GT Advanced Technologies Inc., announced a chief financial officer transition. CFO Richard Gaynor resigned, effective March 6, 2014, to accept a new position with a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital LLC, a private equity firm. The company also announced the appointment of Raja Bal as vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer. Bal will succeed Gaynor as CFO of GT on March 7.

The new Oslon Compact infrared light-emitting diode (IRED) from Osram Opto Semiconductors closes the gap between high-power and low-power IREDs. It offers high output in a very small package, barely larger than the chip itself, and it can be used for applications such as surveillance, digital image processing, 3D measurement, pattern recognition and gesture detection.

Cree, Inc. raises the performance bar again with the demonstration of the first 200-lumen-per-watt (LPW) LED concept luminaire, which is more than twice the efficiency of the best linear fluorescent luminaires. The latest Department of Energy (DoE) projections* had estimated that this level of luminaire efficiency would not occur until after 2020, but Cree’s latest innovation has made this possible six years sooner than projected. The prototype leverages Cree’s vertical integration with innovations in LED chips, optics, materials technology and novel system design to deliver unprecedented performance.

NIKKISO CO. has announced that it is establishing a new factory in Japan. The company will initiate production operations in mid 2014 and install an annual capacity in excess of 1 million units for its UVB and UVC LED illumination sources.

EarthTronics offers Globe, Candle, and general purpose A-type EarthBulb LEDs as an energy-efficient solution to replacing incandescent bulbs for hospitality, restaurant, long-term care and retail locations. Each bulb features a multi-chipset high-power LED, with an advanced cooling system and provides extended performance life and high color rendering of greater than 80 CRI. EarthBulb LEDs offer smooth dimming capabilities from 100 percent to less than five percent. The long rated life and energy savings that exceeds 80 percent, provide a quick return on investment.

Lighting orders for LED chip manufacturers are pouring in due to capacity competitions in the LED lighting and optic application markets. Sapphire substrate application has expanded from smartphones to iWatch. International sapphire manufacturers anticipate ingot prices to increase in February, which will allow performance in 1Q14 to be better than last quarter for sapphire material manufacturers.

Sumio Ichiba, Product Designer and founder of Ichiba Design Studio, talks about his crystal LED Mizubashow and Lavender designs at Lighting Japan 2014, which took place from Jan. 15 to 17 at Tokyo Big Sight.

The energy efficiency of LED lighting sources and design flexibility has won over the hearts of automotive manufacturers who have been increasingly introducing LEDs into automotive lighting over the past few years. Automotive lighting penetration rate has also continued to rise. Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai analyzed the cost structure of LED automotive lighting during an automotive lighting conference at Lighting Japan 2014. The company is optimistic about the potential of LEDs in automotive lighting, but also believes that the supply chain still needs to overcome problems of high cost.

Experienced lighting designer Hiroki Takada speaks about his award winning LED luminaire Orchids at Lighting Japan 2014 that took place at Tokyo Big Sight from Jan. 15 to 17, Tokyo, Japan. Takada, who is also the founder of Takada Design, has been designing luminaires since 1999. Takada is now a Lecturer of Nagoya Art University.

With the LED lighting era on its way, Epistar has seized LED lighting market shares through virtual vertical integration with downstream manufacturers, according to Economic Daily News. The company has currently invested over 9 percent in Edison shares totaling NT $300 million (US $9.9 million), and is considering increasing shares in the future.

Despite budget constraints, U.S. Mayors expect to significantly expand their investment in energy technologies over the next five years, according to a new survey of nearly 300 cities highlighting how cities are deploying new energy technologies to make their city operations and communities more energy efficient. 

Green Choice LED today announced it has been selected to complete the solar powered LED street light project for the City of Shenandoah, Texas, U.S. The project consists of designing, manufacturing, and installation of 81 solar powered LED street lights for the city's Shenandoah Valley subdivision. The Shenandoah City Council voted to go with solar powered LEDs over traditional street lights after researching the idea. 

Following consistently increasing demand for design services throughout most of 2013, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has posted its first consecutive months of contraction since May and June of 2012. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the December ABI score was 48.5, down from a mark of 49.8 in November. This score reflects a decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.2, up from the reading of 57.8 the previous month.

The Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), which is part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and Philips, the global leader in lighting, will renew their joint research program into efficient LED light sources with a new continuous Industrial Partnership Program (IPP). Both parties signed the new agreement on Tuesday January 21, 2014 and are looking forward to the continued collaboration. More details about the research program will follow in due course.

