Deco Lighting, a U.S. based lighting manufacturer, is advising Mayors,
Planners, Engineers, Energy Managers, and Public Works Directors of
cities, towns and municipalities throughout the U.S. to research and
carefully select a legitimate, reputable manufacturer for new
streetlights they plan to purchase with ARRA (American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act 2009) funds received from U.S. government stimulus
programs. Enacted by the U.S. Congress in February 2009, the total
Stimulus Recovery Act measures are worth $787 billion, with $47 billion
allocated for infrastructure, including public building, transportation,
and repair, and $40 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy
programs.
U.S. Cities receiving ARRA funds can be fooled by Induction lighting
companies who use Chinese-made Induction lamps and generators they
private label from unreliable overseas suppliers, claim to be ¿Buy
American¿ compliant and market their streetlights at very low prices to
capture ARRA-funded projects, according to Deco Lighting. Some U.S.
cities have already made the wrong decision. After installation,
numerous cases of component failures, misleading warranties,
non-compliance with ¿Buy American¿ provisions, and Induction technology
patent infringement have been reported, and are under federal
investigation. U.S. city officials are often unaware of these problems
when project bids are awarded and the company with the lowest price for
new streetlights is selected.
¿There are a number of Induction lighting companies who have made a
business in the streetlighting market with overseas components they
simply put their label on, with no legitimate manufacturing facilities,
no engineering, no testing capabilities, and no proven history of
Induction lighting installations in the U.S.,¿ says Sam Sinai, VP of
Deco Lighting. ¿It is common knowledge in the U.S. lighting industry who
these Induction lighting companies are, how they mislead and market
their products. Unfortunately, many U.S. city officials and their
engineers don¿t know and need to be made aware.¿
Mr. Sinai commented on the ARRA streetlighting bidding process: ¿In this
tough economy, contractors often present bids using the lowest price
Induction streetlights to win the overall project installation.
Contractors and city officials need to verify the Induction lighting
company chosen has a track record of installations in the U.S. with
proven Induction technology of 100,000 hour life expectancy. These
decision- makers should choose companies that utilize brand name
Induction lamps, such as SYLVANIA ICETRON® from manufacturer OSRAM
SYLVANIA. Some of these Induction lighting companies are using the same
overseas Chinese manufacturer and simply applying their own label. The
most important questions responsible city engineers and officials should
ask the lighting company is: Who makes your Induction lamp & generator?
Where do we go to obtain replacement lamps and generators? China?¿
For the cities and municipalities that purchase complete streetlights or
retrofit kits from these companies selling Chinese Induction technology,
the risks can be disastrous when problems occur. These companies and
their Chinese component suppliers often go out of business, replacement
components may not be available, and the limited warranties they offer
may not cover parts and labor. Cities and municipalities can face the
real risk of needing complete streetlighting replacement after
committing their ARRA funds to purchase low quality streetlights from
low priced, unproven companies.
¿Many cities have HID cobrahead streetlights that have been installed
for 30 years or more, and are now upgrading to new Induction technology
fixtures for the substantial energy and maintenance savings,¿ adds Mr.
Sinai. ¿Unlike HID lamps and ballasts used in these cobraheads,
Induction lamps & generators vary in design and are not interchangeable
between different manufacturers. It¿s common sense that any new
Induction streetlights should have easily obtainable lamps & generators
for replacement. Reputable, brand name Induction lamps & generators are
readily available from local electrical distributors. Private label
Induction components from Chinese manufacturers may not be available
when it¿s time for replacement. What does a city do if they are
confronted with a critical loss of streetlighting, citizen safety and
transportation, and possible lawsuits if they can¿t obtain lamps &
generators for their new Induction streetlights?¿
Deco Lighting partners with SYLVANIA for all their Induction
streetlighting. SYLVANIA is a long time supplier of proprietary
Induction technology lamps and generators. With cutting edge luminaire
design, Deco Lighting¿s partnership with SYLVANIA assures municipalities
that they are obtaining high quality, high performance Induction
streetlights backed by reliable, long term customer service and parts
replacement. Proven experience includes Deco Lighting¿s Induction
streetlighting in numerous municipal, commercial and military
installations throughout the U.S., and SYLVANIA¿s leadership in
Induction technology for the past 10 years. Deco Lighting Induction
streetlights comply with the ¿Buy American¿ program provisions of the
ARRA and the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), are listed by NEMA
(National Electrical Manufacturers Association) as recommended ARRA
compliant fixtures, and are backed by a 10 year warranty that covers
both parts and labor.
Deco Lighting is a division of Deco Enterprises, a diversified
corporation in business for over 50 years in the lighting industry. Deco
Lighting is a leading manufacturer changing the world of lighting with
the latest green technology, energy saving lighting and controls,
including many award-winning exclusive designs. Deco Lighting products
are proven in architectural, commercial, municipal, military and
government installations throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Deco
Lighting¿s extensive product line includes architectural and commercial
indoor fluorescent, Induction, HID, LED, Solar, Dark Sky friendly
outdoor luminaires, exit & emergency fixtures, and lighting controls.
For more information visit www.getdeco.com
e-mail: info@getdeco.com, phone:
310-366-6866.
