The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) CEO, David Long, testified before the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce at a hearing held on April 19. In his testimony, Long outlined how the misclassification of employees impacts the construction industry, particularly the competitive disadvantage it creates for law-abiding employers….
U.K.-based architectural lighting manufacturer Tryka has expanded its operations in the Middle East with the opening of new offices in Saudi Arabia. The opening of the Saudi Arabia offices will allow for the growth of the company’s existing Middle East presence as an addition to its UAE office. The new location will create further support…
Atlanta-based Acuity Brands, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire KE2 Therm Solutions, Inc., which develops and provides intelligent refrigeration control solutions that improve profitability by increasing system efficiency and decreasing operational and service costs. The transaction is expected to close during the spring of 2023 when KE2 Therm will begin integrating into Distech…
On April 13, Sonepar announced that its Capital Electric brand had entered into an agreement to acquire Butler’s Electric Supply in Wilmington, N.C. Butler’s Electric branch locations will be integrated into Sonepar’s Capital Electric brand at closing. Focused on small residential and commercial contractors, the Butler’s Electric Supply acquisition brings Capital Electric the opportunity to…
Back in 2012, it may have been hard to believe that a small lighting maintenance and retrofit contractor in Raleigh, N.C. could become a comprehensive resource in the commercial lighting industry, but Lightserve Corporation has had a meteoritic rise over the past decade due to strategic acquisitions. By acquiring companies with various strengths such as…
Commerce, Calif.-based manufacturer Nora Lighting is partnering with Smart Lighting Systems (SLS) to cover the area of Sacramento and the Central Valley of California. SLS replaces long-time Nora rep, Larry Swoboda of Swoboda Lighting, who retired after many years as a successful lighting representative. The addition of SLS will help Nora Lighting further expand its…
Lighting legend and former president of Kichler Lighting Sam Minoff passed away at home on April 8; he was 98 years old. He was the beloved husband of the late Clare I. (nee Dryspel) and the loving father of Barry and Roy Minoff, Amy (Mike) Southard, and the late Martin Minoff. He was a devoted grandfather of…
Parks Associates released a new white paper Energy, Security, Automation: Converging into Peace of Mind that explores the convergence between security, home automation, and home energy solutions. The data revealed 16% of households currently have a smart thermostat, and while only 5% of internet households own an electric vehicle (EV) today, purchase intentions are growing. …
While the theory has not yet been tested on humans, a University of Buffalo (UB) study published in the journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine suggests light therapy might be utilized to slow down cardiovascular aging and significantly delay the onset of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The benefits of…
New Jersey-based MaxLite has named industry veteran Brett Usher as VP/Energy Solutions & Business Development–West. Usher brings a strong lighting, energy, and distribution background, most recently serving for the past decade as Manager/Marketing & Business Development for Walters Wholesale, where he managed the company’s Energy Solutions team. Prior to that position, Usher worked for GE…
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based Espen Technology, a manufacturer of EV chargers and indoor LED lighting solutions, has partnered with Energy Conservation & Supply Inc. (ECS), a distributor and installer of EV chargers, LED lighting, and controls solutions. The two companies recently completed two EV charger installation projects: one for Brooklyn-based PACE Companies and another for…
As a leading independent project lighting specialist headquartered in the U.K., Atrium will now represent U.K.-based architectural LED lighting manufacturer alphaLED. Atrium has historically represented alphaLED throughout Scotland, however, based on a successful long-standing collaboration between the companies, this partnership has been enhanced and extended into England and Wales. For Atrium, this is the first…
Agency powerhouse SESCO has added Arkansas and Louisiana to its territory as of April 1. This expansion will be comprised of teams of existing local lighting and controls professionals to service clients in these markets. Simultaneously, SESCO is expanding its representation of Signify’s Interact connected lighting, Color Kinetics brands, and Genlyte Solutions luminaire brand portfolio…
Under the theme of “Connecting the World with Innovations for Better Living,” the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) features 600+ exhibitors from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Canada, Germany, Hungary, India, New Zealand, Taiwan, as well as first-time participants from San Marino and pavilions from Mainland’s Foshan, Xiamen, and Zhongshan. A variety of lighting…
Who doesn’t like to save money? If you register for Lightfair International right now, you can save up to $500 on a conference package. One of the unique benefits of LightFair is the ability to meet 70% of LC credit requirements (26 CEUs) in just five days and one location. The LightFair conference program offers…
This year, four grants of $30,000 each and four awards of $5,000 have been distributed by The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education, totaling $140,000 and bringing the Fund’s total distribution to more than $1.85 million. Founded in 1988 to recognize the achievements of the late lighting designer and pioneer lighting educator, James L. Nuckolls, The…