February 15, 2025
5 Things to Know: February 15
A $53 million deal closes. Plus, a key executive from Acuity Brands will depart later this year.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Gewiss Completes Beghelli Acquisition
Italy-based Gewiss has officially completed its acquisition of a 75.04% controlling stake in Italy-based Beghelli, the companies announced. In accordance with Italian regulations, Gewiss will now proceed with a mandatory public tender offer for the remaining shares, with the goal of delisting Beghelli from the Euronext Milan stock exchange. The deal, which we previously reported in December 2024, strengthens Gewiss’s position in the lighting and energy management sectors.
While numerous business publications picked up the December press release, only Inside Lighting uncovered the actual deal value and identified the sellers involved. The majority stake was acquired from Gian Pietro Beghelli and three other members of the Beghelli family at €0.3375 ($0.3559) per share, representing a 47% premium over Beghelli’s December 9 share price. The transaction values the controlling stake at approximately €50.7 million ($53.4 million).
Above: Italian Pinot Grigio, we presume
Beghelli, known for its emergency lighting and safety systems, will join Gewiss’s portfolio alongside Performance in Lighting, which was acquired in 2022. The integration is expected to enhance Gewiss’s international operations, including its presence in the U.S. market, where both Beghelli and Performance in Lighting maintain established businesses.
2 . Key Acuity Brands Exec Announces Retirement
Dianne Mills, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Acuity Brands, has announced her intent to retire from her role effective December 31, 2025. Mills is expected to continue as a strategic advisor to the company for a period following her departure. No compensation arrangements related to her retirement have been disclosed.
Above: Dianne Mills, as featured in Acuity Brands' Schedule 14A filing, January 2025
Mills joined Acuity Brands in early 2020, shortly after Neil Ashe became CEO. She officially started as the HR lead on March 4, 2020, and was immediately thrust into a crisis, managing the company's response to COVID-19 lockdowns and health concerns. Her responsibilities extended to Acuity's 12,000 employees (associates), including approximately 4,200 in the United States, 7,200 in Mexico, and 600 across international locations in Europe, Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Mills is among a short list of Acuity Brands associates who previously worked with Ashe at Walmart’s eCommerce division, which he led a decade ago. She is one of Acuity Brands’ four named executive officers (NEOs), a group whose compensation and benefits are disclosed in SEC filings. The current NEOs include:
- Neil Ashe – Chairman, President, and CEO
- Karen Holcom – Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Barry Goldman – Senior Vice President and General Counsel
- Dianne Mills – Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
3. LightFair 2025 Updates:
LightFair 2025 is set to take place May 4–8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, marking the event’s return after a planned skipped year following its shift to a biennial schedule in 2023. This will be the first LightFair in Las Vegas since 2022.
Currently, 222 exhibitors are cited by show organizers, with more expected to join in the coming weeks. For comparison, LightFair 2023 in New York City hosted over 300 exhibitors. Registration for the event opened in recent days, and discounted hotel booking is now available.
Above: Excerpt of current list of LightFair 2025 exhibitors
LightFair 2025 will also feature 54 educational sessions covering a range of industry topics, including advanced lighting controls, photometric software training, daylighting strategies, sustainability, human-centric lighting, and the latest innovations in AI and digital design tools. Sessions will provide hands-on workshops, in-depth discussions, and expert-led panels tailored for lighting people at all levels.
Finally, the event coincides with Cinco de Mayo week in Las Vegas, creating additional opportunities for professional networking.
Registration: LightFair 2025 Registration
Hotel Booking: LightFair 2025 Hotel Reservations
4. Trump Tariffs Face Legal Scrutiny
According to E&E News by Politico, President Donald Trump’s potential plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is facing legal scrutiny. Experts argue that the 1977 law has never been used to levy tariffs, and recent Supreme Court rulings — such as the rollback of Chevron deference and the reinforcement of the major questions doctrine — could weaken the administration’s case if challenged in court. While Trump justifies the tariffs as a response to illegal immigration and drug trafficking, legal scholars say it is unclear whether the IEEPA grants the president such authority.
The tariffs have been temporarily delayed for 30 days through an agreement with Canada and Mexico, but a separate 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods has already taken effect. Industry analysts warn of economic repercussions, particularly in the energy sector, which relies heavily on imports from Canada and Mexico. With legal challenges likely, the courts may soon determine whether the president’s interpretation of the IEEPA holds up under judicial review.
5. Lighting Takes Center Stage at Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
Lighting played a central role in Kendrick Lamar's performance during the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Sunday. The 60-yard-long stage featured an urban-themed setup, complete with a 1987 Buick GNX muscle car and eight streetlights positioned along the perimeter mounted 60-feet on center. Designed by Super Bowl veteran Al Gurdon in collaboration with Lamar’s lighting designer Cory FitzGerald, the production integrated high-tech lighting to complement the rapper’s storytelling.
According to Live Design, the show incorporated an extensive array of lighting fixtures and gear from major manufacturers, including Vari-Lite, ETC, Ayrton, Robe, and Elation. The setup featured 123 Vari-Lite VL3600 Profiles, 180 TMB Solaris Flares, and 88 ETC Zeo fixtures, among others. A large team of designers, directors, programmers, and technicians contributed to the spectacle, ensuring precise execution of the lighting elements. The performance, held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, demonstrated the continued evolution of theatrical lighting in live music events.
