5 Things to Know: October 18

Signify will report third-quarter earnings on Friday, October 24, with Chief Executive Officer As Tempelman set to lead his first earnings call since stepping into the role on September 1. While Tempelman is now formally in charge, current Chief Financial Officer Željko Kosanović—who led the company for most of the third quarter as interim CEO — may play a visible supporting role, given his operational leadership during the reporting period and Tempelman's limited time in the post.

Analysts forecast third-quarter revenue of €1.457 billion ($1.7 billion USD), with expectations ranging from a high of €1.509 billion to a low of €1.424 billion. The professional lighting segment is expected to deliver €968 million, while the consumer segment is projected at €303 million. Adjusted EBITA is anticipated at €139 million, with estimates spanning from €120 million to €157 million, reflecting margin consensus of 9.6%. While top-line expectations are narrowly clustered, profit estimates show slightly wider variability, pointing to uncertainty around cost discipline and mix dynamics. EBITA margin outliers range from 8.3% to 10.4%, signaling mixed views on operating leverage recovery.

On Tuesday in Atlanta, tED Magazine and NAED recognized 30 rising stars from across the electrical industry during its annual “30 Under 35” awards ceremony — and Inside Lighting was there to witness future leaders in electrical distribution and manufacturing accept their honors.

NOT Under 35: Inside Lighting’s Al Uszynski (left) with event emcee Scott Costa of tED Magazine.

Scott Costa, editor of tED Magazine, emceed the event, where about two-thirds of this year’s honorees came from the distribution side and the remaining third represented electrical industry manufacturers. Among distributors, Elliott Electric Supply and Sonepar stood out with an impressive four winners each, more than any other company.

Notably, three of Elliott’s four — Carley Camp, Lauren Cox, and Tyler Petty — serve as Branch Managers, each overseeing their own profit center. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for professionals under 35 and a reflection of Elliott’s culture of entrusting leadership to capable people who may not have decades of experience but clearly demonstrate strong management skills and initiative.

The awards also recognized emerging talent from across leading distributors such as Wesco, Border States, Crescent Electric Supply, NorthEast Electrical, and others — as well as manufacturers including Siemens, Schneider Electric, Atkore, and ABB. Together, they represent a diverse cross-section of the next generation shaping the future of electrical distribution and manufacturing.

The world’s largest lighting company continues to pivot and evolve as global demand for conventional, non-LED light sources declines. The latest change: Signify will discontinue production of High Pressure Iodide (HPI) lamps for sports lighting at its Turnhout, Belgium facility by 2026 and consolidate all European 3D printing operations at its factory in Pila, Poland.

As reported by The Brussels Times, the transition will result in up to 73 job losses in Turnhout — 55 manual workers and 18 office employees — according to trade union ACV Puls. The Times points out that the reduction follows years of downsizing at the site, where employment has fallen from over 1,000 to about 235 amid the industry-wide shift to connected and energy-efficient lighting.

In a statement to Inside Lighting, a Signify spokesperson described the move as a strategic response to ongoing market transformation. “As Signify leads the transformation of the lighting industry toward energy-efficient, connected LED lighting, we continue to adapt our business in line with the latest developments,” the spokesperson said. The Pila site, which already manufactures luminaires for professional customers, offers proximity to component production and supports greater operational scale.

Signify confirmed that customers will not experience changes in delivery timelines or service and emphasized that the decision “is in no way a reflection of the dedication and commitment” of its Turnhout employees.

As reported by South Dakota’s Argus Leader, South Dakota officials are pledging their own money—$30.94 per night—to keep Mount Rushmore illuminated during the federal government shutdown. Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, serving as acting governor, offered $217 to cover a week of lighting costs, followed by pledges from several state lawmakers and a private citizen to fund additional nights if needed.

But while the pledges are real, the lights themselves remain off. The National Park Service has not authorized a resumption of the nightly lighting ceremony, which is listed as “temporarily unavailable” on the state’s tourism website. The Mount Rushmore Society, the nonprofit handling the pledges, confirmed the donations are being accepted symbolically until federal operations resume.

Even so, the gesture has drawn attention for its grassroots tone and modest scale—$31 at a time. Among those sponsoring nights are House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, Rep. Trish Ladner of Hot Springs, and Marilyn Oakes, who dedicated her pledge in memory of her late husband.

Lighting professionals: a leading outdoor lighting manufacturer wants to better understand how you work, what you value, and which tools and products support your decisions.

This short survey explores:

• How you evaluate and specify outdoor lighting
• What matters most — performance, design, sustainability, price
• How you use digital tools in your workflow
• Your awareness and perception of key brands
• Your views on solar lighting and smart technologies
• What publications and events keep you connected to the industry

Your insights will directly inform product development, digital resources, and industry engagement strategies. Whether you're a specifier, designer, engineer or distributor, your perspective adds value.

Take the survey here:
 https://hope.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gCtdprF0NtZ4hg

Thank you for contributing to a smarter, more responsive lighting industry.