Acuity Brands Buys Sunoptics to Expand in Prismatic Daylight Harvesting Products

March 11, 2011
Lighting fixture manufacturer Acuity Brands Inc., Atlanta, made a move into the market for daylighting products with the acquisition of Sunoptics, Sacramento, Calif

Lighting fixture manufacturer Acuity Brands Inc., Atlanta, made a move into the market for daylighting products with the acquisition of Sunoptics, Sacramento, Calif. Financial details of the cash deal were not disclosed.

Sunoptics’ prismatic skylights have been used to illuminate over one billion square feet of space worldwide since the company’s founding in 1978. Retailers such as Best Buy, The Home Depot, Kroger and Wal-Mart have installed Sunoptics’ products, the company said. Sunoptics will continue operations in its existing facility.

The move gives Acuity a new alternative for energy-efficient lighting using, essentially, no power. Acuity’s market access promises to expand Sunoptics’ reach into new markets, though the companies have partnered for years on integrating Sunoptics’ products into Acuity’s lighting controls.

“Nothing is more sustainable or energy-efficient than using daylight to light a space,” said Vernon Nagel, Acuity’s chairman, president and CEO. “The acquisition of Sunoptics allows us to manage the visual environment using natural daylight.”

Nagel further highlighted opportunities to integrate daylight with other efficient technologies such as LED-based luminaires and intelligent lighting control.

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