THE MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIGHTING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, NALMCO®
JULY 2022
VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 1
INTRODUCING
The NEW LOOK OF LM&M
1
Networked Lighting Controls Provide Significant Energy Savings Energy Savings of 63% on average* Maintenance Savings reducing total install time with fewer devices, no new wires and app-based commissioning to streamline start-ups Energy Measurement and Comprehensive Reporting Interoperability across devices and systems Acuity Brands® offers a network control solution for your entire building portfolio giving you a strategic advantage to win business in today’s market, while making your bottom line more profitable. We offer lighting solutions for every area of a facility. Networked lighting controls from Acuity Brands is your one stop solution. Find out more today! nlight.acuitybrands.com/nlight-air
*Source: Lighting Controls Association, “DLC Estimates Energy Savings from Networked Lighting Controls”
Advanced lighting controls technology, service and support from a single expert source. ©2022 Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. All rights reserved.
2
versaDim RF Gen 2 repeater technology, for enhanced range
RF / 0-10V Adaptor The RF / 0-10V Adaptor is dual channel for dimming & color tuning. It enables RF control of 0-10V fixtures, retrofit kits, Type C TLEDs, and LED bar kits.
Remote Controlled TLEDs! 4′ T8, 12W, Type B, double-ended input
www.EspenTech.com Info@EspenTech.com • 866.933.7736
3
www.ledvanceUS.com
SYLVANIA Outdoor Luminaires Light your way to safety and savings SYLVANIA UltraLED™ CCT Selectable Wall Packs, UltraLED Mini Wall Packs and the ValueLED™ Area Light are environmentally preferable LED alternatives to conventional luminaires. Available in several wattage/lumen packages, these outdoor luminaires offer up to 74% energy savings. Ideal for building exteriors, outdoor corridors, walkways, stairwells and parking lots. All backed by a 5-year warranty.
LEDVANCEUS.COM 4
© 2022 LEDVANCE LLC Licensee of product trademark SYLVANIA in general lighting
SYLVANIA LED Lamps and Fixtures Light the Way for Portland Transit Services Providing bus, light rail, and commuter rail transit services to the Portland, OR metro area since 1969, the TriMet transit system has been connecting people with their community, easing traffic congestion, reducing air pollution, and enhancing lifestyles in and around Portland for over half a century. Serving between 1-2 million riders weekly, the leading transit system has also long been on the forefront of sustainability, as demonstrated by such progressive initiatives as its fleet of ‘MAX’ electric buses fully powered by renewable energy, as well as its solar panel installations, eco-track project, and investment in the emerging field of regenerative braking. Thousands of older HID and fluorescent lamps illuminated the many bus and rail garages, yards, and parking lots where TriMet bus and rail vehicles came for repairs, maintenance, engine rebuilds, and body work, and where drivers came to receive their assignments. “We underwent an annual inspection in 2020 at our central bus yard and were informed that we needed to enhance the fasteners in our fixtures to make them code-compliant,” shared Karen Powell, TriMet’s Director of Facilities Management. “In addition to creating dark spots in our space, our lights were difficult to access and maintain, requiring the scheduling of a bucket truck and the rearrangement of transportation operations. We realized it made no sense to fix those aging fixtures,” she said. “We knew that an upgrade to safe, high-quality, and energy-efficient new LED lighting technology would benefit our employees, passengers, and community members alike.”
The $2.4 million upgrade project kicked off September 2020, covered 585,000 square feet of TriMet space, and involved the installation of approximately 10,000 LED products, with around 70% of them being SYLVANIA LED lamps and fixtures from LEDVANCE. The new lighting design involved everything from SYLVANIA LED retrofits strip kits to exterior area lights, wall packs, wide body vapor tights, and linear high bay systems in TriMet’s wash bay and fuel house. “The safety and comfort of our employees is paramount and our new SYLVANIA LED products have delivered everything from improved productivity and safety to reduced energy consumption and better-quality lighting – all of which have truly transformed our space. Our team has commented on how the new lighting has made them feel even more positive in their workspaces. We have also seen a reduction in trespassing incidents due to the improved lighting,” TriMet’s Powell confirmed.
Visit LEDVANCEUS.COM to learn more.
5
CONTRIBUTORS LEIF ELGETHUN Leif Elgethun is a serial entrepreneur with fifteen years of full stack clean energy experience and deep market expertise in commercial and industrial building energy retrofits. He has founded and led five companies to profitablity including two exits. A licensed Professional Engineer and LEED accredited professional, he has three engineering and science bachelor degrees and a Masters in engineering. When he isn't busy building Retrolux or helping improve his community, Leif can often be found biking, running, mountaineering, skiing, or rafting up and down mountains across the country.
Editor and Publisher Randy Reid
VP, Advertising Sales Cliff Smith 917.705.3439
Production and Design Coordinator Angie Hullfish
MARC HODGES
Meet our Editor
RANDY REID Randy Reid began his career in 1983 with GE Lighting and has helped shape the lighting market over the past four decades. He served as President of the Illuminating Engineering Society in 2002-2003 and was chairman for the IES Annual Conference in 2010. Randy received the IES President’s Award in 2011 and again in 2020. In 1999, he founded the EdisonReport where he serves as the Editor and Publisher today. In February of 2019, Randy was appointed the Executive Director of the National Lighting Bureau, a non-profit organization dedicated to high-benefit lighting. In 2020, Randy launched designing lighting (dl), a digital magazine serving as a new voice for the lighting design community. In addition, Randy owns LumEfficient, a heavy industrial lighting company. Randy is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Alabama and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee.
