Your humble editor spoke with Charlie Harte, VP of Marketing and Customer Experience at LEDVANCE LLC., the makers of SYLVANIA General Lighting in the US & Canada, to hear what the company is showcasing at Lightfair 2021 at booth 1721. Lightfair launched today in New York City, and while it looks different from years past, it is good to see familiar faces like LEDVANCE here in the Big Apple.
“One of our messages for customers and partners is that at Lightfair in New York and throughout the year, we’re here for you,” said Harte. “The past year has felt like a century with everyone’s family and workforce impacted by the global pandemic, causing enormous stress and anxiety. We have adjusted how we do business to be easier for our customers, and we have prepared to lessen the impact of the global supply chain issues for them.”
Harte commented how LEDVANCE has been a part of Lightfair since the show’s beginning. He said, “While others are missing from the show floor, we’re here grateful for the opportunity to connect again in person at this premier event and show our support for Lightfair. While some are having stock issues, we have options in our distribution centers ready to ship so customers aren’t left waiting. Bottom line, for our customers, partners and the industry, we’re here for you.”
“What helps LEDVANCE stand apart from others is that we are the world’s leading vertically integrated general lighting company,” said Harte. “By having access to the global resources of our parent company MLS, the lighting powerhouse, we can build lighting innovations that deliver performance, comfort, and safety quickly, so customers aren’t left empty handed. Empty shelves and vans mean loss revenue dollars for distributors and contractors. After the year they’ve had, they deserve better. If they are facing stock issues or have other concerns with their vendors, we invite them to give us a call and switch to LEDVANCE.”
“Another thing we are looking forward to at Lightfair is staffing the National Lighting Bureau’s booth as a board member to talk to the industry about NLB initiatives like the Trusted Warranty Program,” said Harte. The Trusted Warranty Program awards certificates to lighting and lighting component companies that meet the NLB’s objective quality standards and practices for warranty administration. The nonprofit assesses companies based on 5 criteria: formal warranty process, warranty language, length of business/warranty insurance, technical evaluation, and claims review evaluation. In demonstrating quality and reliability across these 5 categories, companies give industry stakeholders confidence in their manufacturers. LEDVANCE was one of the first companies to be certified by the program.
“Customers deserve to feel confident in their lighting choices especially given the promises of long product life. With so many options in the marketplace, it can be hard to know who you can rely on,” said Harte. “By offering this certification process, the National Lighting Bureau is helping customers breathe a sigh of relief that companies that have gone through this evaluation and passed, like us, will be there to handle potential issues.”
LED lamps and luminaires from LEDVANCE are built on a legacy of over 100 years of lighting expertise. “At Lightfair, we are showing many new SYLVANIA LED lamps and luminaires that are selectable so customers can select the right lumens and/or color temperature they need from one product. This saves customers space in their truck or shelves, without limiting options. We are also introducing products designed specifically to be easier to install. This includes having multiple knockouts and mounting locations to increase flexibility or having an all-in-one polycarbonate lens/light engine unit which offers toolless removal and installation. This way, rather than spending a lot of time troubleshooting problems, customers can focus on doing whatever brightens their day. We are also showcasing a new software tool that can help customers design the right lighting for an application. These are all ways we want to let our customers know – we’re here for you to make your life better.”
For the latest on lighting innovations from LEDVANCE in the US & Canada, visit www.ledvanceUS.com or follow them on social media on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.