By his early twenties, François-Xavier Souvay was making his mark on major commercial real estate ventures in Montreal. His expertise quickly drew the attention of a leading outdoor lighting firm specializing in specification-grade products, where he successfully created a network of agents and value-added resellers (VARs) across Canada and the U.S. His role expanded to consulting for numerous North American lighting firms, sharing his growing expertise.
In 1999, Souvay took over Luxtec, a lighting rep firm and he launched Lumenpulse in 2006, which rapidly emerged as a premier provider of specification-grade LED lighting solutions. He took the company public in 2014 and private in 2017.
Between July 2022 and June 2023, LMPG made the remarkable move of acquiring four prominent firms: Pa-Co, Lumca, ALW, and Vode Lighting. For a private entity to secure this many major acquisitions within such a short span is not only significant but also virtually unheard of in the lighting sector. Expanding its footprint further, LMPG also established two new representative firms, CDm2 in Vancouver and Toronto LightWorks. Furthermore, LMPG has ambitious plans to introduce Fluxwerx to the European market and to re-introduce Vode there. While these achievements would justify naming François-Xavier Souvay as EdisonReport’s Person of the Year, our decision was based on something deeper.
LMPG places sustainability at the core of its mission and is about to unveil a group-wide corporate social sustainability initiative that will encompass all its brands. LMPG’s commitment stretches from meticulous material selection to ensuring the recyclability and circularity of its products, as well as adopting environmentally responsible practices in its facilities. The path towards reducing carbon footprint starts at the design phase—eliminating the unnecessary, fostering innovation in industrial design, and constantly evaluating the indispensability of each component.
Watch Souvay’s comments about sustainability below.
This environmentally conscious mindset is woven into the design process of each brand under the LMPG umbrella, influencing material choices such as opting for low-carbon aluminum. This material not only incorporates recycled content but is also produced using energy from renewable sources. Souvay’s dedication to these finer points underscores his belief in corporate and civic responsibility, a stance that is increasingly echoed by its clients. Architects and their clients are progressively demanding sustainable efforts, a trend that LMPG is not only prepared to meet but is actively pursuing with vigor.
LMPG has six manufacturing facilities: 5 in North America, 1 in Italy and 0 in China. 95% of their luminaires are built in North America.
LMPG is not merely keeping up with sustainability trends; it is propelling them forward. The company finds inspiration in Vode’s leadership in sustainability, particularly highlighted by their London initiatives. LMPG is keen on integrating the best practices observed in Vode’s sustainability model and applying them throughout the group, turning admiration into action and ensuring that sustainability remains an integral part of their corporate ethos.
The company’s pursuit of sustainability stretches beyond low carbon components delving into the very way buildings are powered. Souvay told me, “We’re using AC everywhere when pretty much everything we’re powering doesn’t need AC. Computers and lighting are operating with a DC. Why don’t we go straight from DC to DC, right? That’s logical.”
LMPG is actively involved in projects that are pioneering the DC to DC landscape, including applications within hospitals and various types of developments. “I’m a big believer in DC to DC microgrids,” says Souvay. “And I think we can go even further than a microgrid in the future.” The rationale is clear: by eliminating the need for AC to DC conversion, there is a reduction in energy loss and efficiency, as well as a decrease in the materials required for products and building infrastructure.
With François-Xavier Souvay’s remarkable trajectory and the visionary expansion of LMPG under his leadership, it is evident that his influence extends far beyond four acquisitions in 12 months. Souvay’s true impact is rooted in his unwavering dedication to sustainability and improving our planet.