6
Art Direction Seraphine Morris Staff Writers Parker Allen Katie Smith Jacob Wright
Lighting Management & Maintenance (LM&M) publishes information for the benefit of its members and readers. The sponsor (NALMCO), publisher and editor of LM&M cannot be held liable for changes, revision or inaccuracies contained in the material published. For detailed information on the products, programs, services or policies covered, it is recommended readers contact the appropriate person, company agency of industry group. LM&M is published by EdisonReport (ISSN pending). Statements and opinions expressed in articles and editorials in LM&M are the expressions of contributors and do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the EdisonReport. Advertisements appearing in the publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
JULY 2022
THE MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIGHTING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, NALMCO®
Marc Hodges is the Director of Solution Sales/ Lighting for Sonepar USA. Marc works with all 14 Sonepar USA Operating Companies (OpCo) maximizing the capabilities and expertise Sonepar offers to its customers. Marc received his BA and MBA from the University of Mississippi and started his lighting career in Lyon, France. He then held various positions with Cooper Electric Supply in New York City. Marc also worked for Southern California Illumination (SCI) in Los Angeles in Specification Sales and as a lighting specialist for Irby Electric in Nashville, working in the renovation market and focusing on industrial customers. Marc lives in Franklin, TN with his wife and 3 daughters. He enjoys watching soccer, reading books and playing golf.
VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 1
INTRODUCING
The NEW LOOK OF LM&M
1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Scott W. Mendelsohn, CLMC
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Chris Frank, CLMC, CLEP
VICE PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT ELECT/ TREASURER Randy Allen, CALT
VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Baker, CLMC, CLCP,CLEP
Rob Wilson, CLMC, LC, LEED AP
Monica Kristo, CALT, CLMC, CLEP
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
Christina Calaway, CLMC, CLEP
David R. Errigo, CLMC
Ron Hughes
EX-OFFICIO
Erik J. Ennen, CLMC,CLCP, CLEP
7
The magazine of the International Association of Lighting Management Companies, NALMCO®
Volume 50, Issue 1 ■ July 2022
Message from the President
10
From the Editor
12
Think the LED Transition Is Over? It’s Only Begun.
14
By Marc Hodges 5 Tips for Profiting from the Renovation Market
Before and After: A College Upgrade where Quality of Light is More Important than Energy Saved
16
By Randy Reid with Katie Smith Lenoir Rhyne University receives a massive, campus-wide upgrade to its lighting.
Viva Light Vegas! By Leif Elgethun Key Takeaways from LightFair 2022 in Las Vegas
20
What’s New
24
Embodied Carbon, An Emerging Trend
26
By Park Allen
Challenges Facing the Lighting Maintenance Contractor: What To Consider
28
By Jacob Wright
8
Conference News: 69th NALMCO Annual Convention and Trade Show
30
New Certificates and Members
34
Ad Index
35
Up Close
36
PHOTO CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK - ZETHA_WORK
AMERLUX LIGHTS THE WORLD.
Now, we connect it. Make lighting, HVAC, security and efficiency come together. Throughout a space, a floor, even a building. Influence how occupants feel. Automate warmth and brilliance in a connected world. Under one roof, one network, one trusted solution. Learn more about our IoT-powered lighting and building automation control capabilities.
To learn more, visit Bestlight.amerlux.com/building-automation Be seen in the best light.
9
President's
MESSAGE
Dear L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / P R E S I D E N T ' S M E S S A G E
NALMCO Members,
Welcome to the all-new LM&M Magazine! We’re thrilled to be able to bring you this new and exciting publication, along with the opportunity it gives us to help expose the NALMCO organization to a broader audience. It was approximately one year ago this month that I and a few others sat down with Randy Reid to hear his ideas on how he could offer his guidance and assistance with this magazine. It took a collaborative team approach between Randy Reid, the NALMCO Board of Directors and the Communication Committee to put this venture together, and I’m ecstatic to see this finally come to fruition. A special thanks goes out to the Communication Committee Chairman and NALMCO VP Rob Wilson, along with co-chair Lisa Orloff. This would not have happened without them.
SCOTT MENDELSOHN, CLMC
In just over 2 months, we’ll have the opportunity to gather and connect with one another at the 69th Annual NALMCO Conference. This year’s conference is taking place October 16th-19th at the Renaissance Phoenix Hotel located in Glendale, Arizona. The Program Committee Chairman and NALMCO VP Monica Kristo is working diligently with her committee on putting together a stellar agenda. Currently, they have several speakers and panels lined up which will cover topics ranging from the current state of the US economy to EV charging to labor and material supply chain issues. Of course, this NALMCO event will also include several fun and exciting networking events, one of which will take us off property. The full schedule can be found here. Associate Members are encouraged to sign up today to reserve their booth space and lock in additional sponsorship opportunities, as they are going fast! General Registration will open shortly – make sure to keep an eye out for an email notification once registration opens. As you may be aware, earlier this year NALMCO’s Certification Committee completed a full revision of the renowned CLMC, which now focuses more on current and relevant technologies such as LEDs and controls. The new CLMC was officially launched at the Spring Seminar, and we will be offering an inperson CLMC content review at the Annual NALMCO Conference in Arizona. Additional information can be found here. The Certification Committee and Chairman and NALMCO VP Brian Baker are currently working on revisions and updates to several other NALMCO certifications, including the CALT and CSLT. Brian’s committee is working alongside several Associate Members to not only refresh the content but also offer more remote testing and training, thus making these certifications more accessible to our members. I’d like to thank each of you for reading this issue; I’m confident you’ll find the content educational and relevant. Wishing the very best to you and your families.
Sincerely,
10
Scott
What happens when two industry innovators join forces? We’re ready to show you. GE Current, a Daintree company, and Hubbell Lighting have come together to form Current — your single source for reliable advanced lighting and intelligent controls. As Current, we’ll deliver the solutions you need and the value you seek — with greater efficiency and unrivaled customer service. Now that’s a powerful combination.
Let’s launch this new era together. currentlighting.com
Always On. 11
ROM THE EDITO
FROM THE EDITOR
“The magazine is supposed to be about lighting, said Cliff Smith,” our VP of Advertising Sales, “Is it appropriate to add an EV Charger to the What’s New column?” This was a question that our team discussed internally all week.
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / F R O M T H E E D I T O R
Our What’s New column is where new products, or products that we think our audience will find interesting, are showcased. As we re-launch this historic and influential magazine we want to capitalize on its celebrated reputation and yet break out of the traditional mode…. a bit. For example, several contractors told me of installing electronic vehicle chargers and wish to learn about this emerging source of revenue.
