The year is almost over, and many are looking to 2022, but we at EdisonReport are looking back on 2021 one last time on the stories that made the biggest splash. Compared to 2020, the developments we saw in 2021 were significantly different while facing other challenges. Like last year’s list, this list is decided by total number of views each story generated, from greatest to least. Here are the top 10 stories of 2021.
Dropped during the week of the LightFair, this story grabbed more attention throughout the industry than any other. GE Current, a Daintree Company and Hubbell are two of the most recognizable names in our industry, so a deal like this is unsurprisingly in first place. The move was enacted in order to create a premier end-to-end lighting solutions business. The deal was agreed upon a $350 million cash purchase price and closing is targeted for 1Q22. Editor Randy Reid interviewed Manish Bhandari, CEO, GE Current, on camera a few hours after the announcement.
2. CONFIRMED: Universal Sold to Atar Capital
Back in March, EdisonReport exclusively broke the news that Universal Lighting Technologies had been sold to a private equity company in California. Later, we learned that Atar Capital was the buyer and that Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Joe Damiani, had left the company.
3. Blue/Purple LED Streetlights in WI, KS, and FL
Tunable RGBW lighting has become popular in recent years, but it can be an unwelcome sight in streetlights and were deemed defective by the FLDOT office in Tampa. AEL, a division of Acuity Brands, was the manufacturer of the fixtures and a spokesman told the EdisonReport: “The referenced “blue light” effect occurred in a small percentage of AEL fixtures with components that have not been sold for several years. It is due to a spectral shift caused by phosphor displacement seen years after initial installation. The light output is in no way harmful or unsafe.”
EdisonReport was sad to announce the sudden passing of George Mueller on March 25th, 2021. He passed away of a sudden ruptured cerebral aneurysm that he suffered on a skiing holiday. George Mueller was the Founder and Chairman of Ecosense and a pioneer in our industry.
The most recent story on this list, a suit between Acuity Brands and Tim Smitreski and Diversified Lighting Associates was reported in November. The complaint alleged that Smitreski violated his non-compete agreement with Acuity. The complaint seeked to enforce the non-compete and to protect trade secrets and confidential information. Acuity asked for many things including a restraining order, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.
More Acuity news. In June, Acuity Brands signed a definitive agreement to purchase ams OSRAM’s North American Digital Systems (DS) business. The acquisition included approximately 1,100 associates in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Both parties agreed not to disclose financial details or other terms of the transaction.
Signify started off 2021 by closing its manufacturing facility located in Tupelo, Mississippi. This move was made in response to the market dynamics in the lighting industry, and Signify stated then that the company will gradually transition the production of its DayBrite and Chloride professional indoor lighting solutions to its facilities in San Marcos, Texas and Monterrey, Mexico through the end of Q3 2021.
8. Startup Sues Hubbell Lighting
In May 2021, M3, a small sports lighting startup sued Hubbell for over $81M for not consummating their agreement. According to the suit, M3 claims Hubbell exploited M3’s vulnerabilities as a small startup to enrich itself through misappropriation of trade secrets. The suit claims that Hubbell never intended to culminate a final deal and they induced M3 to terminate advanced negotiations with Hubbell competitors.
9. Acuity Brands Sells NYC Rep Agency
Even more Acuity news. Early this year, Acuity Brands sold its New York Digital Agency to Illuminations, Incorporated (I2), headquartered in West Chester, PA, effective March 1, 2021. “Through I2, Acuity Brands has a tremendous opportunity to strengthen its brand presence in one of the largest lighting markets in the world,” said Richard Reece, President of Acuity Brands Lighting. “We are pleased that members of our New York Digital team will join I2, a leading industry agency with a successful track record in delivering value to customers,” he added.
10. Signify Faces Litigation from Former IP Counsel
Capping off this list is a story of Signify and litigation. In June, Signify faced litigation originally brought against them by former in-house IP counsel David Barnes. The suit was based around allegations that Signify infringed on patent rights belonging to the company L3Harris Technologies. The events that led up to the suit started around October 1, 2019. Barnes, acting as an agent for the company L3Harris, began sending Signify “evidence of use” charts alleging that Signify infringed on patents ‘986 and ‘572. As time went on, further allegations of patent infringement of additional patents were brought forth against Signify.
These were the top 10 stories that grabbed our readers’ attention during 2021. While COVID still affected the industry this year, mainly in the form of supply chain issues which we have covered throughout the year, 2021 was marked by more of a return to normal, evidenced by the return of trade shows and much less talk of UVC compared to last year’s list. Acuity Brands asserted itself even more as a dominant name in our industry, comprising nearly half of this list alone. It will be interesting to see what challenges 2022 will bring and how the industry will adapt.