September 16, 2023
5 Things to Know: Week Ending September 16
A Massachusetts lighting company has been acquired. Plus, Signify grows a pineapple.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. ILEX and Norwell Lighting Acquired by Elk Home
Massachusetts based Norwell Lighting and ILEX Custom Metal Craft (a.k.a. ILEX Architectural Lighting) have been acquired by Elk Home, formerly ELK Group International. Norwell Lighting is best known for decorative and hospitality lighting products, while ILEX is known for producing larger scale custom architectural lighting fixtures. ILEX has been represented by traditional C&I lighting accents across the U.S. and Canada, and that is not expected to change.
In a letter to lighting agents, CEO of ILEX Architectural Lighting, Alan Indursky, emphasized that their American factory operations will remain unchanged under the new ownership.
Indursky's letter to agents announcing the acquisition was sent in mid-July. The inside.lighting I-Team has been appropriately reprimanded for not reporting the news sooner.
2. Light Filtering Eyewear
Move over, BluBlockers, Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center (LHRC) professor Mark S. Rea, PhD, and LHRC Director Mariana G. Figueiro, PhD, were recently awarded a grant by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to study personalized, non-invasive filtered eyewear interventions for protecting the natural synthesis of melatonin in night-shift nurses while also supporting their visual performance and alertness on the job.
The project is entitled “Filtered eyewear to prevent light-induced melatonin suppression while maintaining visual performance and alertness in night-shift working nurses” and explains its mission as follows:
Nighttime suppression of melatonin production by retinal light exposure poses health risks to nightshift workers like nurses, who are habitually exposed to high nighttime ambient light levels and specific short- wavelength (blue) light emitted by self-luminous computer displays. Our innovative research project proposes an unprecedented combination of two strategies – 1) use of blue-blocking filters, and 2) monocular circadian light exposures, in an attempt to preserve nighttime melatonin levels in night shift working nurses without compromising their visual and operating performance and sleepiness levels.
The project is expected to conclude in 2027 and the total funding is $673,658.
3. Musco Lighting Expands in Iowa
Musco Lighting, widely regarded as the market share leader in sports lighting, is expanding its world headquarters.
As reported by Marcus McIntosh of the KCCI CBS I-Team, Musco Lighting, based in Oskaloosa, Iowa for over 50 years, recently began its expansion of its global headquarters. The project includes a 50,000-square-foot addition, renovations covering 24,000 square feet, a new 13,000-square-foot facility shop, and added employee parking. CEO Jeff Rogers says the development aims to enhance collaboration with international teams and provide training resources. The expansion, set to conclude in two years, underscores the company's commitment to the community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for Labor Day 2025.
4. Signify grows pineapple indoors
As reported by Vertical Farm Daily, Jarno Mooren, Plant Specialist Vertical Farming at Signify, was surprised that a one-off-trial from years ago resulted in the recent growth of a pineapple. "When I brought a small pineapple shoot from my personal collection to our GrowWise research center a few years back, I didn't believe it would ever bear fruit. Growing up in a forgotten and dark spot inside our single-layer cell, it had seen multiple tomato and raspberry trials come and go before it decided to give us this beautiful gift," Jarno affirmed.
Jarno added, "I don't think that growing pineapples indoors is going to be profitable anytime soon."
5. Construction Documents: Access and secuity
Source: Dodge Construction Network
Dodge Data & Analytics released a market report titled "Data Resilience in Design & Construction." Commissioned by Egnyte, the study involved surveys of architects, engineers, and contractors about the risks they face and their responses. Key insights include:
Resilience and Document Access: The report benchmarks how professionals access documents, the issues that hinder this access, and strategies to improve it.
Cybersecurity: The study highlights experienced threats, the gap between perceived preparedness and actual readiness for cyberthreats, and risk management approaches.
Workforce Resilience: It delves into challenges in hiring and retaining qualified personnel and solutions to tackle these issues.
Managing Other Risks: The report looks at threats such as supply chain disruptions, market challenges, and tech issues, offering the most effective solutions.
Although the report may have a commercial slant due to its Egnyte sponsorship, it offers intriguing insights for those who work with specifier and contractor construction documents.