As a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, I am full of military analogies so please bear with me. We want the magazine to lean out of the foxhole a bit. We will also write about non-traditional products and services important to your bottom line.
LM&M is published digitally every other month. You will find standard columns that you expect such as the President’s Message as well as this From the Editor column, but you will also see coverage such as Up Close—where we profile a prominent NALMCO member such as this month’s discussion with Norma Frank. Up Close also features up-and-coming members that you may not know. Occasionally we will feature non-NALMCO members. Before and After focuses on retrofit projects. In this month’s issue, we write about Lenoir Rhyne University. While there was interest in energy savings, the primary goal of this retrofit was to improve aesthetics, security, safety, and light levels.
Every issue also includes content from an electrical distributor. In this inaugural issue, Marc Hodges of Sonepar shares his perspective with “Think the LED Transition Is Over? It’s Only Begun", and he offers five profit-making tips in the renovation market. We will work closely with NALMCO members but will offer voice to experts that are not yet members.
LM&M is for you who work in the lighting management and maintenance business. If there are subjects that are important, let us know and we will cover them. If there are controversial issues facing the industry, we are here to put a spotlight on those problems. If you have discovered a best practice you want to share, we will tell the industry. Our door is always open. Please contact me at editor@nalmco.org.
This first issue is a work-in-progress, and we seek your feedback. We need your help to build LM&M back to the world-class platform that NALMCO deserves.
12
RETROFIT TO BUDGET
ROM THE EDITO
Lighting That is Fast, Customized, and Wins on Cost. US Factory I BAA Compliant I Able to Handle Unique Needs I Specialists in Small and Large Retrofit Rollouts
Contact Me for Our Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide mkline@saylite.com
www.saylite.com I 972-247-3171
If you are looking for retrofitting expertise, you’ve come to the right place. Saylite offers a comprehensive assortment of LED retrofit products and we package and ship kits in ways that reduce time for storage, unpacking and installing, even pre-wiring kits in the factory to minimize time in the field. We also make customconfigured kits in a way that eliminates 15% of unnecessary costs associated with the “universal” kits from our competitors. 13 Call me, Missie Kline, at 330-604-2748.
IT’S ONLY BEGUN.
Think the LED Transition is Over?
5
Tips for Profiting from the Renovation Market By Marc Hodges Director Solutions - Lighting at Sonepar USA
Over the past decade, LED technology has transformed our industry. Energy-efficiency projects have swept the nation at an astounding pace, but the transition is far from over. Less than half of the lights in the US have been converted to LED technology, and the percentage of smart controls guiding those lights is still in the single digits. Trends in sustainability and energy efficiency are guiding the market on a steep upward curve in our favor. Here are five tips for generating and taking advantage of untapped opportunities in the renovation market.
USE BUILT-IN FLEXIBLE AND SMART TECHNOLOGY.
1
The adoption of LED technology has opened the door for smart controls that dramatically increase lighting efficiency. In the renovation market, using products that incorporate flexibility also helps you avoid mistakes and wasted time, while giving you room to respond quickly to changing customer needs.
14
platform allows the customer to have full visibility of proposals and active projects. At Sonepar, we partner with SnapCount to give customers a comprehensive solution they can access via laptop or tablet. An easy-to-use dashboard provides an overview of the project and brings home the impact you’re making for your customer. For example, we used this technology for a retrofit project with an industrial customer that has 40 locations across the U.S. The customer was able to view progress at individual locations as well as data insights around their overall sustainability gains and energy savings. Partnering with a distributor that has access to these tools can be an effective way to serve your customer.
MAXIMIZE PROJECT EFFICIENCY WITH SYSTEMATIC PLANNING AND DATA.
Encourage customers to take advantage of smart technology as well. I always recommend having smart sensors integrated into lighting fixtures. Distributors can make this easy by pre-installing the sensor at the counter; all you have to do in the field is twist to turn it on. Not sure they’ll be interested? Educate customers on the benefits, such as the amount of energy they’ll save and how automation will ease their day-to-day use of the lighting system. Emphasize how a solid controls system can offer flexibility and convenience.
PROACTIVELY GENERATE DEMAND FOR LED AND SMART LIGHTING.
2
Don’t wait to be asked about these products. This is a critical tip for success in the renovation market! The vast majority of opportunities for renovation installations involve small- to medium-sized businesses. The owners of these traditional light systems are likely unaware of the investment benefits of converting to a more energy-efficient system. By bringing the information to them proactively, you can create sales opportunities.
The best way to keep a strong pipeline of opportunities is to have an aggressive, multi-faceted demand generation strategy. Work systematically and focus your efforts where they’ll be most effective by keeping the opportunities in your pipeline sorted into categories like prospect, proposed, won, lost and completed.
3
Distributors can be especially strong partners when it comes to demand generation. An account manager at your local Sonepar distributor can set a cadence of targets and monthly goals for new opportunities in your market.
SHOW THE IMPACT OF YOUR LIGHTING PROJECTS VIA A DIGITAL PLATFORM.
When you get an opportunity to explore renovation opportunities with a customer, make sure you have the proper digital tools to showcase your offering. Showing your solution on a digital
4
All successful projects start with a solid plan. By standardizing as much as possible and laying out a long-term game plan, you can avoid unnecessary delays and inefficiency. You should always provide detailed design information to the customer to validate the solution. Photometric calculations can assure the customer that light levels will be adequate. Controls layouts can help you confirm that your controls system will meet, or even exceed, code.
If you work with a distributor, you can also ensure ahead of time that local branches have the correct amount of inventory for your projects. This step is critical if you want to get to work on an installation as soon as you win a big project.
At Sonepar, we also provide contractors access to our Digital Job Center, which offers real-time project information like lead times, shipment tracking, fixtures being stored at the warehouse for you, fixtures that have been delivered, a record of all communication between you and Sonepar about a particular job, and technical information on the products. All that – in just a few clicks. Systematic information organized by job makes a world of a difference in efficiency and guarantees that you never have to go scrolling through a 50-message email chain looking for information on your order.
