PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Cooper Lighting, an industry leader committed to delivering innovative products and driving transformational technology in the lighting industry, has announced the introduction of a comprehensive line of high-efficiency, high-quality recessed downlights offering value-driven solutions for the commercial construction market. The Halo Commercial line, which features some of the highest optical efficiencies in commercial recessed downlighting, includes the industry's first commercial ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent recessed downlights that meet the new 2012 stringent ENERGY STAR luminaire requirements effective April 1 (Eligibility Criteria Version 1.1).

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To help meet today's stringent energy code standards, the Halo Commercial line of 6-inch and 8-inch aperture downlights and 4-inch and 6-inch directional downlights provides some of the highest optical efficiencies, even yielding over 70 percent (on select open specular reflector trim models). This translates into savings by requiring fewer fixtures and lower watts per square foot, while still delivering a comfortable, well-illuminated space. The highly efficient offering accepts compact fluorescent, metal halide, tungsten halogen and integrated LED lamping options. The Halo Commercial line provides the industry with a new selection of four ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent choices to satisfy sustainable project goals.

The versatile and thoughtful design of the Halo Commercial line is intended to save time and money for the contractor, specifier and distributor. To do this, all products feature a fully assembled and pre-wired "boat-shaped" housing frame featuring Halo's patented pre-installed No Fuss Bar Hanger system. This innovative system allows for quick installation from above or below the ceiling for both new construction and remodeling projects, allowing for flexible and easy installation. The ready-to-install trims, which includes a full palette of open, lensed and wall wash trims, feature easy-to-use torsion springs that are aligned with Halo's universal 180-degree mounting positions. The simple two components ordering (housing and trim) for both installations make stocking and ordering easy.

Halo Commercial downlights are designed for use in a wide range of non-residential environments including hospitality, retail, healthcare, educational and commercial offices.

"Cooper Lighting is committed to supporting energy efficiency programs that improve the environment and help to save money," said Mark Eubanks, President, Cooper Lighting. "The ENERGY STAR programs bring confidence to lighting specifiers and building owners that they are selecting high-performing, energy-efficient, reliable products."

The new ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Luminaires (Light Fixtures) Eligibility Criteria Version 1.1, retains many components of the existing specifications, while applying the principle of technology neutrality to key performance criteria and raising the bar for several performance requirements.This approach allows manufacturers across various technologies to compete on a level playing field and ensures that consumers are provided with clear and consistent general information on energy efficient products. Because consumers shop for light fixtures rather than lighting technologies, it is important for the ENERGY STAR label to mean the same thing in terms of energy savings, regardless of technology. Products not meeting the new requirements will be removed from the qualified products list and can no longer be manufactured after March 31, 2012. Learn more at http://www.energystar.gov.

Cooper Lighting has made a significant investment in people, resources and technology to ensure the company provides first-class solutions to its customers' lighting challenges. The company offers a range of indoor and outdoor LED lighting products and controls, all of which are specifically designed to maximize energy and cost savings. For additional information on the Halo Commercial product offering, click here.

About Cooper Lighting

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Cooper Lighting Introduces the First Commercial ENERGY STAR® Qualified Compact Fluorescent Downlight Luminaires

GlacialLight F, No. 352, Sec. 2, Zhongshan Rd New Taipei City, , 235, R.O.C, Taiwan

4" 8.6 Watt High-Performance LED Down Light for Commercial and Residential Applications

Taipei, Taiwan - GlacialLight, a sub-division of the experienced technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc., is pleased to introduce the 4-inch LED down light - GL-DL04 - to the Capella Series. This high performance 8.6W LED down light acts as a bulb and fixture all-in-one that serves as a trouble-free replacement for outdated traditional lighting.

Designed for indoor commercial and residential usage such as malls, supermarkets, offices, and hallways, the GL-DL04 adds even more energy conscience solution options to GlacialLight's Capella Series. Using only 8.6W the GL-DL04 uses much less energy than traditional down lights. Further reducing lighting related cost, the GL-DL04 has a rated lifespan of 30,000 hours. This translates to a decade of evenly distributed light if used for eight hours a day.

The GL-DL04 is available in three color temperatures, 3000K, 4000K, and 6000K that emit 300, 320, and 400 lumens of light, respectively. All three models take an universal AC 100-240V power source, and have a power conversion efficiency of at least 75%.

The GL-DL04 allows for a perfect flush fit when installing, thanks to its slim, compact, and fashionable design. Additionally, like the rest of GlacialLight's Capella Series, the GL-DL04 contains no hazardous chemical such as mercury, and does not emit harmful UV or IR rays, making it more eco-friendly than traditional lighting fixtures.

Capella Series GL-DL04 Product Features

Excellent LED lighting products you can trust The design of LED lighting products is based on three core technologies including electrical design (LED drivers), mechanical design (cooling devices), and optical design (lamp holders), respectively performed by GlacialPower, GlacialTech, and GlacialLight in the GlacialTech family. With the three core technologies in hand, GlacialTech has integrated all the resources required for exceptional designs and manufactures excellent LED lighting products you can trust.

Advantages and benefits of LED lighting compared to traditional lighting

About GlacialLight GlacialTech Inc., is a diversified provider of cooling, power supply, and PC enclosure solutions for consumer and industrial applications. Having established strong relationships with LED semiconductor Co.'s, thermal, SMPS and mechanism technology leaders worldwide, GlacialTech leverages world-class engineering, efficient manufacturing and highest-quality materials to provide high brightness, low power LED lighting solutions for indoor, outdoor and other customized applications under the GlacialLight brand. Please visit the company homepage at http://www.GlacialLight.com.

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LED Downlight offers alternative to traditional lighting.

Las Vegas - Continuing to lead the industry with the state of the art solid-state lighting technology, WAC Lighting will unveil many new lighting designs at 2012 Lightfair International. WAC will exhibit its line at Booth 1614 in the Las Vegas Convention Center from May 9 through May 11. WAC's LED luminaires offer improved beauty, energy efficiency, sustainability, safety and performance. These efficient lighting solutions reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs while preserving long lasting durability.

WAC will unveil the new Paloma Wall Wash Series, which is designed for asymmetrical, uniform light distribution and varied optical control within a compact design. This sophisticated luminaire, which is available with LED or T5 fluorescent light sources, is ideal for illuminating art on walls or signage within luxury residences, hospitality, retail and institutional applications. The Paloma family received the 2010 Lightfair International Innovation Award in the category of Track, Cable and Rail Systems.

WAC will also introduce Tesla High Output LED Downlights, offered with 2 and 3.5-inch apertures and in a variety of styles and optics. The luminaires are available with spot (15 degree angle), narrow (26 degree angle), and flood (45 degree angle) beam spreads. These sophisticated luminaires can be dimmed to one percent with an electronic low voltage dimmer. Designed with a low profile trim that is constructed of die cast aluminum, the downlights are offered with a replaceable LED module and reflector. Designer finishes include Brushed Nickel, Copper Bronze and White.

Delivering a symmetrical wide angle beam spread and excellent color rendering for a variety of wall wash and other applications, the new LEDme Wash Light is a sophisticated, energy efficient 120-volt track luminaire that is compatible with WAC's L, H, J and J2 tracks and other popular track systems in the industry. The fixture dims down to one percent with an electronic low voltage dimmer. Its optimized thermal management system ensures a much longer life, making it an ideal replacement for outdated T5 fluorescent fixtures. The luminaire is crafted with an extruded aluminum body and an acrylic diffuser lens. Die-cast aluminum adapters are included with a locking knob to secure the fixture firmly to the track. The luminaire is available in black and white designer finishes.

Designed with architectural aesthetics and performance in mind, the new LEDme 120-volt Step and Wall Lights offer a sleek profile and enhanced functionality ideal for safety and style on indoor and outdoor stairs, walls and other pathways. The luminaires are offered in versatile, horizontal and circular scoop designs for a clean, seamless installation without any visible hardware and without the use of transformers or drivers. These luminaires, which are IP-66 rated and UL listed for wet locations, offer a wide beam angle for broad lighting distribution and deliver balanced, consistent lighting free of shadow and glare. Constructed with a cast aluminum body, the LEDme Step and Wall Lights can be dimmed and feature a replaceable LED module. Faceplates are available in white, bronze and brushed nickel designer finishes.

The new Straight Edge(TM) LED Strip Light is designed with a sleek low profile and ideal for retail and residential display applications within cabinets, and satisfying shallow depths. This luminaire uses low power consumption and strong lumen output, and beautifully illuminates small coves, niches, cabinets, shelves and bookcases. The fixture is available in white and its lengths range from 7 1/8 inches to 31 inches.

