UK-based lighting manufacturer Thorlux Lighting has marked its 90^th anniversary throughout the summer with charity events and the opening of a refreshed visitor centre at its Redditch, Worcestershire headquarters. As the company continues to innovate and works towards a validated net-zero target, its future remains bright.

Founder Frederick William Thorpe first manufactured Thorlux luminaires in 1936. Based in a small factory in Small Heath, Birmingham, the company initially made vitreous enamelled steel reflectors.

This was the beginning of a journey that would see Thorlux grow into a globally recognised manufacturer of luminaires and lighting control systems, becoming the largest company in the FW Thorpe Group.

Thorlux has installed a spinning lathe used since the 1930s as the centrepiece of its refreshed Thorlux Application Centre. The centre also includes an improved Emergency Lighting Experience, providing guests with a realistic, educational power failure escape scenario.

Thorlux remains at the forefront of modern UK luminaire manufacture, with multi-million-pound investments in advanced technology at its Redditch factory. The company still proudly makes over 90% of its products in the Midlands, employing five hundred people locally. Thorlux specialises in energy-efficient, sustainable products, and is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Mark Stevenson, Marketing Lead at Thorlux, said: “90 years is a major milestone for Thorlux. As a proud UK manufacturer, it is important to reflect on our accomplishments so far – from pioneering energy-saving controls to relighting the clock faces of Big Ben – while keeping our eyes on the future. The best is still to come!”

Get more details at: www.thorlux.co.uk/

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Customers, whether homeowners or commercial, are now rightly demanding precise up-to-date knowledge, innovative design, energy efficiency and sustainability from their lighting products. Simon Shenton, Head of LED Development at Luceco, explains why wholesalers need to look for trusted manufacturers in a rapidly evolving market.

When it comes to specifying lighting, experience and expertise matters and can in fact, be crucial, depending upon the installation setting.

For example, the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) measures how well a light source shows the true colours of an object compared to natural light. The appearance of eight colour samples (R1-R8) are compared under the light in question and a reference light source and given an Ra score, typically 70 or 80 which can be thought of as a percentage of how accurately the colour samples were reproduced.

However, there is a specific test – CRI R9 – that focusses on how well a light shows red/pink colours. Red is a critical colour for many applications where an accurate representation of red is essential. In photography for example, good red light ensures natural and vibrant photos, whilst in the textile industry, material colour needs to be consistent, so it is vital for quality control. In medical settings however, people can look pale or even green if a light source doesn’t produce enough red, so having an accurate red rendering can help with diagnoses.

Where reds are concerned, a good R9 score is required. The maximum possible R9 score is 100 and achieving that is tough. Even ascertaining the R9 score of a product is difficult as most don’t specify it – and when they do, it’s often below 20. Luceco has identified R9’s importance and can offer R9 values of greater than 50, as a special option, on most products.

Shining a light on Net Zero

In the light of the ongoing environmental issues faced by everyone, Luceco recognises the important role it plays in achieving Net Zero. It’s low-carbon products have been developed to help businesses reduce energy consumption and achieve their own sustainability targets. As such, wholesalers stocking products that deliver on this front will be most successful.

Luceco product development focusses on a commitment to low-carbon and green targets, for example, the company is continuously improving the Lumens per Watt of its LED products to give customers more light for every Watt of energy they use. In addition, Luceco is improving how installed LEDs are distributed to reduce the number of lights needed and therefore the overall energy consumption.

Supplying sustainable lighting solutions

One example of Luceco’s sustainable lighting solutions is the Luxbay Ultra warehouse linear product, designed to replace traditional discharge lighting in commercial and industrial settings. The Luxbay Ultra consumes 50% less energy compared to traditional lighting solutions and has a longer life span.

And, whilst technology, especially for LED, is rapidly developing, it’s important to ensure that the recommendations, standards and guidance surrounding the technological advances improve to match the potential since this will help to push the sustainability agenda further forward.

LED lights typically produce useful light for two or even three times longer and consume up to 80% less energy than their conventional counterparts. This longer LED life produces savings throughout the product life cycle, including savings on materials, installation costs (as systems could run for 10 years or more) as well as maintenance and replacement costs, making them the go-to option for companies who are seriously targeting net zero.

Luceco’s FType range of fire-rated downlighters has been designed to not only provide highly energy efficient lighting, conforming to all the required regulations for this type of light, but also to pack a punch when it comes to product choice – the range features three models each packed with multiple benefits, simplifying the decision-making process for installers, saving them both time and money. Shrewd wholesalers will look at manufacturers who can deliver on this and more, including a reliable supply of product and technical advice and back up if required.

Lighting design service

With a wealth of outstanding lighting products to choose from, wholesalers as well as their customers, can benefit from Luceco’s free Lighting Design Service. Combining extensive product knowledge with exceptional design expertise, Luceco’s friendly team will work with customers to provide first class design solutions for any installation.

Luceco’s products can help businesses reduce their energy consumption and achieve their own sustainability targets. By investing in low-carbon solutions, companies can make a positive impact on the environment while also saving on energy costs. Luceco is at the forefront of thought leadership in this area, leading the way in sustainable product development and committing to reducing both its own and its customers’ carbon footprints.

More customers are approaching Luceco with their own sustainability goals, and by conducting a lighting audit, the company can make recommendations for new fixtures and controls that are designed to reduce energy consumption. Lighting companies have a responsibility to recognise this need and ensure they continually evolve business operation for the benefit of all – and as this demand from all end users continues to grow, wholesalers need to ensure that their chosen lighting manufacturer can deliver on this.