DEVELOP STRONG PARTNERSHIPS.
5
Strong local partnerships in the target area of your renovation efforts make a big difference in your project’s success. If you are in an area that has utility incentives, develop a relationship with the local account managers of that program. Utility incentives can help a project make financial sense and underline the difference between an expense – and a smart investment.
T H I N K T H E L E D T R A N S I T I O N I S O V E R ? / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
For example, if you offer your customers flat panels with the ability to field-select lumen output and color temperature, both you and the customer benefit from that flexibility. Once installed, if the customer decides the lighting looks warmer or cooler than they were expecting, you can make a quick and easy adjustment.
At one of our Sonepar companies, Codale, we were able to use utility incentives at a local candy factory to upgrade the LED high-bay fixtures and include a smart sensor on each fixture. Thanks to the sensors, the customer had the flexibility to set schedules for when the lights would be on and could dim them when not in use in specific areas.
Working closely with your local distributor or agent also allows you to benefit from the relationships these groups have with lighting and controls vendors. Particularly in a difficult supply chain climate, it’s important to work with a distributor who has strong relationships with manufacturers that have been in the lighting industry for a long time. Those manufacturers will have an advanced supply chain strategy to keep more products available to you and ready to install. Partnerships with local industry players also give you more leverage on any post-project issues that may arise, such as defective or damaged fixtures. With these five tips, you’re ready to get out there and generate big wins in the renovation market. ■
15
BEFORE AND AFTER
QUALITY OF LIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ENERGY SAVED
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / B E F O R E A N D A F T E R
A COLLEGE UPGRADE WHERE
16
By Randy Reid with Katie Smith
I talked with owner Bill Hurd, Malcolm Weeks, Account Manager, David Fusco, Designer, and Rob Williams, Project Manager. I was highly impressed to learn that LightServe has around 115 employees, a national footprint, and different channels within their company. A few of those channels include distribution, project, and managing services. The non-union company itself began in 2001 but was purchased by Bill and others in 2013. They work closely with Cooper Lighting Solutions, and confidently say that Cooper Lighting is their number one vendor. Bill states, “We try to be as self-sufficient as possible, but we can always count on Cooper for final touches.” Lenoir Rhyne University, located in Hickory, North Carolina, needed completely new lighting around the campus. While there was interest in energy savings, the primary focus was based on aesthetics, security and safety, and light levels. Founded in
1891 it had been many decades since the last lighting updates and LightServe stumbled into quite a few interesting situations. Malcolm Weeks, shared, “The facilities are so old, we ran into everything imaginable.” Phase 1 began with the residence halls, where they removed first generation LED corncob screw-in lights as well as linear lighting, ranging from T8s to T12s, and replaced them with Cooper decorative LED fixtures and volumetric fixtures. The decorative linear pendants were important in this project. Because of the location of the residence halls, it was essential to add an extra visual appeal to the university campus. Since the team was handling lighting from older facilities, they were replacing 2x4 troffers and 1x4 fluorescent strips. Some of those fluorescent fixtures had been mixed with LED tubes. LightServe used volumetric fixtures to complement the linear pendants in the Minges Science Building that had first generation LED tubes, and this helped to create a unified look on campus.
B E F O R E A N D A F T E R / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
Lenoir Rhyne University, located in Hickory, North Carolina, needed completely new lighting around the campus. While there was interest in energy savings, the primary focus was based on aesthetics, security and safety, and light levels.
College campuses across the country struggle with proper lighting, creating concerns about student and faculty safety, health, and campus upkeep. When I heard about LightServe’s Minges Science Building 11,000-piece (and more in the works) fixture replacement for Lenoir Rhyne University, I needed to learn more about what they did to elevate this campus.
Installation for phase 1 took about six months–the team began and then the pandemic hit. Since LightServe was working on a college campus, access was limited greatly due to working in classrooms and living spaces. Thankfully the team was working on forecast
17
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / B E F O R E A N D A F T E R
BEFORE AND AFTER
perspectives with Cooper Lighting, and was able to beat supply chain issues most of the time. The team is now in the final month of phase 2, and phase 3 is getting ready to begin. This project has a 50% energy reduction systemwide. While the original wattage was anywhere from 112 watts with 4 lamp T8, to 64 watts, they now range from 35-50 watts after the retrofit. In the classrooms, the design dropped to 37-watt fixtures and residential halls increased their light levels from 1 to 2 footcandles to 4 or 5. They adjusted the lighting on a day-to-day basis to ensure the space’s needs were met. Color temperature was a standard 4000 K throughout, but 3500K in a few areas. The color rendering index was approximately 85+. The Cromer Center is an older building and a central point where students meet. The building has plaster ceilings and odd-shaped openings that the team didn’t want to damage so they worked with Cooper to adjust the fixtures to meet the locations of the existing wiring. Another unique area is the stadium, which was previously lit with 1000-watt metal halide luminaires. The team ensured that the LED lights brought emphasis to the field with new poles, safety lighting, and lighting the practice field
18
behind the stadium. They increased the light level from approximately 30 footcandles to nearly 100 footcandles on the field. The team noticed that a significant amount of exterior fixtures lacked proper upkeep and maintenance. There were wall-packs upwards of 40 feet in the air, with corn cob lights. Malcolm exclaimed “No wonder they have no light.” The team worked directly with the police department on campus while removing the poorly designed corncob retrofits and replacing them with suitable lights for the 40-foot height. While aesthetics was a key in designing the lighting for the campus, safety was too. While this extensive project is coming near a close, Malcolm explained that they have used anywhere between 11,000 and 12,000 lights on just Phase 1 and 2, in approximately 50 different skus. The Cooper Lighting fixtures for this project range from downlights, recessed 2x4 and 2x2, pendant mount, exterior floodlights, decorative, security, walkways, and more. If you ever find yourself near Lenoir Rhyne, I highly recommend taking the time to walk through their campus and take notice of the stunning lighting that LightServe has installed. ■
ESI Surface & Air Disinfection Unit HEPA Filter
Internal Lamp Indicator Occupancy Sensor
American-made hybrid UVC air and surface technology provides safe and effective automated pathogen disinfection. UVC air purifier provides quiet air cleaning during occupancy while whole room UVC lighting provides comprehensive airborne and surface level treatments during periods of vacancy. Designed for offices, schools, universities, retail applications, and other commercial spaces.