Integrating high performance and innovative technology in a professional grade low profile lighting solution, WAC Lighting has added the new 2700K Color Temperature version to the InvisiLED Pro Series of LED Tape Lights. The 2700K model offers a warm incandescent-like white light that can be dimmed and installs easily to illuminate fine wood cabinets and granite counter tops, as well as behind crown moldings. Delivering 200 lumens per foot while using just three watts, InvisiLED Pro ensures consistent illumination and color control. Field-cuttable for custom lengths, the versatile LED Tape is available in two-inch sections, as well as one-foot and five-foot sections and can be dimmed with an Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) Dimmer.

WAC Lighting manufactures LED luminaires, as well as many of the LED components including: proprietary owned LED Drivers, Transformers, LED Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assemblies, LED Modules, LED Reflectors for Optics, LED Connector Accessories, LED Wireless (RF) Dimming Controllers, Heat Sinks and Thermal Management components.

WAC will also offer a variety of other high performance and energy efficient architectural lighting solutions at LightFair.

The WAC Lighting Story WAC Lighting is a leading global manufacturer and innovative designer of lighting for Luxury Residential, Commercial, Hospitality, Institutional, Retail and Architectural applications, specializing in track, recessed, under cabinet, monorail and decorative lighting, with a new sustainable LED collection.

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WAC Lighting to Unveil New LED Lighting Designs at 2012 Lightfair International

High-Performance CR Series is Now Bigger, Better, Faster and Even More Affordable

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One year after introducing the revolutionary CR Series LED Troffer, Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) is expanding the CR Troffer family to address more applications and to eliminate the use of antiquated fluorescent technology in new or retrofit commercial and industrial settings. Cree is also announcing new pricing to drive even faster payback for building contractors, designers and owners.

In my 28 years in the electrical industry, I have never had as much excitement and success with a product line as I have with the Cree CR Series LED Troffers

The CR Series offers payback-friendly pricing and a no-compromise alternative to fluorescent lighting consuming nearly 50 percent less energy than a comparable linear fluorescent and delivering more than twice the lifetime. With an estimated payback of less than one year in a typical new office installation, Cree troffers provide superior performance and greater energy savings over fluorescent options.*

The new troffers now address three times the number of applications, including surface-mount, in-ceiling retrofits and suspended light engine luminaires. The popular CR24 and CR22 Troffers are available to ship directly from stock to accommodate high demand and jump-start end-user payback. Pricing for 0-10V dimming control to five-percent is significantly reduced, which means daylight harvesting has never been more affordable.

In my 28 years in the electrical industry, I have never had as much excitement and success with a product line as I have with the Cree CR Series LED Troffers, said David Fredd, manager lighting business development, Graybar. No other lighting manufacturer offers this level of energy saving performance and color quality Cree CR Series Troffers deliver a combination of performance, pricing and efficacy that is truly untouchable.

The CR Series has expanded three-fold by offering CR24 upgrade kits, a standalone light engine and SMK Series surface mount kits. The CR24 UPKIT provides a quick upgrade solution to replace existing, outdated fluorescent luminaires while leaving the ceiling intact. The light engine, CR-LE, is now available as a standalone luminaire and offers an economical alternative to replacing fluorescent strips in back-of-the-house lighting applications. The entire CR Series of troffers and light engines can now be installed in surface mount applications extending payback beyond T-bar ceilings. All of these solutions are built on the same great performance of the CR Troffer and are now available in the new 3000 Kelvin color temperature for retail and hospitality applications demanding beautiful, warm light.

Cree CR Troffers, CR24 UPKIT and CR-LE products are also now available with an integrated LED battery pack. The 1400 lumen battery pack eliminates the cumbersome task of rewiring a fixture just to change the battery. CR Troffers continue to outperform traditional lighting options and now deliver the widest range of lumen levels (2200, 3100, 4000 and 5000 lumens) for the popular CR24, CR14 and CR-LE products. The CR Series is powered by Cree TrueWhite Technology to deliver an unprecedented combination of 90 CRI and up to 110 lumens per watt.

Cree changed the indoor lighting industry one year ago when we introduced the first affordable LED troffer series, said David Elien, vice president, Cree lighting. The CR Series is now the industrys best-selling LED troffer. With this success, Cree announces major extensions and says thank you by making our CR Series even more affordable to drive faster payback.

The Cree CR Series is made in the United States, sold through Cree lighting sales channels and is currently shipping in volume. For additional information about the Cree CR Series, please visit http://www.CreeLEDLighting.com

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Cree Expands Industry’s Best-Selling CR LED Troffer Family

Judges select four Lithonia Lighting indoor ambient LED luminaires and one American Electric Lighting outdoor LED luminaire for Product Innovation Awards.

