Firms vying for LED market

By Qiu Quanlin in Guangzhou (China Daily) Updated: 2014-06-14 07:25

A LED product on show at an exhibition in Guangzhou. Lighting firms are turning to smart solutions like light-emitting diode products to sustain growth in China's rapidly growing lighting market. Provided to China Daily

A growing number of domestic and overseas lighting manufacturers are turning to smart solutions like light-emitting diode products to sustain growth in China's rapidly growing lighting market, the top executive of a global lighting major said.

"LEDs are increasingly being used for commercial and home purposes in China and this has ensured sustained business growth for companies. However, the industry will soon have to brace for changes, as smart lighting solutions that can be integrated with the Internet will drive demand in the future, said Eric Rondolat, chief executive officer of Philips Lighting.

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"We are leading the way for a lighting market that will depend on smart Internet solutions for business growth," Rondolat said.

Philips, a global leader in lighting, displayed its latest products that highlight state-of-the-art Internet connected lighting systems available for home and outdoor applications during the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition, which opened on Monday in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong province.

Comprehensive smart lighting management software can deliver targeted, intelligent illumination, and help reduce costs by providing the right light at the right place and at the right time, as well as enable users to tailor lighting systems according to their preferences via mobile apps, Rondolat said.

"Smart solutions, which enhance the lighting experiences of users at home, or in offices and other public places, will be the next big trend for the LED industry," he said.

Philips and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, the Chinese e-commerce giant, have signed a memorandum of understanding, under which Alibaba will provide Philips with a cloud computing service and also provide smart lighting products to Chinese customers, according to Tommy Leong, president of Philips Lighting (Greater China).