Find out more about Luceco here

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OSRAM is joining forces with Red Arrow’s RA PRO range as the UK-based lighting manufacturer becomes the partner of choice and exclusive licensed distributor of OSRAM Professional General Lighting luminaires.

OSRAM’s range of luminaires will complement those manufactured and distributed by RA PRO, with standout OSRAM products including the Pursos Floodlight and the LEDTouch Cylinder Downlight.

For Graham Lewis, Sales Director at Red Arrow, the partnership represents a natural pairing:

“RA PRO is excited to showcase its luminaires alongside OSRAM’s Professional luminaires, and both ranges have been manufactured with the intention of promoting excellence.

“The OSRAM and RA PRO ranges complement each other in many ways, with a seven year warranty and a two year on-site warranty being a benchmark of the RA PRO range.

Working together in collaboration will bring a new strong partnership into the lighting marketplace that above all, values the lit environment.”

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Light pollution is a huge issue across the globe, affecting ecosystems, human health, the environment and astronomical study. Lighting designer, Chris Anderson from Ansell Lighting, explores this issue in more detail, highlighting how wholesalers can support the industry to turn this problem around.

Light pollution is a significant problem in countries throughout the world with approximately eight out of 10 people now living under light-polluted night sky. The result of excessive, overly bright, ineffectively shielded and badly directed outdoor lighting, it is causing a wealth of issues to the world around us.

Negative impact

Disturbing ecosystems and wildlife, light pollution is interfering with natural behaviours – especially amongst nocturnal species, who rely on natural darkness for hunting and navigating. Light pollution is also making observation of the stars and planets difficult as it obscures visibility and the natural beauty of the night sky.

It is also having an adverse effect on human health, and has been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms, hormonal imbalances, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Excessive and misdirected outdoor lighting can also create glare, which can be especially problematic for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, increasing the risk of accidents and decreasing overall safety. Light pollution is also readily contributing to climate change, with excessive and unnecessary amounts of energy being used to power installations across the globe.

Tackling the issue

Whilst one solution would be to simply switch the lights out at night, outdoor lighting is something most civilisations cannot live without. Essential for safety, security, work and recreation during hours of darkness, without it many other significant problems would impact society.

Instead, the lighting industry – including every group from manufacturers to wholesalers, designers and installers – must focus on clever design and implementation to combat the issue.

Many manufacturers, including we, have already committed to ensuring new product designs are developed with light pollution in mind. Collaborating with the Dark Sky Association (IDA) manufacturers are following stringent guidelines to ensure that all new innovations are dark-sky friendly, designing luminaires that are fully shielded and emit minimal amounts of blue light and glare in the night time environment.

To recognise the efforts being made, the IDA has even developed the Fixture Seal of Approval programme, a product accreditation scheme which acknowledges responsible product design and manufacturing.

To support efforts to reduce light pollution, wholesalers should look out for products with this accreditation when selecting outdoor ranges to stock. Increasing the availability of these items will ensure their use is more widespread – supporting moves to tackle light pollution.

Educating installers on the problems caused by light pollution and how to avoid it is also hugely important. Working together, wholesalers and manufacturers can support installers to recognise the issues at hand and the simple changes that can be made to cut light pollution. This process should begin with the commonly recognised ‘Dark Sky Design’ best practice design principles.

The five principles

There are a total of five principles that installers and lighting designers should follow and consider to protect the night sky when designing and installing outdoor lighting. The first is that light should be USEFUL. It should have a clear purpose and benefit, and installers should be encouraged to consider whether individual luminaires are actually needed. Thought should also be given to how the fitting will impact the specific area and whether it will have a negative impact on any wildlife in the local environment.

The second principal is that light should be TARGETED; illuminating only the area needed and not impacting on neighbouring spaces. The third principle specifies that illumination should be at a LOW LEVEL, providing only the desired level of illuminance and nothing more. Glare and skyglow should also be considered within this, with installers reminded to consider the ground surface as some may reflect more light into the sky than intended.

CONTROL is the fourth principle and another important element in the design of low-polluting lighting installations. Systems should be completely controllable and only switched ‘on’ when they are useful. Products which have integral control, such as dimmable functionality, selectable colour temperature and selectable power function are a must as they can be set to optimise colour, performance, and energy usage. Integral electronic photocell, microwave sensor and smart options are also recommended, ensuring products are only in use exactly when they are needed.

Finally, the COLOUR of the lamps is hugely important in reducing light pollution. A warmer colour with a CCT of 3000K or less should be used as they have a lower blue-violet component.

Products

Aside from the five Dark Sky Design principals, installers also need to be made aware of the importance of careful product selection and the benefits/properties of those chosen. Alongside IDA approved products, it’s important that installers select robust luminaires with optics that combine advanced lens technology and enhanced glare control designs. These products, alongside shielded designs, will ensure a minimal amount of light is given off upward, preventing light pollution. A fixed mounting system is also advisable, helping to ensure that light is distributed in line with photometric testing.

Light pollution is a very real issue affecting our planet and it is important that action is taken immediately to reduce its negative impact. The changes required are simple and straightforward to implement but their adoption is dependent on heightening awareness of the issue and how it can be avoided. By highlighting responsible outdoor lighting practices, using shielded fixtures, implementing proper light control measures, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural darkness, installers can be supported to adopt responsible outdoor lighting practices and create lighting systems that reduce light pollution.

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