February 27, 2024
Q-Tran Acquires Excelsior Lighting
First ever acquisition vastly expands Q-Tran’s offering in landscape lighting category
In a strategic move that marks its first-ever acquisition, Q-Tran, a maker of architectural lighting products and power supplies, has announced the successful acquisition of Excelsior Lighting Inc., a Fresno, California-based manufacturer of landscape and architectural exterior lighting products. This acquisition is seen as a significant step for Q-Tran, enhancing its position in the landscape lighting market and broadening its product portfolio.
Founded by Jerry Carter, Excelsior Lighting has carved a niche in the landscape lighting industry with 'specification-grade' luminaires and mounting solutions, catering to the professional landscape lighting sector. Excelsior prides itself on manufacturing in the United States and offers a notable 10-year warranty on its products.
Operational Continuity and Future Integration
On its website, Excelsior does not list a complete network of U.S. representatives but covers most of the country with lighting agent partners. The company appears to share an agent with Q-Tran in only a few markets, including Lighting Associates in St. Louis, Hartwell Cook & Associates in Mississippi, and Spectrum Lighting in San Antonio, Texas. Excelsior's lack of lighting agent partners in Canada indicates potential areas for Q-Tran's expansion and market penetration.
Initially, Excelsior will continue its operations independently, aiming to provide uninterrupted service to its customers. Plans are underway for Q-Tran to gradually integrate Excelsior's products into its existing rep network and marketing materials. This strategic integration aims to innovate and expand the exterior and landscape lighting offerings continuously.
Q-Tran's Strategic Expansion
Q-Tran, headquartered in Milford, CT, is best known for its diverse range of products in architectural LED lighting and power supplies. The acquisition of Excelsior Lighting augments Q-Tran's offerings in the landscape category, particularly with point source LED landscape lighting, where variety and aesthetics are crucial. Q-Tran's existing exterior and landscape power supplies, along with offerings of flexible and rigid linear fixtures, will be complemented by Excelsior's product line.
Gean Tremaine, CEO of Q-Tran, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Excelsior Lighting’s reputation for excellence and innovation aligns seamlessly with our values. When we started talking to Jerry, I was blown away by how closely his company’s values aligned with ours. Quality, partnership, innovation, and integrity are part of everything they do. The fixtures have a 10-year warranty, making them sustainable. They share our philosophy of offering superior durability and performance.”
To support the specification of Excelsior products within Q-Tran's framework, Lezlie Johannessen has been appointed as the Landscape National Sales Manager. With a background in design, architecture, and landscape lighting, Johannessen brings experience and expertise to her new role, aiming to elevate the Excelsior product line and foster key industry relationships.
As the integration progresses, the newly combined entity will seek to increase its impact on landscape lighting design and application.
