Lumileds launches LED lighting network
California-based high-brightness LED manufacturer Lumileds has launched a new program that it hopes will increase LED penetration in general lighting applications.
Called Luxeon Lighting NetworkT, the program is designed to give product specifiers in the lighting industry access to a pool of lighting manufacturers and other suppliers with certified expertise in LED luminaire manufacture.
Designers and architects will benefit from the assurance that they will receive luminaires that deliver the desired lighting effect and reliable, long-term performance, says Lumileds.
The company adds that the network will help lighting providers to fully exploit the LED lighting market, which is expected by some to be worth more the $5 billion in worldwide revenues by 2007.
“Lighting specifiers interested in LED illumination want to work within the existing industry infrastructure, but until now it has been difficult to identify vendors with reliable LED experience and knowledge,” said Lumileds’ market development manager Keith Scott.
The network will include two certification categories. The first is a program for manufacturers, which will designate that network members are qualified to design, develop and manufacture luminaires based on the company’s Luxeon LEDs, and to offer performance warranties.
The second category will be administered by Future Electronics, Lumileds’ exclusive distributor, and will certify system integrators and suppliers of optical, thermal, power supply and control components.
Under the program, members will gain early access to new technology and the use of technical resources at Lumileds and Future Electronics.
Solid state lighting specialist TIR Systems has signed up as a founding member of the network. Ed Sadowski, its VP of marketing and product development, said: “[The network] will help remove the biggest barrier for LED penetration into the general lighting market: the fact that lighting specifiers haven’t known where to turn to ensure that their vision will be executed properly when using solid-state lighting products.”
“This program…opens up new business opportunities for those companies like ours, who specialize in LED lighting,” he added.