Activated Carbon Filter
Direct UVC Lamps
Partnership
Learn More
Custom Solutions for Every Application
*ESI LED Kit Shown for Direct / Indirect Pendant Fixture
ESILIGHTING.COM
Buy American Act Compliant
19
ESI Product Guide
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / V I VA L I G H T V E G A S
VIVA LIGHT VEGAS!
P H OTO C R E D I T : L I G H T FA I R FA C E B O O K
20
By Leif Elgethun
It really felt like more quality and less quantity at LightFair this year, which was awesome." — Ron Hughes
LightFair is anything but boring, and this year proved no different, with a major ramp up in exhibitors, attendees, and events compared to NYC last fall. NALMCO members shared their top takeaways from the show for folks that couldn’t make it this year. The big themes were:
1.
A big increase in size from the fall show in NYC
2. Controls everywhere 3. An expansion of EV charging stations and solar powered lighting products 4. DLC 5.1 impacts and products 5. Inclusiveness and diversity in the lighting industry
The first takeaway was the increase in both size and, more importantly, quality in this show. Cary Mendelsohn, Imperial Lighting, explained, “I found it to be beneficial, much more so than the October 2021 LightFair in NYC. There were many more exhibitors than before and many more attendees. As in the past, not all exhibits are applicable to NALMCO members, but there were enough to make it worthwhile. Overall, I found LightFair to be well worth my time and expense.” Ron Hughes, Lighting Resources, said, “It was fulfilling to donate time volunteering in the NALMCO booth. It gave me opportunity to catch up with old friends and invite new people to join and take advantage of our Certification programs. My many meetings netted positive results relating to upcoming projects for my business. It really felt like more quality and less quantity at LightFair this year, which was awesome.”
V I VA L I G H T V E G A S / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
LightFair returned to Las Vegas on June 19-23 with their full conference and trade show. LightFair showed why it’s the premier event for our industry, offering plenty of formal educational classes, informal training and learning opportunities, 350 vendors showing off their products, evening social events ranging from small and intimate to Vegas-sized, and all-you-can-eat networking. NALMCO members showed up in force, and, once again, NALMCO exhibited to share the many benefits of NALMCO membership and certifications with the lighting industry.
The second big takeaway? The ubiquity of controls. It seemed like there were more control options than slot machines. There were integrated lighting control systems for many of the lighting manufacturers, third party lighting control systems, and increasingly general control and IoT systems. Jason Brown, UtilityGenius, explained, “More and more unique controls technologies are coming out, and the utilities continue to seek opportunities with the DLC to promote more permanent kWh-reducing controls installations. They also are getting more aggressive with their rebates in an effort to drive higher adoption rates. This is a great opportunity for NALMCO members to push hard on selling and installing controls with LED retrofits, as it's so much more challenging to sell and install them alone.” The third big takeaway was the major expansion of EV charging solutions and solar lighting solutions. Jason Brown stated, “Last year we saw this trend
21
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / V I VA L I G H T V E G A S
begin, and it has only accelerated since then. Many lighting manufacturers are making the leap to add electric vehicle charging stations to their offerings. UtilityGenius has accelerated our tracking of the utility rebates available for EV charging, and we continue to see incentives grow across the country. It’s a good time to consider adding EV charging stations to your lighting retrofits and checking with NALMCO vendors to see if they have an offering.” The fourth takeaway was the DLC’s new 5.1 standard and its effect on manufacturers and utility rebate programs. Jason went on to say, “Manufacturers are adjusting to the change, and most seemed to have a game plan for ensuring their products stay listed. Many products won’t meet the new standard and may be delisted on June 30th and not available for rebates. However, many utilities are offering grace periods so that these products remain rebate-eligible, and manufacturers have more time for next steps.” We recommend that NALMCO members stay on top of this so that your projects and incentives go on without a hitch. The final takeaway was the continued focus on
22
increasing inclusiveness and diversity in the lighting industry. Jason explained, “Organizations like Women in Lighting, Equity in Lighting, WILD (Women in Lighting + Design) and NACLIQ (North American Coalition of Lighting Industry Queers) exhibited and hosted networking and educational events. Members shared their experience and the importance of having inclusive and diverse identities in lighting. As we look towards an increasingly diverse future, amplifying these voices in the lighting industry is something that we can all learn from.” A final bonus takeaway is the value gained through attending and participating in LightFair every year. Sharing real world insights, learning about the latest and greatest technologies, and enjoying conversations with new and old friends is the lasting takeaway of LightFair and NALMCO. It felt great to be surrounded by friends under the glimmer of Las Vegas, pushing our industry forward together. From our collective point of view, the lighting industry’s future has never been brighter, and that’s saying a lot after being in Las Vegas. Let’s make LightFair 2023 in NYC the best one yet! ■
23
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / W H AT ' S N E W
WHAT'S NEW
The Philips CorePro Glass LED HID replacement lamp delivers energyefficient, cost-effective illumination for any indoor or outdoor application. It enables the user to bypass the ballast and seamlessly transition to LED without sacrificing the aesthetic of conventional HID lamps. Built with HighPower LED filament technology, the lamp offers uniformity and high-quality light up to 6000 lumens per watt.
Energy Focus has launched its EnFocus™ which offers human-centric lighting with a simple retrofit installation without the need for rewiring for control capabilities. Offers a sustainable and affordable lighting control with LED lamps instead of replacing the whole fixture. The EnFocusTM boasts of 10-stage dimming and color tuning capabilities with an L70>60,000 hours.
