November 16, 2024
5 Things to Know: November 16
Wattstopper and Leviton swap agents in major market. Plus, Acuity Brands CEO shares M&A insights.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Lighting Controls Shake-Up in Philadelphia Market
The Philadelphia lighting market is seeing a significant realignment among certain controls manufacturers and lighting agents.
Legrand's Wattstopper has parted ways with Penn Lighting Associates after decades of partnership and has joined forces with Diversified. In turn, Leviton Lighting Controls is moving away from Diversified to team up with Penn Lighting, essentially resulting in a dramatic representation swap. Changes are effective December 1.
Interestingly, Diversified is set to continue representing Leviton Controls in North Jersey and New York City, adding complexity to the relationship. Furthermore Leviton’s lighting brands Birchwood, ConTech and Intense will remain with Diversified throughout its Philly, Jersey and NYC footprint. And all three counties of Delaware, too.
This brand realignment comes during a transformative period for Penn Lighting. Over the past 15 years, the agency has seen significant shifts, beginning in 2010 when it ended a decades-long partnership with Cooper Lighting to represent Philips’ Genlyte brands, now known as Signify’s Genlyte Solutions. That relationship lasted until 2023, when Signify moved to a new agent, prompting Penn Lighting to pivot to representing Cree Lighting. While the loss of Wattstopper is a notable setback, Penn Lighting gains a respected replacement in Leviton Lighting Controls, which has maintained a strong presence in the market.
In the late 1990s, Penn Lighting achieved a rare trifecta in the controls space by simultaneously representing Lutron, the worldwide leader; Wattstopper, then an emerging force in occupancy sensors; and Colortran, a brand owned by Leviton. This accomplishment is akin to offering all the iconic items from Jim's Steaks, Tony Luke's and John's Roast Pork on the same menu.
With Diversified carving off a portion of its Leviton contract and Penn Lighting adjusting their partnerships, these moves feel like navigating the Conshohocken curve during rush hour — constant lane changes, a little confusing, while everyone’s trying to get ahead.
2 . Acuity Brands Talks M&A Strategy
Acuity Brands took center stage on Tuesday afternoon at the Baird Global Industrial Conference, where a range of company topics were discussed, from operational updates to strategic growth initiatives, many of which mirrored those presented in quarterly earnings calls. However, the company’s detailed discussion on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) stood out as the highlight.
On the heels of the recent $1.2 billion acquisition of QSC, CEO Neil Ashe outlined a deliberate and strategic approach to M&A, emphasizing cultural fit and value alignment as core tenets of their strategy. “Understand the strategy that you’re trying to execute, make sure you’re buying the right things... Make sure that everyone required to execute that strategy is bought into that strategy,” Ashe remarked.
The company revealed a significant evolution in its M&A approach within the lighting segment. Historically focused on incorporating new products into its lighting agent network, Acuity now targets acquisitions that bolster vertical integration and enhance its electronics ecosystem with components like sensors and controls. Ashe noted this shift as part of a broader generational change in the company’s performance and strategy. An example of this evolution is their prior acquisition of certain OSRAM North America assets, which has strengthened their drivers and components offering, enabling product differentiation and vertical integration.
Beyond lighting, Acuity is prioritizing acquisitions for its Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), the smaller of Acuity’s two business units. Future M&A targets will likely focus on expanding adjacencies such as HVAC, audiovisual, and refrigeration controls. Ashe explained the vision, stating, “On the spaces (ISG) side, obviously this adds a big adjacency, but we’re also adding new control planes. So we added refrigeration controls and there are more of those to happen. ... Our priority is on the spaces side and continuing to scale this business.”
With a robust cash position and financial flexibility, Acuity is well-positioned to execute its ambitious M&A strategy while maintaining its strong operational framework.
3. PNNL Releases Guide on Energy Justice and Equity
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has published a comprehensive guide aimed at integrating energy justice and equity into building technology deployment programs. The document provides strategies, metrics, and recommended practices to maximize the flow of benefits from energy-efficient technologies to disadvantaged communities. This guide aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, a directive from President Joe Biden’s 2021 Executive Order, which seeks to ensure that 40% of benefits from federal investments in clean energy and climate programs reach disadvantaged communities.
Lighting technologies are one of many building technologies included in the guide, with programs such as the Integrated Lighting Campaign serving as a case study. By emphasizing advanced lighting solutions like smart controls and sensors, PNNL highlights the role of innovative lighting systems in reducing energy burdens and promoting equity. This publication offers actionable steps for stakeholders to align their efforts with federal equity mandates while advancing sustainable energy goals.
4. Just in time for the holidays: Droplit launches LED Umbrella
Droplit Co. (see what they did there?) has introduced the Droplit LED umbrella, a product designed to combine rain protection with enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. Featuring 19 built-in LEDs producing 375 lumens, the umbrella is marketed as a practical tool for nighttime activities such as dog walking and campus commutes. With a 50-inch canopy, wind-resistant frame, and a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection, the design aims to balance durability and functionality.
While it remains unclear whether a Black Friday sale will be offered, the Droplit umbrella is available exclusively on the company’s website, droplitco.com, with pricing starting at $60 for a single unit. Buyers can take advantage of multi-purchase discounts, with prices dropping to $45 per umbrella in a set of three, which includes free shipping.
5. DarkSky announces 2024 award winners
DarkSky International has announced the 2024 award recipients during Under One Sky 2024, the organization’s virtual global conference held November 8-9, 2024. These awards celebrate individuals, organizations, and communities for their exceptional efforts in combating light pollution and promoting dark sky conservation worldwide.
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Crawford Hunter Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Green
Lifetime advocate for light pollution abatement and dark-sky legislation. -
Bob Gent Community Leadership Award: Dark Skies Herefordshire
Promoted Herefordshire's skies with citizen science and community engagement. -
Galileo Award: Miroslav Kocifaj
Pioneered research on skyglow and light pollution impacts. -
Dr. Arthur Hoag and William T. Robinson Award: Sabine Frank
Championed lighting control ordinances and public awareness in Germany. -
Wildlife Night Watch Award: Chiara Carucci
Advanced wildlife conservation through advocacy on light pollution effects. -
Dark Sky Place of the Year: Mayo Dark Sky Park
Educates 30,000+ annually while leading innovative conservation outreach.
Rising Star Awards
- Dora Yang
Founded Shenzhen’s DarkSky Guardians, fostering youth-led conservation initiatives. - Night Owls
Created “Embracing the Dark” program blending education and natural appreciation. - Capital of Darkness
Transformed Mikkeli, Finland into a model dark sky conservation city.
Dark Sky Defender Awards
- Shweta Kulkarni
Launched AstroTribe to empower tribal youth as dark-sky guides. - XiNyaguthii Carol
Led DarkSky Kenya to address regional and national light pollution. - Ken Wishaw
Advanced dark sky conservation in Australia through research and advocacy. - Sébastien Vauclair
Developed France’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and measurement tools. - Mohammad Saleh Timar
Inspired astro tours highlighting the beauty of dark, starry skies. - Rader Lane
Overhauled lighting at Grand Canyon National Park to global acclaim. - Silvia Carneiro
Promoted dark-sky advocacy across Brazil’s diverse cultural and legislative landscape.
