Lighting Industry

  There is a rapidly escalating crisis in metal thefts across the United States, with a strong increase in copper theft driven by international trade policies and increasing industrial demand. Metal thefts, especially copper and aluminum, have surged this year. This spike is widely attributed to the adoption of significant new tariffs. For example, over [...]

The Trump administration has created sweeping changes and accelerated phase-outs to energy efficiency and clean energy tax credits through the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key implications of the OBBBA are: Accelerated Sunset of Major Credits: The OBBBA rapidly ends or shortens the lifespan of most major tax credits related to residential and [...]

Here is a quick summary of 11 acquisitions and four closures / liquidations, in the second quarter of 2025: Fagerhult acquires Trato TLV Group. Details here. Utopia Lighting files for bankruptcy. Details here. PE firm acquires Intermatic. Details here. Acuity acquires M3 Innovation (sports lighting). Details here. Delviro Energy liquidates. Details here. DALS Lighting acquires [...]

  The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) has launched a new initiative titled “Built Local. Backed by NEMRA.” This campaign is more than just a marketing effort; it represents a strategic commitment to highlight and support manufacturers within NEMRA’s network who are actively investing in the future of American industry. The focus is on [...]

  Current, a leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial lighting and controls, has made a major expansion to its U.S. distribution capabilities. The growth marks a significant step in Current’s mission to provide best-of-class lighting solutions with speed, agility, and precision. This new distribution model is designed to support faster service, greater efficiency, and smarter [...]

  On July 2, 2025, The White House announced a new tariff agreement with Vietnam, representing the administration’s first trade deal in Asia outside of China, and signaling a notable shift in US trade policy in the region. The agreement sets a 20% tariff rate on certain goods. The primary goal of this deal is [...]

  LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. recently acquired Evluma. Below is my exclusive interview with Ken Cartmill, Co-CEO of LED Roadway. Shiller: Congratulations on LED Roadway’s recent acquisition of Evluma. There do appear to be some interesting synergies between the two companies, such as complimentary geographic strengths. Can you speak to what you see as the [...]

“Agentic” AI in quickly gaining adoption in big box retail, including Walmart’s recent launch of its AI-powered shopping assistant, “Sparky.” Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can act on behalf of customers, such as placing orders, rather than just providing recommendations or information. Walmart’s introduction of Sparky marks a significant step in the [...]

  Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), commonly referred to as “tooth-in-eye” surgery, is a remarkable and complex surgical procedure designed to restore vision in patients who are blind due to severe corneal damage, particularly when all other treatments have failed. Developed over 60 years ago by Italian ophthalmic surgeon Benedetto Strampelli, OOKP is now performed in select centers [...]