The Orion Ison is a UV-C device that sanitizes air, suppressing various airborne viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi. It uses a Britex™ coating to suppress the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi on the surface and interior of the device. It is available in a smooth white ceiling tile, common fissured pattern print ceiling tile, custom tile print to match existing, company logo options or painted aluminum panel
Introducing PRIZM Lighting’s Senik Reflekt, the newest innovation for outdoor lighting design. The Senik Reflekt is designed for field customization with up to three units combined and made adjustable through a unique mounting system. Containing six unique distributions, designers can use Senik Reflekt to achieve any layer of light for outdoor illumination. The vivid RGBW colors result in more than 16 million color combinations giving lighting designers the freedom to create detailed and dynamic lighting for any building, monument or structure.
24
ChargePoint now offers a single Paired Express. Its small footprint makes it easy to install and gives drivers the ability to add range quickly if an AC station isn’t available. With 25% more power than 50 kW stations, the Express allows sites to charge more vehicles faster. As demand for fast charging increases, a single station can be paired to provide more power.
Litetronics proudly announces the introduction of its new Vivid LED Frame, a design-forward approach to standard flat panel illumination that’s ideal for popular drop/grid ceiling configurations across a broad range of professional lighting applications. Available in both 2’ X 2’ and 2’ X 4’ formats, the Vivid LED Frame is offered in three wattages and in three different color temperatures.
At LightFair, Green Creative launched PinFit PL Omni which has a patented modular socket design and embedded universal driver that allow this LED lamp to perform with an electronic ballast at 4 pins mode, and a magnetic ballast or no-ballast environment at 2 pins mode.
W H AT ' S N E W / / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 / / L M & M
Introducing Keystone LED T8 Color Selectable Tubes, a UL Type B line voltage tube with five adjustable color temperatures: 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K, and 6500K. Its ability to operate with single- or doubleended wiring simplifies installation, and it utilizes both shunted and non-shunted lamp holders, making it an easy LED replacement for T8 fluorescent tubes. Moreover, it offers up to 50% more energy savings over fluorescents and a longer lifespan, too. With such versatility, it’s the only tube you need.
25
EMBODIED CARBON,
PHOTO CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK - MALP
BY PARKER ALLEN
26
AN EMERGING TREND
The sustainability train has left the station and educated NALMCO contractors will have a significant advantage over contractors who do not understand this new market dynamic. With today’s global supply chain shortage, availability can be more important than price on many jobs. Demand for sustainable products is increasing and we believe there will be a time when the carbon footprint of a luminaire or lighting component is weighed heavily in the decision-making process.
In an effort to better understand these issues and reduce the industry’s carbon output, the GreenLight Alliance and IALD’s Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC) have launched the Life Cycle Assessment Incubator. Formally announced in March, the Incubator has three main objectives: 1.
Support collaboration among lighting manufacturers and lighting designers.
2. Develop a standard for measuring the environmental impact of lighting strategies and products. 3. Encourage global harmonization of these standards across territories.
The initial step in the process will be data collection and analysis. Data will be gathered for 5 common fixture types: 1.
Linear
2. Downlight 3. Cylinder 4. Troffer/Recessed 600 x 600 5. Post Top These categories were chosen based on the volume of product and where leaders of the incubator feel there is most impact. Studying these five categories of fixtures will paint a representative picture of the environmental impact of common lighting products.
Following the collection stage, the data will be analyzed to create a model industry average for each fixture type. Life cycle assessments will then be drafted and used to create product-specific environmental product declarations (EPDs), which will then be shared with designers. This data will benefit everyone in the industry. It can be used by manufacturers to improve their production processes and by designers to refine their design strategies to minimize their impact. With standardized data in hand, designers will be able to compare different products and opt for those that have less of a carbon output. From the initial data collection to the rollout of EPDs, the leaders of this initiative expect the process to take about a year. They are hoping to have EPDs in the hands of designers by early Spring of 2023. Arfon Davies, Leader of Lighting at Arup, summarized the situation well. He explained, “We simply cannot continue with business as usual. For us in the lighting industry this means thinking carefully and differently about the decisions we make.” What does this mean for lighting management and maintenance contractors? Let’s focus on the latter two phases of a product’s life cycle – its use and disposal. LED products already feature incredibly long lifespans compared to earlier generations of lighting fixtures. The limiting factor for the lifespans of these products is often advances in technology that make these products obsolete. Using products that are easily upgraded allows them to keep up as technology advances. Furthermore, with the rise of smart buildings and integrated technology, products that are capable of incorporating such technology can simply be upgraded when necessary without having to be replaced.
E M B O D I E D C A R B O N / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
According to a recent program entitled “Toward Carbon-Efficient Lighting,” hosted by the Parsons School of Design, electric lighting is responsible for nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions. With this in mind, the industry has begun to give increased attention to the concept of circularity by assessing the life cycle of common lighting products. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive analysis of a product’s environmental impact, from its production all the way to its disposal. As Alan Grant, Design and Development Director at DW Windsor, explains, “The traditional linear ‘make, use, dispose’ model of consumption is not only extremely wasteful but contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Creating a circular economy helps minimize both the level of waste and environmental impact.”
The process begins with the manufacturers, who will complete detailed surveys used to quantify materials and components making up the lighting products manufactured at their facility. They will provide information on the luminaires as well as their manufacturing processes and associated energy usage, packaging, waste, and emissions to air and water.
When a product does come to the end of its life, it is important that it can be recycled rather than disposed. Aluminum fixtures are ideal because they can easily be recycled. Alan Grant explains the benefits of doing so, saying, “Recycling reclaimed aluminum requires up to 95% less energy compared with primary aluminum production, meaning a significant reduction in carbon emissions.” The Incubator is a clear indication of where the industry is heading. We have already started to see the energy savings due to the advent and widespread adoption of LEDs. In the future, the entire energy output involved in manufacturing, operating, and disposing of a lighting fixture will need to be factored in when designing and maintaining lighting projects. LM&M will continue to provide updates on this emerging trend. ■
27
CHALLENGES FACING THE LIGHTING MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR: WHAT TO CONSIDER L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / C H A L L E N G E S
By Jacob Wright
The following article is based on Graybar’s May 2022 Market Insights report. LM&M simply highlighted points most relevant to the lighting maintenance contractor. The Market Insights report can be read in full here.
