Parspec Raises $20 Million Series A to Modernize the Construction Supply Chain with AI
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Parspec Raises $20 Million Series A to Modernize the Construction Supply Chain with AI

Parspec, an AI-native software platform that enables wholesale distributors and sales agents to efficiently bid and supply construction products, has just raised $20 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Threshold Ventures (formerly DFJ), with participation from existing venture investors including Innovation Endeavors, Building Ventures, Heartland Ventures, and Hometeam Ventures. The global…

Gross Electric Acquires Indiana Lighting Center, Enters Indy Market
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Gross Electric Acquires Indiana Lighting Center, Enters Indy Market

Family-owned electrical distributor and lighting showroom business Gross Electric has acquired Indiana Lighting Center, which has two showrooms in Indianapolis.   “This strategic acquisition strengthens our commitment to offering exceptional lighting solutions and investing in independent lighting showrooms in the Midwest,” said Laurie Gross, president of Gross Electric in a LinkedIn post.  “Indiana Lighting has…

VFW Post Memorial Lighting Project Wins AOLP Award
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VFW Post Memorial Lighting Project Wins AOLP Award

The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) has recognized Jimmy Kidd, CLVLT, COLD, owner and designer of Tranquility Lighting Design in Owensboro, Kentucky, with its 2025 Feature-Focused Outdoor Lighting Award at Illuminate ’25, the association’s annual conference and expo. The award honors exceptional lighting design that highlights a specific outdoor feature, such as water elements,…

Sound Off Series: David Goddard of LEDVANCE Discusses the Circular Economy & Luminaires
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Sound Off Series: David Goddard of LEDVANCE Discusses the Circular Economy & Luminaires

By David Goddard, head of UK Projects, LEDVANCE Lighting is playing an increasingly role in the circular economy. Luminaires are no longer seen as part of the disposable society, thanks to the recognition that they can be upgraded and refurbished to extend their lifetime. For many years, the lighting industry faced the challenge of reducing…

3G Productions Acquires Main Light’s Nashville Operations
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3G Productions Acquires Main Light’s Nashville Operations

West Coast-based live event production services and systems integration provider 3G Productions LLC has acquired Main Light’s 70,000-sq.-ft. location in Nashville as part of its ongoing initiative to expand into a coast-to-coast, full-service production and systems integration provider. 3G Productions has taken over Main Light’s Antioch neighborhood building, its full inventory, and all seven employees,…

Two Northeast Rep Firms Merge, Forming New Identity
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Two Northeast Rep Firms Merge, Forming New Identity

Yusen Associates and A.A. MacPherson announced their strategic merger, uniting two of the largest independent manufacturers’ representative agencies in New England and Upstate New York with a combined 183 years of service. The newly combined entity, Yusen-MacPherson Group, plans to harness the strength of each organization to better serve their manufacturers and distributor partners throughout their territories. Together,…

Leviton Is On Track to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 
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Leviton Is On Track to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 

New York-based Leviton has announced significant progress towards its goal of achieving company-wide carbon neutrality by 2030 in its recently released 2024 Sustainability Report. The Report reveals a 37% reduction in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) from a 2021 baseline. As part of Leviton’s CN2030 program, the company has steadily…

Emerson Receives Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency at Milwaukee Facility
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Emerson Receives Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency at Milwaukee Facility

Emerson has announced that its Appleton Group iron casting facility has received a 2025 Energy Excellence Award from Focus on Energy®. The award recognizes companies in Wisconsin that go above and beyond basic energy efficiency solutions, both within their own organizations and those they support. As one of 11 recipients, the South Milwaukee foundry proves…

Lightovation Report: Multifamily Housing Trending as a Driver for Showroom Business  
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Lightovation Report: Multifamily Housing Trending as a Driver for Showroom Business  

The June edition of the Lightovation resi-oriented trade show and the Lighting One lighting co-op convention – timed to coincide with Lightovation in Dallas last week – was an ideal time to take the collective temperature of distributors now that the noise regarding tariffs has settled down. Lightovation and the Lighting One convention each provided…

New Resource for Lighting & Design Firms in the Built Environment
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New Resource for Lighting & Design Firms in the Built Environment

Direct Media Strategies is a new marketing support communications service from renowned writer and publicity maven in the architectural space Vilma Barr of Barr Publications & Editorial Services (BPES).  Direct Media Strategies will write and distribute blogs and newsletters for firms that design and construct in the built environment. This specialized service will bring a…

U.S. Pole Company Changes Name, Adds 3 New Brands
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U.S. Pole Company Changes Name, Adds 3 New Brands

California-based domestic lighting manufacturer U.S. Pole Company, Inc. has changed its name to U.S. Outdoor Lighting™, reflecting the company’s complete portfolio of outdoor lighting products and its evolving position in the market. In addition, the company has unveiled three new supporting brands to the family: Amerilume, budget friendly site and area lighting; Ameriscape, professional landscape…

Lucent Enhances the Dining Experience at Six by Nico
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Lucent Enhances the Dining Experience at Six by Nico

The latest addition to the Six by Nico portfolio – a group of 12 restaurants spanning England, Scotland, and Ireland – brings the brand’s signature six-course tasting menu concept to Bristol, U.K. Known for its storytelling through food, each Six by Nico restaurant delivers an immersive experience that changes every six weeks, with menus inspired…

Special Luminaires Aim to Help Workers With Visual Impairment
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Special Luminaires Aim to Help Workers With Visual Impairment

The newly designed diagnostic room at the State Education Centre for the Blind (LBZB) in Hanover, Germany, aims to enhance the workplace experiences of individuals with visual impairments. The innovative lab employs tunable Glamox luminaires – controlled by a light management system – to diagnose, test, and create optimal lighting conditions for individuals with visual…

Signify VLHive
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Vari-Lite’s VLHive Innovation Debuts on The Wombats Tour

Indie rock icons The Wombats are currently touring with a bold new visual identity, powered by the first touring deployment of the VLHive 151 Digital FX lighting fixture from Vari-Lite, originators of the modern moving head lighting fixture and Signify entertainment lighting brand. The show has been designed by lighting designer Rosie Haigh, who is also Vari-Lite…

DarkSky Approved
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DarkSky Approved: Wildlife-Friendly Lighting Standards and Recommendations

By: DMF Lighting Artificial light at night (ALAN) refers to the use of electric light sources in outdoor spaces. ALAN’s use has proliferated in the last half a century and grown exponentially as cities and infrastructure continue to grow, and particularly as the cost and energy usage of lighting fixtures has come down. ALAN is…