Acuity Boosts Offerings in Lighting Control with Acquisition of Horizon Control

Acuity Brands, Conyers, Ga., is continuing to acquire companies to build on its core competencies as a total solution provider in the lighting market. The company announced on Aug. 16 that it has acquired Horizon Control Inc., Gainesville, Ga., a lighting control research and development company specializing in PC-based lighting control systems. Professional lighting designers and integrators use Horizon Control technology in lighting control consoles worldwide for theaters, theme parks, convention centers, hotels, museums, cruise ships and numerous other public spaces.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Horizon Control adds architectural and entertainment expertise to Acuity’s existing lighting control offerings, which include brands such as Sensor Switch, Lighting Control & Design, Synergy, Simply5, Roam, nLight and Dark to Light.

Acuity is approaching lighting control as a key competency needed to make the most of emerging solid-state lighting technologies that depend on control to deliver maximum benefits. Acuity said it’s looking to Horizon Control as much for its development expertise as for its existing market presence.

“The rapid expansion of LED lighting and other emerging technologies makes integrated lighting control increasingly pivotal in our ability to deliver high-quality, customer-focused solutions,” said Vernon Nagel, Acuity’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, in the company’s press release announcing the acquisition. “We are excited to bring this talented and proven development team onboard to accelerate the company’s ability to deliver superior products to the market.”

Joining Acuity gives Horizon Control access to more resources and an expanded customer base.

“We are thrilled to have joined the Acuity Brands team,” said Alan Martello, founder of Horizon Control. “Our extensive background in lighting control combined with the talents and resources within Acuity Brands creates a synergy that enables us to deliver advanced products providing a superior customer experience.”

The entire Horizon Control team has joined Acuity Brands, including Philip Nye, former chief engineer at DHA Lighting and principal of Engineering Arts; Robert Bell, founder of CAST Lighting; and Wally Russell, award winner for his contribution to lighting control visualization systems.

The Horizon Control team has been involved in the development of ANSI protocols for standardizing and simplifying lighting controls for theatrical applications, according to a 2005 white paper on its “Abstract Control Model.”