June 17, 2023
5 Things to Know: Week Ending June 17
A NYC Lighting Controls Event is still moving forward. Plus, the number of Declare-label lighting products grows and grows.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. NYC Lighting Controls Event
It’s been a few months since inside.lighting first reported the news of a new lighting controls trade show, NYControlLED, that is planned to launch in New York City this year. The event is a joint venture between the New York Section of the IES (IESNYC) and Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY).
The IESNYC Finance Committee has since approved a preliminary $25,000 budget to launch the NYControlLED event, which is scheduled for November 14 at The Metropolitan Pavilion in New York. According to IESNYC:
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The event is in partnership with the DLFNY. As such, all expenses and profits will be a 50/50 split.
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The preliminary budget may increase, as discovery of all associated costs is still in progress. Increases in expenses above $10,000 will require Board approval.
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The IESNYC $25,000 budget represents the IESNYC piece only, making the total budget for the event $50,000.
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There is a critical milestone of August 15, 2023 to withdraw from event if there is insufficient participation.
The website of the IESNYC describes NYControlLED as “a new IESNYC and DLFNY educational trade show dedicated to lighting controls.” In the very near future, show organizers are expected to launch a website aimed to help potential attendees and exhibitors learn more and get involved.
2. Declare Labels & Lighting Manufacturers
In the evolving landscape of material transparency, the Living Product Challenge (LPC) and its transparency platform, Declare, continue to gain momentum. Since our previous article, "The Material Transparency Movement Gains Momentum," published in April 2022, there has been significant growth in the list of lighting products listed with a Declare Label.
Declare, a product database within the LPC, aims to revolutionize the materials marketplace by promoting transparency and providing valuable information to consumers. With a focus on the electrical category (CSI Section 26), we present a comprehensive list of manufacturers cited in the LPC database for their lighting products:
- 3FORM (LightArt)
- AALINE
- ACUITY BRANDS, INC
- BETA-CALCO INC
- CONTECH LIGHTING
- COOPER LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
- CORONET LED
- DMF LIGHTING
- ECOGLO INTERNATIONAL LTD
- ERP POWER, LLC
- FINELITE, INC.
- GLINT LIGHTING
- LIGHTGLASS
- LIGHTLY
- LIGHTOLIER BY SIGNIFY
- LUCIFER LIGHTING COMPANY
- LUXXBOX
- PRUDENTIAL LIGHTING
- Q-TRAN
- SELUX CORPORATION
- SIGNIFY
- SPECTRUM LIGHTING
- USAI LIGHTING
- VODE LIGHTING
- XICO LIGHTING
- ZUMTOBEL GROUP
3. Los Angeles: Over 400 different types of streetlights
Los Angeles’ streetlights are more than a public utility — they’re a civic art project more than 150 years in the making.
KNX News 97.1 FM reports that L.A. is home to more than 400 different types of streetlights. Fittingly, there are not just one, but two iconic art installations celebrating L.A.’s history of unique lighting.
4. Construction price pressure is relaxing
Overall construction input prices are 3.7% lower than a year ago. Nonresidential construction input prices are 3.4% lower. Prices declined in all three energy subcategories.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index, iron and steel prices are down 17% over the last twelve months, but switchgear prices have increased 11% during the same period.
Dodge Data & Analytics added that the Federal Reserve decided to maintain the federal funds rate in the range of 5 to 5-1/4%, refraining from further rate increases after ten consecutive hikes. This wait-and-see approach is consistent with the theme that core inflation is improving. However, it hasn’t come down quick enough and based on the statement accompanying the decision it seems likely that the Fed will raise rates again – potentially at the July meeting.
5. Shipping Disruption Fears Averted
On June 14, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) reached a tentative agreement in the West Coast labor dispute. Earlier this month, dockworkers disrupted trade for many days as contentious West Coast port labor negotiations inspired worries about shipping disruptions during critical holiday shopping seasons.
The tentative agreement lasts for six years and covers the 29 ports responsible for most U.S. imports. In a statement on June 15, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark commended both sides for reaching an agreement and averting widespread work stoppage and economic harm.
