In today’s fast-paced business environment, ensuring the safety of your employees and customers is paramount. Good emergency lighting systems are the foundation for workplace safety. However, with so many lighting manufacturers in the market, choosing the right one for your business can be overwhelming.
In this article, we explore the best emergency lighting manufacturers and highlight key products and services that make them stand out.
Top 10 Emergency Lighting Manufacturers
We compiled a list of the world’s ten most influential and reliable emergency lighting manufacturers. These companies stand out based on their unique products and services.
Please note that the order of these companies doesn’t indicate a rank.
| Company Name | Year Founded | Headquarters | Key Products | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Lighting | 1833 | Georgia, USA |
| http://cooperlighting.com |
| RC Lighting | 2013 | Guangzhou, China |
| http://rclite.com |
| Progress Lighting (Hubbell) | 1888 | South Carolina, USA |
| http://hubbell.com |
| Current GLI | 2015 | South Carolina, USA |
| http://currentlighting.com |
| Zumtobel Group | 1950 | Dornbirn, Austria |
| http://z.lighting.com |
| Lixero | 1984 | Deurne, Netherlands |
| http://lixero.eu |
| Cree LED | 1987 | North Carolina, USA |
| http://creelighting.com |
| Schréder | 1907 | Brussels, Belgium |
| http://schreder.com |
| Emergency Lighting Products (ELP) | 1995 | West Sussex, England |
| http://elp.uk.com |
| TRILUX | 1912 | Arnsberg, Germany |
| http://trilux.com |
1. Cooper Lighting
Cooper Lighting is an all-purpose lighting solutions manufacturer focused on sustainability and smart controls. Established in 1833, it is one of the oldest businesses in the history of the United States.
In the early days, Cooper was primarily known for manufacturing farm equipment. As steam power rose in popularity, the company began producing steam power engines. When steam technology started declining, Cooper pivoted to gas engines.
As time went on, Copper Industries tipped their toes in other sectors such as automotive, electronics, petroleum, etc. Eventually, the company would step into the lighting industry, where it quickly rose to the top.
In 2012, Cooper Industries was acquired by Eaton, a mega-corporation. After the acquisition, Eaton made huge changes to Cooper Industries’ corporate structure. One such change was the sale of its successful lighting business to Signify.
Signify is a titan in the lighting sector and runs Cooper Lighting as a separate business.
Following the acquisition, Cooper Lighting has focused on commercial and industrial applications. The company’s product portfolio also reflects this shift in focus. Cooper sells office and commercial lighting products as well as smart monitoring and control solutions for managing large buildings.
Cooper also sells many emergency lighting products necessary for commercial and industrial buildings. These products are UL-Listed and NFPA-certified and are in compliance with all US national and state regulations.
Key Products & Services
- Architectural LED Lighting
- Landscape and Bollard Lighting
- Exit and Emergency Lights
- Sports Lighting
- Smart Lighting Solutions
2. RC Lighting
RC Lighting is a leading LED light manufacturer specializing in architectural and commercial lighting systems. The company has a reputation for quick turnaround times and exceptional customer service.
It is a relatively newer company compared to some international manufacturers that have been around for over fifty years. However, RC Lighting makes up for any shortcomings with its excellent quality control, product reliability, and customization options.
RC Lighting is committed to customer satisfaction and willing to go the extra mile to ensure customers get the perfect product per their requirements. This commitment to customization and personalization is reflected in its various services.
We can categorize its customization services into three levels.
Fixture customization is the most basic method of personalization and is offered by nearly every lighting company. It involves simple customization options like changing the fixture’s brightness, beam angle, size, color temperature, and CRI rating.
RC Lighting is one of the few companies on the market that offers LED components configuration. Its commitment to customization reflects the team’s passionate attitude. Going above and beyond the call of duty, just to deliver the best products. the teams
It uses LED SMDs from reputable brands like Cree or Osram and LED drivers from Mean Well or Philips. However, users can request alternate brands, and the company will happily oblige.
Finally, we have OEM and ODM services. In the OEM process, customers send their designs to RC Lighting, which handles the fabrication, quality control, and shipping. With the ODM process, RC Lighting handles the design and manufacturing.
Such extensive customization options are valuable for businesses looking for a reliable partner as well as retail customers who want to personalize their lighting design.
Key Products & Services
- Architectural Lighting
- Landscape Lights
- LED Fountain & In-Ground Lights
- Path Lights
- Emergency Lights
- OEM & ODM Services
3. Progress Lighting (Hubbell)
Progress Lighting is the lighting-focused brand of Hubbell Incorporated, a large electronics and electrical equipment manufacturer. Established in 1888, it is one of the oldest American institutions that is still active today. Progress Lighting is a company dedicated to advancing sustainable LED technology by improving LED fixture longevity and energy efficiency.
Although the company is commonly associated with designer light fixtures, it actually covers a broader range of lighting products. Emergency lighting is a necessity and core element of hospitality lighting, a field in which Progress Lighting excels.
The hospitality industry values emergency lighting products that blend into the architecture of the building. It takes a certain skill to develop lighting solutions that comply with various health and safety regulations while maintaining a unique visual appeal.
Progress Lighting is a one-stop shop for industrial and commercial businesses. Rather than buying individual emergency lighting fixtures, businesses can get a complete deal that covers all indoor and outdoor applications.
The company has positioned itself as a premium lighting solutions provider with one-of-a-kind fixture designs. As such, its products are considerably more expensive than the competition. However, we don’t mean they are overpriced or of bad value. There is an undeniable practical cost associated with luxury items.
Whether Progress Lighting products are worth the money is completely up to individual buyers. Unfortunately, buyers outside the US and Canada cannot buy directly from the company since it doesn’t offer international shipping.
