Companies Continue Their Transformation in 2019

Many companies of the LED industry initiated their organization or business restructuring since 2018 and their rebuilding have come to an end in 2019. In 2018, we have seen companies announcing sales of their old lighting business and diving into new areas. By the end of 2019, most of the companies are ready to enter a new page with the coming 5G connection and more.

Again LEDinside would like to wrap up the year with some of the significant events in the past year.

1. Cree Concentrates on GaN-on-Sic Products, Cutting Lighting Business

Cree has been shifting its business focus to Wolfspeed which provides SiC and GaN power and RF solutions in recent year. And this year it officially quitted its lighting business.

Cree announced the sale of the lighting business to Ideal Industry in March and completed the transfer in May, 2019. Meanwhile, it reported a US$ 1 billion investment for expanding its SiC capacity with the plan to build a new manufacturing facility in New York.

(Image: Cree)

The company is providing its wafers to On Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics based on their long term partnership.

2. Osram Sold to AMS and Its Digital Lighting Unit May not Keep

In December 2019, Austrian sensor company finally succeed in taking over Osram.

The buyout rumors of Osram started in the end of 2018 with private equities Carlyle and Bain revealed their interests. In 2019, the buyout became a bidding war with AMS and Advent joining and Carlyle quitting. And in AMS’ second attempt, Osram found its buyer after a year of business decrease.

AMS aims to combine Osram’s automotive technology and its expertise in sensing technology to focus on the market of autonomous driving. Thus, the digital lighting business of Osram will probably not stay with the new direction. However, the two companies are still processing the merger and the final result is expected in the second half of 2020.

3. Signify Acquires Cooper Lighting and Launches LiFi Brand

After changing its name to Signify, the world’s largest lighting company continue to expand and develop innovative lighting applications.

Signify acquired Wi-Fi Connected, a lighting software solution developer in April and purchased 51% share of Chinese Klite Lighting in July. Later in October, it announced the acquisition of Cooper Lighting Solution, the lighting business originally own by power company Eaton. The Dutch company is building up its own supply chain for smart lighting by integrating connected lighting solutions and luminaire manufacture.

(Image: Signify)

Signify also launched its LiFi brand, Trulifi, to open up a new option for connected lighting applications. It has partnered with telecom company Vodafone for the combination of 5G and LiFi while collaborated with aircraft producer and buses interior system developer to include LiFi system in public transportation.

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