ATLANTA - March 29, 2012 - Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI; "Company"), a market leader in innovative energy-efficient lighting solutions, announced today a total of five indoor and outdoor LED lighting products, including three general ambient lighting products, one linear cove/wall wash and one area lighting product, have been selected to receive 2012 Solid-State Lighting Product Innovation Awards (PIA) from Architectural SSL magazine. The awards, representing a peer-recognized selection of quality LED products, identify and honor the market`s best LED and solid-state luminaires and fixtures.

The innovative and significant new Acuity Brands products selected by PIA include: Lithonia Lighting RTLED Relight indoor ambient LED series, Lithonia Lighting VTLED indoor ambient LED series, Lithonia Lighting STLED indoor ambient LED series, Lithonia Lighting Z Series LED striplight and American Electric Lighting Autobahn outdoor area LED lighting.

"We are truly honored that our innovative LED lighting solutions have been recognized and appreciated by the industry," said Rick Earlywine, Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President, Innovation & Technology. "As the recognized leader in the lighting industry, it is our responsibility to maximize the potential of digital technology - smart luminaires, robust controls and advanced toolsets - to create the best lighting solutions for every indoor and outdoor environment."

About Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands, Inc. is a North American market leader and one of the world`s leading providers of lighting solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications. With fiscal year 2011 net sales of $1.8 billion, Acuity Brands employs approximately 6,000 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with operations throughout North America, and in Europe and Asia. The company`s lighting solutions are sold under various brands, including Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting(TM), Winona Lighting, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Carandini, Antique Street Lamps(TM), Tersen, Sunoptics, Sensor Switch, Lighting Control & Design(TM), Synergy Lighting Controls, Pathway Connectivity(TM), Dark to Light, ROAM, RELOC Wiring Solutions, and Acculamp.

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Contact(s):

Jennifer Manocchio jennifer@sweeneypr.com, 910.772.1688

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Acuity Brands, Inc.: Multiple Acuity Brands LED Lighting Products Receive Prestigious Architectural SSL Product ...

The Fugu Quick Connect model includes a shade, socket set and xenon lamp, and an adapter that operates with WAC's line of low and line voltage track and rail systems.

The Fugu Canopy pendant includes a socket set, xenon lamp and the Quick Adjust Canopy that allows suspension cable to accommodate a variety of ceiling heights and applications.

Fugu uses low voltage xenon lamps as the light source and is 3 5/8 inches tall and 6 inches wide.

Designer hardware finishes include Brushed Nickel, Chrome and Dark Bronze.

The pendant is backed by a 5-year warranty.

The WAC Lighting Story

WAC Lighting is a leading global manufacturer and innovative designer of lighting for Luxury Residential, Commercial, Hospitality, Institutional, Retail and Architectural applications, specializing in track, recessed, under cabinet, monorail and decorative lighting, as well as new step and wall lights and a sustainable LED collection.

WAC has developed a stellar reputation for upscale decorative and task lighting lines backed by an extraordinary level of service, an unprecedented shipping record, and a Five Year Product Warranty. To reflect Green energy saving strategies, social progress and community involvement, WAC uses the brand standard "Responsible Lighting" that reflects the company's holistic approach to business, encompassing a deep commitment to responsible eco-friendly manufacturing, extensive research/development, energy saving technology, and altruism.

WAC offers a broad range of award-winning products: Low/Line Voltage Track and Rail Systems; LED and Low/Line Voltage Recessed Downlights; InvisiLED, LED tape systems for indoor and outdoor applications; Artisanal Glass Pendants and Wall Sconces; LEDme Fixtures and Pendants; Display Lighting; LED Step and Wall Lights; Organic LED fixtures; SMART Transformers; and specialty lighting. Nearly 90% of WAC Lighting products are fabricated, to a component level, within its wholly owned zero-landfill manufacturing campus.

WAC Lighting Global Headquarters and Eastern Distribution Center is located in Garden City, New York with Western Offices and Distribution Center in City of Industry, California. WAC may be reached at 1.800.526.2588 or by visiting the company's newly designed, state of the art website, http://www.waclighting.com.

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Fugu-Inspired Pendant Lighting Fixture utilizes xenon lamp.

