LED portfolio in the consumer segment

It’s reported that French Center for Building Science and Technology (CSTB), major French academic lighting laboratories and the French branch of Philips Lighting has formed a R&D program to research and promote the optimal use of LEDs in buildings.The CITADEL program will develop measurement protocols and benchmarking analyses of LEDs, and methods to assess the aging and life expectancy of LED lighting products, according to Christophe Martinsons, head of the Lighting, Electricity and Electromagnetism Division of the CSTB.Usha Shriram's mission is to position its LED portfolio in the consumer segment and launch them at more compelling rates than the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) range. LED lighting products are more energy efficient than CFL items.

Usha Shriram assistant vice president S. S. Sandhu said LED lighting products will be launched in 2009-10. They are studying the market and talking to LED lighting product makers across Europe to import and market them under their brandname.Mr Sandhu noted LED products are largely used in the commercial segment. But they plan to price them in a manner to position them as an alternative to CFL.The LED lighting product market is still at a nascent stage in India. As per industry estimates, its share is some 2-3% in the Rs 5,000 crore Indian lighting industry. Usha Shriram entered the lighting business two years ago as a future growth driver with CFL products. The company's primary revenue source is still small appliances like water purifier, juicer, mixer and water heaters.

Company President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Ruud says the collapse of the construction industry forced the actions. He says the company is restructuring and the layoffs are considered permanent.The privately owned Ruud Lighting, 9201 Highway 20, makes lighting fixtures for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential settings. The dearth of construction work during the recession has sapped sales, Ruud says.