The last few years have been marked by unprecedented challenges and disruptions. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for much of the struggle businesses experienced. Now in 2022, while COVID still lingers, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is at the forefront of global supply chain disruption and uncertainty. These geopolitical challenges are exacerbated by high inflation, labor shortages, and rising commodity prices, forcing many businesses and contractors to make tough decisions. Understanding the issues facing our industry is critical in order to adapt and plan for the future in a way that sets a business up for success. Below is a detailed breakdown of the issues mentioned previously:
LABOR SHORTAGES • 650,000 more workers are needed in 2022 than 2021. • More jobs available than people to fill them. • Port closures continue to happen, furthering the backlog of containers. This is mainly due to the labor shortage, partly due to some COVID outbreaks in China leading to shutdowns. PHOTO CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK - JOY FERA
28
• In 2023, it is predicted the industry will need to bring in 590,000 more workers on top of normal hiring to meet continued demand.
RAW MATERIALS • Russia is a big exporter of many critical raw materials commonly used in our industry. ▶ Particularly copper, which is vital to the semiconductor market. Sanctions against Russia and supply chain disruptions leads economists to predict that demand will decrease for copper-related products. ▶ Russia also supplies 35% of the United States’ palladium, another ingredient in making chips. • Ukraine produces nearly 50% of the world’s supply of neon, a key ingredient in making chips, and have stopped its operations. ▶ Semiconductor market was already seeing a severe shortage, the conflict has made it worse. • Raw material scarcity can potentially lead to panic buying and inflated demand that causes more supply chain disruption.
COMMODITY PRICES • High inflation, caused by numerous factors including raw materials and labor, has led to an increase in commodity prices.
All industries are experiencing challenges to some degree, especially the lighting industry given the prevalence of semiconductors in LED lighting. So far, our industry is showing resilience and adaptation to the global economic climate, with many companies reporting strong quarter results in 2022 and improvement over 2021. Announcements regarding expansions, new products and collaboration continue, giving reason for optimism in the future. For this trend of adaption to persist, businesses and contractor must remain vigilant and aware of the issues pressing our industry on an individual and holistic level.
C H A L L E N G E S / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
PHOTO CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK - TOMASZ ZAJDA
• All of these challenges have created a market where demand is high, but supply is low, leading to price increases.
29
69TH NALMCO CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW ®
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / 6 9 T H N A L M C O ® C O N V E N T I O N A N D T R A D E S H O W
October 16-19, 2022 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE.
Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa 9495 W. Coyotes Blvd. , Glendale, AZ 85305
Learn more.
623.937.3700
REGISTRATION FEES
First time attendee (member/nonmember) allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
General Member allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Nonmember GM equivalent allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Associate Member, not exhibiting allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Nonmember AM equivalent allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Non-industry related guest (spouse, companion)
allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Child(ren) Under 12 years old allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Child(ren) 12–18 years old allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions
Golf Tournament Breakfast, lunch and golf on Wednesday, October 19
Golf Clubs Rental Golf club rental
On or before Sept 15
After Sept 15
$500
$650
$600
$750
$1,500
$1,750
$2,500
$3,950
$3,750
$3,950
$300
$500
$0
$0
$50
$50
$110
$130
$66
$66
Sponsor/Booth/Table Complimentary Registration (comp code required) allows attendance to all events (except golf) and meal functions. Contact meetings@nalmco.org if you need your comp code.
30
AGENDA *This agenda is subject to change LOCATION
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CLMC Content Review Session
Aurora AB
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Set-Up
Salona Ballroom
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Certification Committee Meeting
Aurora CD
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
CLMC Exam
Aurora AB
2:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Registration Open
Conference Registration Desk
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Exhibitor Welcome Cocktail Reception
Salona Ballroom
MONDAY P OCTOBER 17,2022
LOCATION
7:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Registration Desk Open
Conference Registration Desk
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Past Presidents’ Breakfast
Aurora AB
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast – Visit with Exhibitors
Salona Ballroom
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Salona Ballroom
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
General Session: Chris Kuehl, Managing Director at Armada Corporate Intelligence
Salona Ballroom
9:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Networking Event with Associates
Cira Ballroom
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
NALMCO Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon Sponsored by ESPEN
Salona Ballroom
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
One-on-One Appointments with Exhibitors (Part 1)
Salona Ballroom
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Visit with Exhibitors
Salona Ballroom
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
General Session: EV Charging Panel
Salona Ballroom
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Monday Evening Reception Sponsored by TBD
Courtyard
TUESDAY P OCTOBER 18,2022
6 9 T H N A L M C O ® C O N V E N T I O N A N D T R A D E S H O W / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / L M & M
SUNDAY P OCTOBER 16, 2022
LOCATION Conference Registration Desk
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration Desk Open
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Communications Committee Meeting
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast – Visit with Exhibitors
Salona Ballroom
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
General Session: Well-being as a Skill: Training Your Mind, Cara Sidman, Phd., Clinical Assistant Professor at ASU
Salona Ballroom
9:40 AM – 11:10 AM
One-on-One Appointments with Exhibitors (Part 2)
Salona Ballroom
31
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM
General Session: Current Trends in Cybercrime, and Including Law Enforcement in an Incident Response Plan, United States Secret Service
Salona Ballroom
12:10 PM – 12:40 PM
General Session: Panel on Labor and Supply Shortages
Salona Ballroom
12:40 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch including Education wrap up and closing comments
Salona Ballroom
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
One-on-One Appointments with Exhibitors (Part 3)
Salona Ballroom
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Exhibitor Tear-Down
Salona Ballroom
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday Evening Reception Sponsored by Acuity
Top-Golf
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / 6 9 T H N A L M C O ® C O N V E N T I O N A N D T R A D E S H O W
WEDNESDAY P OCTOBER 19,2022 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Golfers Breakfast (Golfers only) Sponsored by Altec
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
NALMCO Golf Tournament (Golfers only)
LOCATION
Hotel
INFORMATION Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa 9495 W Coyotes Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305 623.937.3700
Room Rates and Reservations ˍ Room Rate: $180+/night ˍ Room Cut-Off: 9/12/2022 To reserve your room online go to, www.marriott.com or call 1-800-931-1595 and refer to NALMCO
Join us for the
GOLF TOURNAMENT October 19th, 2022 Stonecreek Golf Club Located in the heart of Phoenix with spectacular mountain views, Stonecreek Golf Club's remarkable golf, upscale amenities and unmatched service have earned it recognition by Golf Channel as one of Arizona's "Best Kept Secrets". The club's superb links-style championship layout, expansive golf practice facility and delicious dining offer unrivaled opportunities for playing, socializing and networking for all skill levels.
