Cree introduces 10-year LED lighting warranty

LED chip, lamp and lighting fixture maker Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA has introduced a 10-year limited warranty on nearly all new Cree commercial LED lighting fixtures."Cree continually pushes the limits on LED lighting innovation," said Doug Knisely, director of building and petroleum construction, Sheetz, Inc. "The new warranty further validates our decision to use Cree LED lighting. Industry leading energy efficiency, lifetime performance and quality make Cree LED lighting a smart choice.""With leading LED research and development, a strong financial balance sheet and some of the industry's longest-running field LED lighting installations, the new 10-year limited warranty underscores Cree's commitment to the long-term performance and reliability of our products," said Ty Mitchell, executive vice president, lighting, Cree. "Added to the energy savings LEDs offer over traditional technologies, this warranty is a win-win for everyone."
The 10-year warranty covers nearly all Cree globally available commercial-grade indoor and outdoor fixtures, which can be installed in restaurants, offices, hospitals, grocery stores, shopping malls, schools and universities, auto dealerships, roadways, parking facilities, gas stations and many other commercial spaces.Taiwan-based LED light guide plate maker Global Lighting Technologies (GLT), in view of growing demand for light guide plates used in large-size LED-backlit TVs, will invest NT$300 million (US$10.1 million) to expand production capacity in Taiwan and China by 30% in total, according to company chairman Lee Mang-shiang.
GLT will add another production line to the three at its factory in Taiwan and add two lines to make seven in total at its factory in southern China. The three additional lines are scheduled to come online in the first quarter of 2013, Lee indicated.GLT has begun production of light guide plates for use in 55-inch LED-backlit TVs, and models for 60-inch TVs are under certification by Sharp. The company is developing models for use in 70-inch TVs with shipments likely to begin in November or December 2012, Lee pointed out. In addition, GLT plans to supply Taiwan-based TV panel maker AU Optronics (AUO) with light guide plates for use in 65-inch TVs, Lee noted.With production capacity fully utilized currently, GLT ships 600,000-700,000 TV-use light guide plates a month. In addition, GLT expects its shipments of light guide plates used in luminous keyboards in 2013 to grow by 15-20% from 2012, Lee said. GLT has also started small-volume shipments of car-use light guide plates.GLT expects light guide plates used in TVs and luminous keyboards to account for over 30% and 40%, respectively, of 2012 revenues, LED products for up to 10% and light guide plates for other uses for 10-20%, Lee indicated.