Acuity Digs Deeper into Lighting Networks, Controls with Acquisition and Partnership

Acuity Brands Inc., Atlanta, will buy Canadian automation and energy management company Distech Controls Inc. for $252.8 million. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Sensity Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., to develop a smart, connected platform for the “Internet of Things.”

Under the latter deal, Acuity will be a Sensity NetSense Partner, allowing it to add capabilities to its lighting systems to capture and transmit data near real-time, enabling a broad array of applications and services including camera networks for security and surveillance and real-time video analytics that “turns cameras not into mere recording devices but into high-value sensors,” according to Sensity’s website.

Acuity will market the smart lighting solutions to cities, commercial and retail buildings, airports and universities with a focus on improving energy conservation, public services, safety and security, parking, and a wide variety of other applications, said an Acuity release. Acuity Brands and Sensity are already in the process of implementing commercial deployments with select customers, and will have demonstrations at Lightfair in May.

Acuity Brands and Sensity also said they expect their joint solution to “advance the goals of the U.S. Department of Energy`s Presidential Challenge for Advanced Outdoor Lighting. As part of the DOE`s Better Buildings Initiative program, the Presidential Challenge aims to work with municipalities to upgrade 1.5 million U.S. street lights to high-efficiency LEDs over the next two years.

“An integrated platform that provides energy-efficient LED lighting with a sensor network to capture and transmit near real-time data will further enhance the business case for LED luminaire installations,” said Vernon Nagel, chairman, president and CEO of Acuity Brands. “We are delighted to be partnering with Sensity on a solution that has the promise to transform the outdoor lighting industry.”

Quebec-based Distech, with annual sales of about $56 million, would give Acuity more to offer in intelligent building and energy management systems. Distech’s products are used to integrate lighting, HVAC, access control, closed circuit television and related systems.

“The acquisition of Distech Controls is part of our strategy to offer true end-to-end optimization of all aspects of the building for enhanced occupant experience, quality visual environment, seamless operation, energy efficiency, operational cost reductions, and increased digital functionality,” said Nagel, in a release.

Distech will join Acuity’s basket of brands that includes Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting, Winona Lighting, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Carandini, Antique Street Lamps, Sunoptics, RELOC Wiring Solutions, Acculamp, eldoLED and Acuity Controls.

Etienne Veilleux, founder, president and CEO of Distech Controls, said, “Both our organizations share a very similar vision and passion for the success of our customers and employees. Our core expertise in integrating building systems through software and services perfectly complements Acuity’s broad portfolio of lighting solutions. We look forward to utilizing the resources of our combined businesses to accelerate intelligent building automation and energy management solutions into the market.”

Distech Controls serves multiple market segments through its worldwide business divisions, service offices and a network of Authorized Partners.