Formosa Epitaxy to expand MOCVD capacity in 2012

Siu Han, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES[Tuesday 27 March 2012]

Taiwan-based LED chip maker Formosa Epitaxy, in view of increasing demand for LED chips used in backlight units of LCD TV panels and lighting products, will expand its production capacity through adding six MOCVD sets at its domestic factory in the third quarter of 2012 and 12 sets at the factory of Canyang Optoelectronics, its subsidiary maker in eastern China, beginning in April.

Formosa Epitaxy has obtained increasing orders for LED chips from South Korea-based vendors of LCD TVs and additional orders from China-based LCD TV vendors. Consequently, Formosa Epitaxy has had utilization of its production capacity rising from 80% in January 2012 to 90% currently.

In addition to backlights for TV panels, Formosa Epitaxy has obtained orders from a China-based vendor of LED lighting products. Because its domestic production capacity is not enough to meet increased demand, Formosa Epitaxy has shifted portion of orders to Canyang and therefore will expand the subsidiary's production capacity by adding 12 MOCVD sets to 37 in total.

For its LED chips of small, medium and large sizes for use in indoor lighting, Formosa Epitaxy has attained a level of 110-130lm/W for starting volume production. In addition, Formosa Epitaxy has been cooperating with the government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute to promote applications of LED lighting to agricultural production and fish farming.

Formosa Epitaxy gearing up for LED lighting applications Photo: Siu Han, Digitimes, March 2012

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Formosa Epitaxy to expand MOCVD capacity in 2012

UNION CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Finelite Inc., a leading manufacturer ofhigh performance lighting systems, takes home awards in the general ambient and decorative sconce categories with the High Performance Recessed (HPR-LED) collection receiving a special citation for Most Unique Product by Architectural SSL Magazines 2012 PIA judges. Winners were announced in this months issue of the magazine and featured products that show the greatest promise in the solid-state lighting arena. Companies will also be honored at LightFair International 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada this coming May.

Finelites HPR-LED collection received an award in the General Ambient category and a special citation for Most Unique Product noted for expanding lighting design and applications beyond the conventional.

Judges comments for HPR-LED: There are at least four strategies for LED troffers, and this is the only one using mid-power LEDs that are the least expensive and maybe the longest life. Plus theres no heat sink and a 10-year, worry-free warranty is very good.

The HPR-LED design uses mid-power LEDs driven at very low currents, yielding a luminaire that runs extremely cool and has a lifetime of over 100,000 hours (L90 lumen maintenance based on independent testing data). Finelite backs this performance with an industry best 10-year warranty. HPR-LED is the first complete indoor LED recessed troffer family (2x4, 2x2, 1x4, 1x2, 1x1, and wall wash). The collection has also received prestigious recognition in the Illuminating Engineering Societys (IES) 2012 Progress Technical Report.

Finelites sleek MURO LED luminaire wins in the decorative/wall wash category with seamless integration of LED T8 lamp technology and provides clean accent illumination for vertical surfaces. The MURO comes in three slim luminaire styles and multiple lengths.

Judges comments for MURO: Very nice design. Small with flair. Made in USA is very popular even in other countries.

About Architectural SSL Product Innovation Awards (PIA)

TheArchitectural SSL Product Innovation Awards (PIA) determine and honor the most innovative LED/ solid-state luminaires and fixtures on the market, while also recognizing the companies behind the components that make up these light sources.The PIA program also recognizes leaders in categories ranging from those conducting cutting-edge R+D, to those helping in the development of standards as well as those pushing to make solid-state lighting a truly sustainable technology. Construction Business Media, headquartered in Chicago, is publisher of Architectural Products, Illuminate and Architectural SSL magazines. The company also operates the ArchLED Conference, markets and partners in TheContinuingArchitect.com educational platform, and maintains websites and electronic extensions of its print publications.

About Finelite

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Finelite Wins Three Product Innovation Awards (PIA) from Architectural SSL Magazine

March 26, 2012 - Using 6 W total power, 120 V LED Pendants offer full 360 illumination for optimal appearance and downlighting. Design focuses on GU-24 based LED lamp and is engineered to properly manage heat at source, maximizing 30,000 hr LED life potential. Facilitating lightsource replacement, LED lamp features integrated driver. Cable, stem, and cord pendants, offered with range of Besa pendant families, each includes various handcrafted glass decors. Original Press release Besa Lighting Co., Inc. 6695 Taylor Rd. Blacklick, OH, 43004 USA Blacklick, Ohio --- Besa Lighting has now launched the new edition of 120V LED Pendants. Besa Lighting is a leading designer and manufacturer of decorative glass lighting.

