The late partnership between Acuity Brands and Hort Americas marks a novel chapter in horticulture dismount for the two companies , one center on advancing technology and ameliorate push efficiency . With Acuity Brands ' accomplishment of the Arize ® family of gardening lighting product in January , the company expanded its presence in controlled environment agriculture .
Jacob Palombo , director of horticulture lighting at Acuity Brands , and Chris Higgins , president and general manager of Hort Americas , are cardinal player in this initiative . The quislingism between both companies aim to bring sophisticated lighting solutions and raw technology to the grocery store , leveraging Acuity Brands ' posture as North America ’s largest inflammation manufacturer .
" Indoor gardening is firmly aligned with where we want to concentrate as a company — the carrefour of engineering science and sustainability , " say Palombo . " Our overarching end is to use technology to solve problems in light and distance [ and more things to amount ] for our customers , communities , and our satellite . We consider and understand the growing grandness of indoor gardening in today ’s world and the purpose it plays in our communities . We have a strong focus on sustainability and using technology to contract our carbon footprint for both our commercial enterprise and our customers . Indoor gardening lines up with this in a major way . "
Acuity Brands launched their horticulture lighting - focused brand , Verjure , a few years ago , and were looking to increase its mien and concenter at the right clock time . With the addition of the Arize ® product into their portfolio , they feel well positioned to support every indoor horticulture software .
" Our next programme will be to leverage our strong stress on innovation , timbre , and invent to continue to build upon these platforms and take performance and reliability to the next story to cope with customer needs , " Paolombo sum .
" At Hort Americas , we understand the need to scale to compete in the global horticulture LED raise light industry , " Higgins annotate . " Therefore , it made sentience for us to partner with North America ’s largest go light manufacturer . This partnership , combined with the products offer up by Acuity Brands , will bet a key role in enhancing greenhouse connectivity , peculiarly as AI boost and value increase for extra sensors .
" Also , by leveraging Acuity Brands ' advanced technology , Hort Americas is strengthening its merchandise offerings . At the same time , we ’re able to raise our customer Robert William Service and support capabilities as the exclusive distributer for Arize ® firing . "
An enlightened collaborationGrowers call for a lighting partner they can trust from both a performance and reliability standpoint . They also need to do it their lighting troupe will be around to service their pauperism and stand behind the product .
" Being the big kindling manufacturing business in North America with some of the most sure and most distinguish brands , we feel we can be that pardner of option , " Palombo said . " We feel the grower will have peace of thinker with a product warrantee backed by Acuity Brands . caliber and reliability are at the vanguard of everything we do . Also , by producing much of our portfolio in North America , we can service our client quickly and faithfully , with scale to back any opportunity . "
" This partnership allows Hort Americas to extend ply top - quality production , backed by a strong warranty that give growers peace of mind . Together , we ’re also able of scale quickly and modify to meet market demands , " Higgins said .
At the same time , both companies are do a strong effort to elevate sustainability in horticulture .
" We ’re committed to environmental stewardship , which is reflected in Acuity ’s EarthLIGHT deputation that promotes eco - friendly exercise within the horticulture light industriousness , " Higgins added . " This demonstrates a dedication to sustainability that benefits both growers and the planet . " The first step is complement by Hort Americas tailored client service and industry knowledge . This is especially authoritative as need rise for more efficient and effective horticulture lighting solutions .
Advancing the LED spaceAcuity Brands has been active in lighting for decades , having a significant impact on foundation in the LED infinite .
" Part of what we bring to this industry is decade of experience in design and producing reliable and high - execute lead lighting design , include driver , optics , electro - mechanical design , wakeful railway locomotive design , and controls , " Palombo explained . " We are specially excited to reach out our Brobdingnagian capabilities in wireless lighting control to our new portfolio . We offer wireless controls and construction management systems that are robust and scalable and equal to of not only master the light but also creating smarter blank space and integrate with other systems . "
Higgins note how instrumental Acuity Brands was in advancing the light-emitting diode blank space , particularly when it comes to integrating wireless technology and overbold infinite construct into light-emitting diode fixture . " The advancements in LED fixture by Acuity Brands — including enhanced efficiency , light tone , and controller capabilities — profit agriculturist in way that can ameliorate works growth and takings . These are important design for drive the industry forward because they enable more accurate and sustainable growing practices , " Higgins guide out .
Lighting sustainabilityAcuity ’s EarthLIGHT sustainability programme is based on three pillars : centre on minimizing carbon footmark and help customers improve theirs , gain a positive impact on community , and operating with integrity and transparency . All of this led Acuity to be a fully C - neutral company , according to Palombo .
" Acuity Brands is 100 % carbon neutral through a compounding of our carbon reduction measures at our operations and offsetting measures , " he explained . " In FY22 , we contributed to 100,000,000 metric tons of carbon copy avoidance through LED and control sales . "
EarthLIGHT is about being good stewards of the environment , and Acuity Brands feels this is strongly aligned with indoor horticulture .
This is a sentiment that Higgins and Hort Americas full apportion .
" Hort Americas will continue to only mate with companies pull to sustainability and transparentness , even though the industry continues to debate the conception and value of sustainability , Higgins said .
" The fact remains there ’s a strong requirement for sustainable solution in the horticulture manufacture . Lighting , in particular , is of the essence to sustainable farming practices , underlining the importance of developing solutions that support eco - well-disposed and efficient outgrowth .
Future lightingThe horti world advances constantly . light-emitting diode are no exception . Once the Cinderella of fixtures , they have gained a prominent status among growers – even among those who did n’t believe in light-emitting diode .
" We believe the indoor horticulture lighting market will continue to develop and acquire , and technology will lead the way . light will continue to become more efficacious , and more optimized for the plants and environs they are designed to attend to , and loose to ascertain , " Palombo point out . " We are excited to assist lead this translation , as we find we are unambiguously position to drive and top this change with our Intelligent Spaces Group of Acuity Brands . "
Higgins persist in to see develop interest in wireless dimming and incorporate sensors , reflecting the diligence ’s forward motion toward more advanced and adaptable technologies . He said advancements such as these signaling a move toward more customizable lighting result . “Preparations to meet these evolving demand require continuous innovation and adaptation to customer expectations , " Higgins added . " industriousness standards are likely to change too . We ’re making certain that our offerings stay at the cutting edge of technology and sustainability in gardening lighting . "
For more information : Hort AmericasChris Higgins , CEO[email protected]www.hortamericas.com
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