LED technology in a new light Trilux

LED TECHNOLOGY IN A NEW LIGHT

Trilux is a global brand leader in the design and manufacture of high-tech solutions for commercial and exterior lighting systems. Philip Yorke talked to Dietmar Sack, the company’s export sales director about its vision for the future, its latest LED lighting and further plans for expansion.

Trilux was founded nearly 100 years ago in Germany by Wilhelm Lenze, who pioneered research into new lighting technology and specialised in the manufacture of technical lighting products and accessories. In 1948 the company started to develop the first luminaires for fluorescent lamps that captured world markets and resulted in the company changing its name to Trilux. Since that time, the company has stayed at the forefront of commercial lighting technology. Today it remains a family-owned business and maintains its commitment to innovation and products of optimal quality.

Trilux is a truly global operator with a major presence in western and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries. Emerging markets such as India and South America are also seeing a growing Trilux presence. Currently the company employs over 5,000 people worldwide and in 2010 recorded sales of more than €500 million.

New energy-efficient LED solutions

Trilux divides its operations into two distinct business areas: commercial interior lighting and outdoor lighting systems. The interior lighting division embraces business sectors such as lighting systems for offices, schools and hospitals as well as for, stores and industrial applications. Outdoor lighting systems include systems for highways, roads, crossings, railway stations and pathways as well as for sports facilities and facades.

In all these technological disciplines there is a commitment to creating more energyefficient lighting systems and innovative answers to the changing demands of industry. LED lighting solutions are playing an increasing role in the quest for energy-efficient lighting systems, as Dietmar Sack explained, “Today everyone looks at costs and we answer this with two strategic points, firstly we offer the most energy-efficient lighting systems in commercial use today and secondly we are developing even more energy-efficient and cost-effective systems with our LED lighting solutions. Even in markets such as the Middle East, where energy is not a problem, energy efficiency is still a top priority as these countries are dedicated to reducing their own carbon footprint.

“Currently our biggest R&D investment is going into LED products. We are already looking one step further ahead into the development of new lighting systems for O-LED technology. Organic LEDs work on a different principle: whereas standard LEDs are always very small light sources, O-LEDs are designed to light much bigger surfaces, including those for television sets, shop displays and other items such as mobile phones.”

Growth in demand for medical applications

Trilux entered the medical lighting market in 1963 although it wasn’t until 2010 that it established a fully independent medical division. The company began with hospital room installation systems and today these have been developed to become the industry standard for lighting installations in hospital wards, intensive care units and operating theatres. Mr Sack commented, “We have come a long way since we first entered the medical market. Today we produce special systems for intensive care wards and other specialised medical applications. As in previous years we continue to pioneer the use of LED technology in the medical operating theatres and have pioneered an initiative to

further develop the technology in association with potential cooperation partners in the industry.”

The company is also seeing strong growth in its more niche markets and as a result recently acquired a specialist business that catered solely for the architectural market. This company operates at the high-end of the lighting spectrum. In addition, Trilux provides advanced lighting solutions for shops, supermarkets and stores through its dedicated division, Oktalite. Mr Sack added, “Lighting solutions for shops is not a core business for Trilux; however, Oktalite uses the synergy with Trilux to develop solutions for sales areas, and these are all handled on a global marketing approach and make a much bigger contribution to turnover.”

New horizons

Trilux is a brand leader in Europe and number one in Germany, but it believes that the greatest opportunities for growth lie outside the European Union. The company plans to focus on overseas markets, which are already demonstrating strong growth. These include Russia, India and Brazil. Mr Sack commented, “We are very positive about the future prospects in these fast-emerging markets. Europe will always be important to us, but it is a mature market and therefore room for growth is somewhat constrained.

“We expect that our strong organic growth will continue. However, we keep an eye on the market so that if an acquisition opportunity presents itself which complements our portfolio, then we will certainly consider it”

Today Trilux is leading the way to make lighting better and more comfortable for the people who use it, as well as for the environment. This is a clear vision for the future and one that Trilux approaches responsibly with state-of-the-art LED innovation and a continuous commitment to energy conservation. n