THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Philips sees bright future for LED

Philips sees bright future for LED

Philips Electronics is optimistic on the continuing growth of the LED lighting market in Asia as seen by its rising popularity globally, said Olivier Piccolin, senior vice president and general manger of lighting for emerging markets.

In the fourth quarter, Philips LED- based sales grew by 37 per cent compared to the same period last year, representing some 18 per cent of total lighting sales.

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are a key contributor of growth for Philips. Their popularity continues to rise as quality and performance including lighting intensity, colour rendering and affordability are improved to meet users’ requirements.
Moreover, LED lighting can open new markets that conventional lighting has been unable to access. LED retrofit lamps are designed to replace current lamps without costly infrastructure changes, while they are easy to design, so they are compatible with different types of applications.
“In Asian countries, the popularity of LEDs comes from demand for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions from most public and private agencies,” Piccolin said. “LED lighting solutions are one of the key factors that can help them to meet demands to be environmentally conscious.
“LEDs can help save energy by up to 80 per cent, with longer lifetimes and ease of use. For example, if a hotel changes one lighting spot by substituting 10-watt LED lamps for the previous halogen 50-watts, it automatically saves 80 per cent of electrical usage.”
During 29 February to March2, From Wednesday until yesterday, Philips held a conference for its Asia-Pacific original-equipment-manufacturing customers, inviting them to experience the company’s new LED solutions and confirming the rising trend of LED lighting in Asia.
Piccolin said Japan had the highest LED penetration in Asia, contributing about 50 per cent of Philips Lighting Japan’s sales, because after the tsunami disaster last year much of the government and private sectors are pushing ahead on saving energy. Other markets with high penetration rates are Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. The rate is not quite as high in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Thanakron Wongwises, general manger of the lighting sector, Philips Electronics (Thailand), said the growth pattern of LED lighting started with business usage for energy savings and LEDs’ long-lasting advantages. This is seen by an increase in the number of Philips’ customers from restaurant-chain, hotel and retail operators such as Tesco Talad, MK Suki and Fuji Restaurant. For example, Tesco Talad has replaced its fluorescent tubes in 300 freezer cabinets with Philips LEDs. This switch alone could save Bt2 million a year.
Another example is that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has selected Philips GreenVision LEDs to upgrade its road lighting at Srinakarin Dam. This will reduce energy consumption by about 80 per cent.
Philips Thailand sees growth potential for LEDs in consumer luminaire products.
In the Kingdom, the total lighting market is worth about Bt7 billion and is growing by about 4 per cent annually. The market share of LED lighting is estimated at 12 per cent and expected to increase to 45-50 per cent by 2015.
Piccolin said Philips’ strategy on LEDs was to make it easy for people to switch. “Therefore, it’s our job to provide the appropriate solutions, right designs and effective function to meet demands of different target groups.”

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