June 11, 2024
Schréder Acquires Ligman Lighting USA
Above: Ligman SMITH Bollards | Photo Credit: Ligman Lighting USA
Belgian lighting firm expands in North America, merging two architectural outdoor lines
Schréder, a Belgium-based maker of outdoor lighting products, has acquired Oregon-based Ligman Lighting USA, marking an expansion within North America. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Schréder's product offerings and market presence, particularly in the urban decorative lighting segment. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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| Left to right: Steve Mills (Schréder), Neil Gillies (Ligman), Sakchai Manawongsakul (Ligman), and Renaud Gryspeerdt (Schréder) |
Schréder operates in over 70 countries across five continents with its North America headquarters located in metro Chicago. Ligman Lighting USA, the exclusive partner of Ligman Lighting Thailand, specializes in urban decorative outdoor lighting, including luminaires, poles, columns, floodlights, bollards, and other illumination solutions. The acquisition of Ligman Lighting USA will not include its parent company, Ligman Lighting Thailand.
Ligman Lighting USA was established in 2010 under the leadership of Neil Gillies and is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon. Gillies, who is set to retire, led the company to a significant market position with a wide network of sales agents across the US and Canada. Schréder's acquisition of Ligman Lighting USA includes full exclusive distribution rights.
Agent Alignment and Market Representation
Schréder US and Ligman Lighting USA have distinct agent networks across North America, with minimal overlap. Schréder employs a market-by-market strategy, partnering with traditional commercial and industrial lighting representatives, specialty representatives focused on Department of Transportation (DOT) and utility markets, and operating directly in several markets. Conversely, Ligman Lighting USA maintains a comprehensive network of commercial and industrial lighting agents across the United States and Canada.
Each company’s published sales networks reveal only four markets where they share a common agent:
Schréder & Ligman overlapping agent partnerships:
| Region | Agent Name |
|---|---|
| New York City | SDA Lighting |
| Arizona | Arizona Lighting Sales |
| Indiana | ESL-Spectrum |
| Louisiana | WKA Lighting |
Representation in some other major markets:
| Region | Schreder Rep | Ligman Rep |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Western Lighting & Energy Controls | Performance Lighting Systems |
| Chicago | Direct | PG Enlighten |
| Toronto | Direct | Omnilumen |
| Philadelphia | Illuminations Inc. | Penn Lighting Associates |
| Dallas | Architectural Lighting Alliance | Texas Lighting Sales |
| Houston | LESCO Lighting + Controls | Peterson Scharck & Associates |
| Atlanta | Direct | Lighting Associates, Inc. |
| Boston | Boston Light Source | Exposure Lighting |
| Washington, D.C. | Direct | District Lighting Group |
| San Francisco | Great Basin Lighting | 16500 |
| Tampa | Direct | Tampa Bay Lighting |
| Seattle | PNW Lighting & Traffic Solutions | SeaTac Lighting & Controls |
| Detroit | Direct | Clarus Lighting & Controls |
| Minneapolis | JTH Lighting Alliance | Pulse Products |
| Orlando | Direct | Lighting Partners of Central Florida |
| Denver | CT Lighting & Controls | The Lighting Agency |
Schréder US President Steve Mills reassured agents in a Tuesday letter, stating, “We want to assure you that there are no plans to make any changes to the existing sales agent network for either company. Your established relationships and expertise are invaluable to us, and we are committed to maintaining business continuity and support for all our sales agents.”
Schréder's Recent M&A Activity
This acquisition is part of Schréder's broader M&A strategy. Earlier this year, Schréder acquired a 49% stake in Photinus, a European provider of solar lighting solutions. Photinus, headquartered in Austria, with a US office in Rock Hill, South Carolina, specializes in smart and connected solar solutions.
Schréder's acquisition of Ligman Lighting USA is a strategic step to fortify its presence in North America, enhancing its product offerings and market capabilities. Merrimack Group provided transaction support for Schréder. Stoel Rives LLP, a Portland based firm, provided legal support while KPMG assisted with tax guidance for Schréder.
