Thorn and Zumtobel UK & Ireland, lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group, presented a cheque for over £42,000 to Cancer Research UK at their annual sales conference on 23rd May 2025. Football legend Kevin Keegan, special guest at the conference, joined Managing Director Paul Kilburn in presenting the cheque — underscoring the teams’ dedication to supporting pioneering cancer research and the patients and families it benefits.

Over the last financial year, employees organised a range of initiatives, including “duvet days”, festive cake sales, and a Christmas jumper day in exchange for donations. In the spring, around 30 Thorn and Zumtobel employees (joined by friends and family) participated in the London Race for Life. A company contribution further boosted the total funds raised to £42,828.40.

Paul Kilburn, Managing Director, Thorn and Zumtobel Lighting UK & Ireland commented:

“We’re incredibly proud of our teams for their enthusiasm and commitment. Every duvet day taken and every mile run in London has directly contributed to this significant donation. Presenting the cheque at our conference is a highlight, and we’re excited to see the impact these funds will have on vital research.“

“We’re immensely grateful to Thorn and Zumtobel for their incredible support. Donations like these help us push forward with life-saving research and bring us closer to our vision that people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer,” added Jan Leafe, Relationship Manager, Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK served as Thorn and Zumtobel’s chosen charity partner for the 2024–25 financial year.

Find more industry news here

The post Thorn and Zumtobel raise funds for Cancer Research UK appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Zumtobel and its sister brand, Thorn, both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group, have been instrumental in enhancing the lighting solutions at Kao Data’s state-of-the-art campus.

The brand’s highly efficient lighting solutions have played a critical role in ensuring the campus meets its high standards of energy efficiency, operational resilience, and environmental responsibility. 

A hub of innovation 

Kao Data leads the data centre industry with a focus on AI and advanced computing. Situated strategically between Cambridge and London, the 15-acre campus is built on the historical site of Sir Charles Kao’s groundbreaking discovery of fibre optic cable in 1966. With over £230 million investment, the campus houses four cutting-edge, carrier-neutral data centres designed to support an IT load of 40MW, all powered by 100% renewable energy. The campus, which can expand to accommodate an IT load of 83MW, is a testament to the UK’s position as a global leader in data infrastructure.

The lighting project

The lighting installation at the Kao Data centres was executed in multiple phases, starting with the KLON01 data centre project in 2019 and extending through to the KLON02 data centre and the ongoing KLON03 data centre projects. Each phase has been meticulously designed to align with Kao Data’s vision of a sustainable and technologically advanced environment. Zumtobel and Thorn, in collaboration with JCA Engineering and MEIT Consultants, provided a tailored lighting solution that not only enhances the visual appeal of the spaces but also contributes to the campus’s low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.2 — a benchmark in energy efficiency.

Objectives

The primary objective of the project was to implement a lighting system that maximises energy efficiency while maintaining the high operational standards required by a data centre. Kao Data sought to integrate a solution that would provide optimum lighting for technical spaces, reduce energy consumption, and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, the project aimed to enhance the facility’s aesthetic quality, reflecting Kao Data’s innovative spirit.

The future-proof scheme

Zumtobel’s TECTON continuous-row luminaire system, the backbone of the scheme, was chosen for its superior performance, sustainability, and flexibility. TECTON is known for its long lifespan, excellent glare control, and high luminous efficacy, maintaining 95% of its efficacy even after ten years of continuous operation. Thorn Lighting’s Aquaforce Pro vapourproof battens complemented TECTON for back-of-house areas, ForceLED vapourproof battens for external gantries, Omega Pro 2 panels in the offices, and Chalice downlights in toilets and stairways.

The TECTON system’s modular design allowed for seamless integration of emergency lighting and sensors in the data halls, making it an ideal choice for a dynamic and future-proof environment like Kao Data. The lighting solution not only met but exceeded the stringent sustainability standards, contributing to the campus’s BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification.

Results and benefits

The collaboration between Kao Data, JCA Engineering, MEIT Consultants, Zumtobel and Thorn has resulted in a lighting solution that optimally supports the data centre’s operations while significantly reducing energy consumption when compared to older and less efficient solutions. The use of Zumtobel’s TECTON system has ensured that the lighting is not only energy-efficient but sustainable as the system is reusable and can be upgraded through the lifetime of the product the project, making it highly adaptable to the changing needs of the data centre environment.

The efficiency benefits continue in the Thorn luminaires used in the white space areas. The project’s success is reflected in the campus’s recognition as one of the top business environments in East Anglia, as well as its ranking among the UK’s most advanced and sustainable data centres.

Mike Tamblingson, Operations Director from Kao Data, expressed his satisfaction with the lighting upgrade: “Partnering with Zumtobel and Thorn, has been a factor in achieving our sustainability and operational goals at Kao Data. The TECTON lighting system’s high performance and adaptability have ensured that our data centres not only meet but exceed industry standards for energy efficiency and operational excellence. Zumtobel and Thorn’s, commitment to quality and innovation has truly made a difference in our ongoing mission to provide world-class data services.”

Looking forward

As Kao Data continues to expand its campus with the completion of the KLON03 building in 2025, Zumtobel and Thorn remain a trusted partners in delivering lighting solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and aligned with the latest technological advancements.

Ed Haslett, Divisional Director for Critical Facilities Zumtobel Group UK&I, commented: “Walking around the Harlow campus, you can see the care and attention that Kao and their project partners have taken to build a world class facility. I’m proud of the part we have played here. Our luminaires have precisely lit the spaces, especially in the technical suites. By using the right output and distribution beams, you can see that we have lit the racks very efficiently so the engineers can see exactly what they are working on at all times. These are the types of projects that Zumtobel and Thorn, excel in delivering, and we look forward to working on the upcoming Kao projects in Harlow and Manchester.”

For more on the products used, click here

Find more industry features here

The post Case Study: Zumtobel and Thorn enhance the lighting solutions at state-of-the-art campus appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Zumtobel has introduced a direct current variant in its popular TECTON continuous row lighting system. This move not only promotes the use of DC networks but also unlocks the full potential of renewable energy.

In the era of sustainability, the innovative TECTON DC continuous-row lighting system from Zumtobel is a game-changer. By harnessing energy from local renewable sources without conversion losses, it offers companies a more sustainable lighting solution. Energy-intensive industrial sectors, in particular, can look forward to up to four per cent additional energy savings with the direct current version.

When renewable energy sources are used, fluctuations in the mains voltage can never be eliminated. However, industrial plants rely on a fail-safe power supply and reliable lighting to ensure uninterrupted production. TECTON DC can be fitted with a battery buffer and an emergency light function to address this. This means that the light line can compensate for power failures or fluctuations in the mains supply, improving safety in industrial applications. Like the time-tested alternating current version, TECTON DC also offers the option of infinitely variable power tapping along the entire length of the continuous row. A unique safety concept ensures that the assembly and installation of the lighting unit are completely safe, even at a high voltage of 650 volts.

TECTON DC is equally suitable for retrofitting or as a next generation standalone luminaire. Conversion is straightforward, so existing TECTON users can benefit from improved sustainability and safety in their operations with little effort.

For more information, click here

The post Zumtobel | Lighting System appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.