Besa is committed to providing environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient lighting fixtures, while providing exquisite designs. The company's newly modified LED lightsource offers full 360 degree illumination, for optimal appearance and downlighting.

Besa's new 120V LED pendant design focuses on the GU-24 based LED lamp. New LED lamping features integrated internal driver allowing for easy lightsource replacement. It's also engineered to properly manage heat at the source, maximizing the long-life potential of the Light Emitting Diodes. The rated life is 30,000 hours. It uses a total power of only 6 Watts.

The company's new 120V LED lighting is now offered in cable, stem and cord pendants with a broad range of Besa pendant families. Each family includes a variety of attractive handcrafted glass decors.

The company is confident that their latest alternative lightsource is a perfect fit for the upscale yet practical attitude of their "Sensibly Contemporary" corporate premise.

About Besa Lighting Co., Inc.

Besa Lighting designs and manufactures decorative lighting solutions that provide residential and commercial customers a broad range of choices. Utilizing fine handcrafted glass, Besa Lighting offers a myriad of unique luminaire styles, colors, metal finishes and lamping options.

Besa Lighting's product line includes: 12V and 120V Pendants; Monorail System; Flush-Mount Ceiling Lights; and Wall Sconces for indoor, outdoor and ADA-compliant applications.

Besa Lighting Co., Inc. is located at 6695 Taylor Road, Blacklick, OH 43004. Tel. 800-446-2372, Fax 614-475-7048 Website: http://www.besalighting.com. Email: contact@besalighting.com.

Alloys easily magnetized/demagnetized for specialized applications requiring high permeability, low losses, low residual magnetism - electro-magnetic shielding, transformer laminations/cores, transducers, chokes, relays, solenoids/oscillators, etc.

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LED Pendant Lighting is offered in multiple variations.

China LED lighting subsidy program sees 110 firms compete for 20 slots

Siu Han, Taipei; Alex Wolfgram, DIGITIMES[Monday 26 March 2012]

China announced an LED lighting subsidiary program at the end of February. The list of firms that are eligible has yet to be announced but industry sources noted that there are about 110 firms bidding for 20 slots, including firms such as Philips, Osram, Panasonic and Toshiba. There were few bids by Taiwan LED firms because many of them said that the announcement to apply was presented too late. They also said the rules for applying were not clear and that the guidelines were unclear.

The subsidy was developed by China's Development and Reform Commission along with the Ministry of Finance and is the first subsidy ever to be given from China's central government to promote LED products. During the second half of 2011, the LED industry saw demand slump, which caused many industries to shut down. This subsidy program is receiving much attention from industries as a result and is seen as a way to revive China's LED industry.

Industry sources said the subsidy will be divided into four categories - indoor lighting LED lamps, reflective self-ballasted LED lights, LED street lamps and outdoor lighting, and LED tunnel lights. Each category will be given five slots for firms and there will be an immense amount of competition. Chinese firms admit that the competition for the bidding is fierce even though they do not know the amount of the subsidies. However, strategic significance will be greater than actual profit gains, especially for public LED industries in China.

Bidding industries all want to win, especially the ones that are moving from the traditional lighting industry into the LED one. Companies such as Yaming does not care about costs in their pricing strategies and plan to thrust into as many LED manufacturers as possible. Sources say that the prices of products with the same type of specifications are very different. For example, the high-end price of a 9,000 lm LED street lamp can run as much as CNY9,200 with a low-end cost of CNY920. As for the 9,000 lm LED tunnel lighting, high-end prices run CNY4,000 with a low-end price of CNY869.

What's worth noting is that although Taiwan LED firms are eager to obtain a part of China's LED lighting subsidy program, the actual amount of Taiwan participants that applied were not as much as expected. Delta Electronics is one of the few Taiwan-based companies participating, but Everlight and Liteon have chosen to stay on the sidelines. Taiwan LED firms said privately that the subsidy was announced in less than a month's time and that they were worried about "hidden rules" behind the scenes.

LED firms said that even though international companies were competing for the bid, it is expected that the vast majority of subsidies will be given to Chinese firms. Although Taiwan's LED firms in large did not participate in the bidding, they will see indirect advantages of the money given to Chinese firms due to Taiwan's high-grade technology products that are within the supply chain of LED products.

Delta Electronics is one of few Taiwan-based firms competing for China's LED subsidies. Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes, March 2012

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China LED lighting subsidy program sees 110 firms compete for 20 slots