shiller
President
Lighting Solution Development
7889 River Hill Lane
Alexandria, PA 16611

cell: 412-897-6432
david@lightingsold.com

We provide business and product development services to the advanced lighting industry.
Visit us at www.lightingsold.com.
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