32
33
NEW MEMBERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CALT
Benjamin J. Brown, CALT CLCP
Daniel Caldwell, CLCP CLCP
A.Jaye Halperin, CLCP L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / N E W M E M B E R S A N D C E R T I F I C AT I O N S
CALT
Ethan R. Landes, CALT CALT
Jaime Renteria, CALT CALT
Brian Alexis Rodriguez, CALT CALT
Wes Jones, CALT DiVi Energy CSLT
Tabitha Armstrong, CSLT
Energy Management Collaborative CSLT
Tanner Clow, CSLT
Facility Solutions Groupe CLCP
Luke Mosley, CLCP SESCO Lighting ATL CALT
Quintin Benjamin Parrott, CALT Superior Lighting Inc.
Lawrence Steven Levine, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
Ben Mack, CALT
CALT
Ronn Bidwell, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
Rich McDonnell, CALT
CALT
Willdan Energy Solutions
Lon Cash, CALT
Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
Daphne Delgadillo, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
Virgil F. Dunziellas, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
CALT
Curtis Morrow, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
Paul Pierce, CALT
Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
Jessica Lynn Gardner, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
Robert James Pistilli, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
Marcelo Poisl, CALT
Sara L. Gill, CALT
Willdan Energy Solutions
Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
Charlie Guay, CALT
Willdan Energy Solutions
Gregoria Y. Rios, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
David Hassett, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
Eduardo Ruiz, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
Joseph YK Hui, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
Brandon Siglar, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions CALT
CALT
Riley Hutchings, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
Alexandra Zellars, CALT Willdan Energy Solutions
NEW MEMBERS GENERAL:
NEW MEMBERS ASSOCIATE:
Dalworth Lighting and Electrical Services, LLC
National Energy & Light
2404 Superior Drive, Pantego, TX 76013
34
CALT
14 Celina Ave, Unit 9, Nashua, NH 03063-1025
AD INDEX Page 9
Page 11
Page 19
Page 3
Page 37
Page 4-5
Page 13
Page 33
Page 23
AD INDEX
Page 2
/ / J U LY 2 0 2 2 // LM&M
35
L M & M / / J U LY 2 0 2 2 / / U P C LO S E
UP CLOSE WITH When Norma Frank’s husband had an emergency surgery that required a lengthy recovery, Norma knew she had to help provide for her young family. Her husband was an electrician who understood the importance of lighting which distributors often overlooked. So in 1977 Norma began Colorado Lighting, a supply source for contractors. When her husband recovered, he began buying lighting from Norma! Norma’s lighting education began with courses at General Electric where she met Chris Boren. Chris referred her to NALMCO which ultimately helped her grow professionally. Within a few years, Norma shifted to solely offering lighting maintenance, a critical practice in the lighting industry, focusing on shopping centers. As the company continued to grow and her children got involved, she branched out to service other states in addition to Colorado. With the proliferation of LEDs, approximately 60% of her customers have converted to LED lighting and she anticipates that more will follow. The difficulty lies in explaining to the end user the importance of maintenance and her strategy changes depending on where, and how the fixtures were installed. Norma explained, “The product doesn’t last forever, and it can be hard to convince someone that a maintenance plan is needed. Nevertheless, we have seen some of our more sophisticated customers put re-lamping cycles into their budgets.” Norma additionally points out that although it is rare to see existing customers upgrade to new generations of LED she is seeing more and more doing so. She added, “Relamping might also mean changing to something other than the original lights or adjusting a lighting scheme.” In looking at other trends, Norma recognizes that there is a shift from energy efficiency to light quality. These
36
NORMA FRANK
trends, like most, seem to be cyclical. For example, controls seemed like they would become such a hit but this is an area where more training could be provided to contractors and end users to boost control specifications. She explained, “These end users aren’t recognizing the values their fixtures hold because they simply don’t know how to use them to their full extent.” Often, she finds that ongoing training is necessary because employees who installed controls years ago have left the company, so the system is unused and stagnant.
We should never undersell or underprice ourselves with the solutions we are able to provide to our clients. We are so knowledgeable and solutionbased, which adds validity." Color tuning is an additional specification. Norma remarked, “Some people see the feature of color tuning as added value.” There is also a niche for UV lights in specific applications. There are new market opportunities for LED and the life safety industry emerging. A recently conducted field study by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai validated that nearly 25 percent of the roughly 350 field tested exit signs showed luminance below the target threshold. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 40+ million exit signs are installed in the United States, if just 10 percent produced insufficient
luminances, we would have a huge life safety issue. With the ongoing supply chain crisis, Norma and her company aren’t immune. Partial shipments don’t alleviate the problem as it leads to continued delays and frustrations. To ease the burden, they maintain a healthy inventory but it’s not always possible with all manufacturers. Norma recognizes that communication is key both with their vendors and customers, saying, “Being upfront with the customer is even more important., “We’ve all been impacted by the supply chain issues, so it’s understandable when there are delays.” With nearly fifty years of experience in lighting, Norma has a profound understanding of the industry. She values the expertise the industry provides to customers, stating, “Our company strives to educate customers to recognize what a quality lighting system can provide. Whether it be for energy-saving, safety, productivity or aesthetics, a well-designed and maintained lighting system is a solution driven feature that should be a line item on any successful budget. Appreciating that people working in lighting are important to every industry, she remarked, “We should never undersell or underprice ourselves with the solutions we are able to provide to our clients. We are so knowledgeable and solution-based, which adds validity.” ■
37
38