Cree Lighting Furlough Extension: Latest Anonymous Update Raises More Questions for Employees
Your humble editor received the below internal communication anonymously from what we believe is a furloughed employee at Cree Lighting. We reached out to the company for verification, which we recieved. In the interest of transparency for the lighting industry, we’re sharing the details below, along with the full screenshot at the bottom of this article.
In the latest development in Cree Lighting’s ongoing financial struggles, the company has extended its furlough period again. This Cree Lighting furlough extension impacts team members at the Racine, Wisconsin facility, pushing the pause from 29 November through 12 December. The original furlough began on 2 October, and this marks yet another delay amid talks of potential financing and restructuring.
Key Details from the Cree Lighting Furlough Extension Notice
The communication positions this Cree Lighting furlough extension as a strategic move to allow more time for discussions with interested parties. According to the note, these parties have visited the Racine facility multiple times in the last month, and negotiations remain positive. The aim is to close on financing before the end of 2025.
For furloughed employees, operations continue in a limited capacity. Cree Lighting is still accepting orders, manufacturing, completing, and shipping from its substantial backlog. A skeleton crew on-site maintains a “readiness” posture, designed to enable a quick ramp-up once full production resumes. The company has also initiated a strategic restructuring process to support new financing and expanded operations.
This furlough extension undoubtedly presents ongoing challenges for affected employees, especially at this time of year.
Timeline of the Cree Lighting Furlough Saga
This isn’t the first extension for Cree Lighting. As detailed in our initial coverage, Cree Lighting Announces Three-Week Furlough, the shutdown started abruptly on 2 October with staff required to vacate the building in just 30 minutes.
We followed up with Cree Lighting Turbulence Deepens, reporting an extension to November 17, 2025, alongside issues like unpaid commissions, key staff exits, and CEO Sabu Krishnan’s search for investors amid liquidity concerns.
In addition, it appears that Cree Lighting sold the name Cree Lighting to Feit Electric. Dana Knight of Feit Electric told the EdisonReport, ” Cree Lighting is a registered trademark of Feit Electric Company, Inc.”
Now, this new Cree Lighting furlough extension stretches the timeline even further, underscoring persistent negotiations while the company vows commitment to customers and partners.
Industry Implications of the Cree Lighting Furlough Extension
Acquired by Advanced Lighting Technologies (ADLT) in 2023, Cree Lighting continues to navigate rough waters.
This Cree Lighting furlough extension spotlights wider pressures in our industry, from supply chain disruptions to rising costs and shifting market demands. For workers, it spells prolonged uncertainty—but the optimistic notes on financing provide a glimmer of hope.
EdisonReport will keep monitoring this story closely as we approach year-end.
If you have additional insights or tips on this Cree Lighting furlough extension, email us confidentially at [email protected].
The Internal Document Screenshot
Below is the full screenshot of the anonymous internal update we received:
