6 minute read
Beyond Full Spectrum: ReLi Grow Systems
ReLi Grow Systems has been in the LED space since 2005. While the company’s initial offering to the market is a specialized, modular system for the advanced cannabis grow operation looking to optimize energy efficiency and production of strain specific traits, ReLi can also meet the needs of a high production, medical grow for cannabis and countless other non-cannabis operations looking to focus on specific cultivar attributes and behaviors. ReLi supports the development of LED solutions that tread softly on Earth and save businesses money while improving the health and well-being of communities. When you work with a company like ReLi, expect to have a say in what they develop next and authentic, data-based decision making. ReLi CEO John Darland answers our questions.
What did you and your partners do before starting ReLi?
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I was six years into a startup in an entirely different industry. In typical fashion, it took us about five years to get over the hump and start making money. So, we were just getting into a comfortable rhythm. That same year, a local researcher who used to work for NASA approached me. He had worked on developing many products in the lighting industry, including lighting to grow food in adverse conditions, and had developed his own technology. He approached me about selling the licenses to some of the fiber optic and architectural technology companies.
How did you get into this industry?
Long story short… I ended up buying the licenses myself and building a team to support further research and development in the LED lighting space for horticulture. Right about that time, LED lighting was beginning to hit the market for the cannabis industry. Huge claims were being made about production and energy reduction. Peak wavelengths were being talked about and every light was a purple haze. The focus was on blue and red LEDs, which completely missed using white light.
Our trials had shown that white light was integral to plant development, so we didn’t develop the standard purple light you saw everywhere. We had custom LED arrays built that didn’t neglect the white light spectrum. Our light was different than anything else on the market —very high powered and very full spectrum. Our challenge was the high cost of manufacturing such a unique, high-quality product when the consumer and broader market weren’t convinced of the value. So, around 2008 we had a big choice to make and ended up deciding to refocus, putting this horticultural lighting project on the back-burner.
When and where did ReLi begin?
Fast forward to 2017. This friend, who I purchased the initial licenses from, had been studying the effects of various light spectrum, specifically on cannabis cultivars. He introduced me to his work and shared his expectations for an upcoming trial grow. The outcome was significantly better than expected. We were really impressed and decided to bring the project back to the forefront as cannabis legalization was gaining momentum across the country. Where better than Oregon to bring a team together to optimize a lighting solution for cannabis growing indoors? We fine-tuned the design, got our next generation of horticultural lighting into trial grows, and the results spoke for themselves. Next, we obtained the highest level of safety approvals via UL Listing and brought our specialty horticulture lighting to the market. ReLi Grow Systems was born.
How does your company philosophy translate to opportunities?
ReLi Grow Systems is a holistic approach to horticultural lighting that uses a protocol and (proprietary) Layered Spectrum Technology to “talk” to plants. We don’t believe in blasting your plants with as much light as possible. It’s important to know the spectrum needs of your plant during its various stages of life. The light you expose your plant to needs to be intentional: It has to be the right light, in the right amount, at the right time. The same amount of intension and care needs to go into your lighting as goes into your building design, seed selection, and nutrient mix. Every action has a reaction. If you have a cultivar (strain) that people just love, but want to see higher THC content, we have an isolated spectrum light you can supplement to any light you currently use and increase THC levels.
What were some of your struggles as you started the business? How did you overcome them?
We are still working with the stigma of the last decade where growers have been burned by false advertising and empty promises of LED manufacturers. Growers invested in LEDs and they failed. Building trust again is not easy but the reality is that LEDs are the real deal. They work, and they work well.
What is your current product line?
Our current product line is a modular system that, when used in totality, fulfills the entire lifecycle of cannabis perfectly, but each of the components in the system can also be pulled out and used on its own or as a supplement to another LED, HPS, or other light whose spectrum you want to supplement. We have two main full spectrum, base white light units — a veg bar and a flower bar. Our isolated spectrum offering right now consists of four supplemental units that cover the far red, UV blue, and combinations thereof. Each of our products focuses on a particular range of the light spectrum and controlling the level of exposure allows you to fine tune your influence on plant traits and behaviors.
How many people now work for ReLi?
Our company has grown to well over 100 people. We have a team of engineers on staff, a shipping team, in-house design, customer support — all building on the decade of experience, research, and success our company has had designing and manufacturing LED lighting products.
Where do you distribute?
We have global distribution, but design, build, and manufacture primarily in Oregon.
How did you gain market share and recognition?
We have the fortune of being located in region that has a rich history with cannabis and its cultivation. The quality and combined experience of the growers with who we partner to test and refine our lighting solutions is a testament to the great things that come from a product heavily influenced by the people who use it. We have largely gained market share through word of mouth and delivering a product that speaks for itself in high quality results, with low energy consumption.
What significant things have you learned so far about the industry?
We’ve learned there are still many challenges these days for LED grow light manufacturers. Good lights are not cheap, however, they are much less expensive than they were several years ago. They are finally able to provide a return on investment in a shorter and more impactful way by significantly reducing monthly power consumption and providing clear dividends to the plant health, size, and yield.
What have you learned about starting and growing a company?
Through our business, we can help people find their purpose, provide for their families, and give them opportunity to give back to the community and the world. This gives us purpose. We believe that what you sell and what you do are very different things — because in the end, people are what matter.
What words of wisdom can you share about the business, the industry, or its future.
Advances in technology, especially those that have the potential to help the entire human race, never happen in a silo and they cannot be done alone. Money isn’t the way to progress; it’s community. We need to work together to keep refining and exploring the potential new applications; to discover and grow together. We invite everyone to help us in our quest to produce healthier plants and enrich the quality of life for all.
What are some of your proudest moments?
My proudest moments include both internal and external events. For our in-house team, receiving UL certification is always a cause for celebration after the hard work involved. Receiving trial data that shows our solutions knocking it out of the park compared to older tech, and some of the well-known, heavily VC-funded competitors out there is really exciting as well.
