January 9, 2026
Second Lighting Firm in Ohio to Cease Operations in 2026
Commercial lighting manufacturer plans February shutdown amid mounting global pressures
Just eight days into the new year, the commercial lighting industry has already logged its second manufacturer shutdown. And its second in Ohio.
Lauren Illumination, a niche maker of low-voltage lighting systems based in rural Tuscarawas County, has notified its agent partners that operations will cease by February 27.
“We are writing to formally notify you that Lauren Illumination will be shutting down its operations,” reads the January 8 letter signed by General Manager Mitch Pace. The company cites “ongoing overseas manufacturing challenges, including supply chain disruptions, production delays, and rising costs” as the driving forces behind the decision.
The closure comes just days after the sudden shutdown of Teron Lighting in the Cincinnati area, marking a troubling pattern for one state’s role in the national lighting market. And while Lauren Illumination wasn’t widely known in commercial lighting circles, it had carved out a clear identity through its TILT platform that touted slimline fixtures that were powered and controlled from one central LED driver. Laruen Illumination went to market through agent-based representation across the U.S. and Canada.
A Controlled Exit, Not an Abrupt Vanishing Act
Unlike some recent industry closures, Lauren’s wind-down isn’t abrupt. The company is offering a final inventory sale and encouraging agents to communicate with customers before operations stop entirely next month. “We encourage you to notify your customers of this opportunity and coordinate with us promptly,” the letter adds.
That runway—while no replacement for long-term stability—offers a measure of breathing room for employees, customers, and reps alike. In contrast to the shutdown of Teron earlier this month, Lauren’s approach appears more deliberate, even if the end result is the same.
For an industry still digesting the closures and consolidations of 2025, this second Ohio exit sends a strong early signal about what 2026 may hold. The year has just begun, and already two manufacturers—each operating in distinct niches—have folded. If supply chain strain and rising costs continue to outpace recovery, more announcements may follow.
As commercial lighting people across North America are already too aware, a new year doesn’t always mean a clean slate.