Our Customer The first project of its kind, the new Sainsbury's store on Churnet Way, in Leek, Staffordshire is a 40,000sq ft store with a wide range of popular Sainsbury's food products and a selection of general merchandise items. The store, which was built with a number of other energy efficiency initiatives, opened its doors on the 16th January 2013. "To find a lighting solution that won't compromise our customers' shopping experience yet can help reduce our environmental impact also providing operating cost savings is key to us achieving our st...

Engineering Products Co., a supplier of specialty lighting and wiring consumable products for electrical contractors, and Aleddra LED Lighting, a LED tube manufacturer, announced that the two companies will jointly offer a complete retrofit lighting solution that converts older, four- or eight-foot T12 strip light fixtures into energy-efficient fixtures using linear LED lamps.

With lighting design flexibility in mind, Hubbell Lighting launched today three new LED fixtures from Columbia Lighting—the LWC Premium Wraparound, LPT Premium Lensed Striplight and LRO Lensed Striplight. The company's new energy efficient fixtures seamlessly illuminate kitchen or dining areas, work or utility spaces, hallways, restrooms, and other areas with lower ceilings.

Taiwanese LED package manufacturer Unity Opto began construction plans for a new factory in 2013 in order to strengthen their LED lighting strategy. The increase production lines for LED lighting modules are estimated to begin production before the end of 1Q14. The injections from the new production line are anticipated to increase the company’s revenue proportions from 23 percent in 2013 to 30-40 percent in 2014.

Beautiful lighting designs do not always use complicated lighting technology, as demonstrated through the Jellyfish Illuminant by Kristin Birna’s, Iceland designer and co-founder of design company Gerist, at Lighting Japan 2014 during Jan. 15-17, 2014. Birna, who originally worked in the publication sector left the industry to pursue a design career. She graduated from Iceland Academy of Arts in 2008.

Taiwanese chip manufacturer Formosa Epitaxy (Forepi) has become one of three large suppliers for Samsung LED TVs. The company anticipates large shipment volumes in 1Q14 to help contribute to revenue proportions increasing from 15 percent to 20 percent this year, according to Investor. Legal persons estimate that Forepi 2Q14 will turn loss into profit, giving this year an opportunity to have a turnaround.

Xiaomi has established itself within three years, manufacturing electronic hardware products such as smartphones, set top box, television, and routers all under the leadership of Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman, and CEO. The company focuses on smart household appliances, but in the future plans to ultimately turn towards smart living room and bedroom.

Taiwanese LED chip manufacturer Genesis Photonics Inc (GPI) board meeting on January 21st decided to initiate capital increase, publishing 40 million shares at NT $14.5 each (US $.48) and raised resource of NT $580 million (US $19.2 million). According to a report released by the company, the increase in capital is for use in repaying bank loans. Shareholders can begin subscribing on March 11th.

Walking along the aisles close to the prototype lighting section at Lighting Japan 2014 at Tokyo Big Sight on Jan. 17, one could not miss the heavily perfumed smells of roses and stock that drifted out from Taiwanese LED manufacturer Macroblock’s booth.

LED lighting applications are gradually maturing following the increase in LED luminosity and rapid price drops. High entry barrier and cooperative stability makes the automotive lighting market a field LED manufacturers are anxious to break into. Lighting Japan 2014 therefore increased the number of LED automotive application lighting conferences.  Global automotive light manufacturer Stanley Electric was invited to discuss LED development in the automotive lighting market and speak about the new ADB (adaptive driving beam) headlight which is able to automatically adjust the headlight to suit the situation.

The Japanese government announced their budget for 2014 on December 22, 2013 of 95.88 trillion Japanese yen (US $920 billion), a new record high. The budget is mainly for increasing support in social welfare, national defense, and public buildings. The Japanese government increased tax fund and reduced bonds in order to reach their target of halving the current financial deficient of around 50 trillion Japanese yen.

Philips India and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) have teamed up to give the Gateway of India a spectacular lighting makeover on January 24th.

Philips Lumec blogger Jean-François Duquette highlights how industry insiders can learn and get new ideas from trade shows and conferences. Below is the blog entry:

Network based lighting controls have failed to gain much traction over the last 5 years despite the benefits that they can deliver for improving operating costs and reducing CO2 emissions. So why will the influx of LED lighting into the commercial building market open up new opportunities for controls?

Cree, a market leader in LED lighting, announced revenue of US$ 415.1 million for its second quarter of fiscal 2014, ended December 29, 2013. This represents a 20 percent increase compared to revenue of US$ 346.3 million reported for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, and a 6 percent increase compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. 

Today’s retail and industrial lighting design continues to evolve with GE’s new Lumination™ IS Series LED Luminaires, which deliver high light output coupled with energy efficiency in a sleek, streamlined fixture for low bay, open ceiling environments.