Key Products & Services
- Commercial Indoor Lighting
- Residential Lighting Solutions
- Exit and Emergency Lights
- Ceiling Fans
- Decorative Light Fixtures
4. Current Lighting Solutions (GLI Brands)
Current Lighting Solutions is an LED lighting-focused company that owns several retail brands. Its network of lighting and home automation brands is commonly called GLI brands.
Current was initially a small startup by General Electric (GE) in 2015. The company was formerly known by a different name, GE Current. The brand quickly rose to prominence in the US market, earning a billion dollars in revenue within a few short years. In 2016, the Current Lighting brand acquired Daintree Networks, a small home automation company.
The acquisition proved fruitful for the relatively new company. Current dominates the wireless lighting control market today and offers several convenient remote monitoring lighting systems.
In 2019, GE sold its Current Lighting subsidiary to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm. By 2022, it was rebranded to Current Lighting Solutions to differentiate the company from its past owner.
Emergency lighting delivers undeniable assurance. Industrial clients are willing to pay extra to ensure they get the most reliable illumination. Hence, companies like Current Lighting Solutions tend to focus on premium industrial and commercial lighting customers.
Key Products & Services
- Commercial Lighting Fixtures
- Industrial Lighting Fixtures
- Retrofit Kits
- Emergency Lights and Exit Signage
- Wired & Wireless Lighting Controls
5. Zumtobel
The Zumtobel Group is one of the biggest manufacturers in Austria. It’s a multinational company that sells LED lighting products across ninety countries and three continents.
The company has three public-facing brands. Each brand caters to a different section of the LED market.
- Zumtobel Lighting is a commercial & industrial lighting solutions provider that sells high-performance LED fixtures and lighting control systems.
- Thorn Lighting is a consumer-focused brand based in the United Kingdom that primarily sells residential lighting products.
- Tridonic is a semiconductor manufacturing company that produces LED SMDs and drivers. Its vertical integration with other Zumtobel lighting solutions ensures that the company can deliver the highest-quality products on time.
Zumtobel Emergency lighting solutions vary depending upon the region. If you buy its Thorn brand in the UK, you will get products that specifically comply with UK-specific Fire Codes. If you buy from the main Zumtobel brand, it will have US-specific certifications.
Key Products & Services
- Indoor LED Lighting
- Emergency Lighting
- Lighting Connectivity Systems
- Industrial Lighting
6. Lixero
Lixero is a commercial lighting supplier from the Netherlands. The company has a long history of delivering high-quality LED lighting solutions. Lixero emergency lighting solutions can be found in healthcare institutes, luxury hotels, supermarkets, and office buildings.
It started as a small family-owned architecture and furnishing company. In 1990, Lixero saw LED technology as the future of the lighting industry, with the potential to revolutionize lighting solution design.
To Lixero’s credit, their prediction was spot on. LEDs quickly began to dominate the lighting space. Today, almost every emergency lighting system uses LED technology exclusively.
While the company is happy with LED lighting’s efficiency, it is still looking for ways to refine the technology. Lixero wants to develop sustainable lighting solutions and constantly tries innovative ideas to ensure customers get the best products.
Lixero manufactures its lighting solutions locally to ensure quality control and boost the local economy. Direct oversight of the manufacturing process allows it to monitor, evaluate, and implement sustainable fabrication practices.
Key Products & Services
- High Bay Lights
- Emergency Lights
- Downlights
- Track Lighting
- Pendant Luminaires
- Recessed Luminaires
7. Cree Lighting
Cree Lighting is one of the world’s most well-regarded LED manufacturing companies. It started as a semiconductor materials research company and quickly became a prominent player in the lighting sector.
Established in 1987, Cree was a small company that researched new semiconductor manufacturing chemicals. At the time, LED technology was still in its infancy and was limited in its application.
For a long time, companies struggled to manufacture blue light-emitting diodes. In 1972, researchers at Stanford University used magnesium-doped gallium nitride to produce a blue-violet LED. However, the output was very dim compared to bright green and red LEDs.
For several years, manufacturers could not produce a commercially viable blue LED. Thus, it was a huge shock when a team of Cree researchers made a brighter blue LED using silicon carbide in 1982, just two years after starting the company.
This LED was a huge step up from the 1972 design, and Cree went on to sell a million blue LEDs in the upcoming year. This moment arguably solidified Cree Lighting as a top-tier LED company. Eventually, a Japanese company would build on Cree’s innovation and develop an even more efficient blue LED, called the world’s first “True Blue” light emitting diode.
After their success in LED research, Cree Incorporated split its business into three brands.
- Wolfspeed, the semiconductor company.
- Cree LED, the SMD manufacturing company.
- Cree Lighting, the luminaire company (sold to Ideal Industries)
Key Products & Services
- Retrofit Downlights
- Exit & Emergency Lights
- Track Lighting
- Area Lighting
- Intelligent Control Systems
8. Schréder
Schréder is an LED lighting company specializing in outdoor lighting solutions with smart connectivity. The company has successfully implemented sustainable smart lighting projects in the US, South Africa, England, Poland, and many others.
Established in 1907, the company was mostly known for manufacturing electrical boxes and panel boards. By the 1930s, Schréder pivoted to manufacturing light bulbs and lighting accessories. Since then, it has been exclusively focused on lighting solutions.
After finding success in lighting equipment, the Belgian company expanded its operations to other parts of Europe. Today, Schréder has offices in almost every major city in the world.
In 2007, Schréder manufactured and installed its first LED lighting system in Croatia. After receiving an immense positive response from the locals, the company knew LEDs were the future. Three years later, Schréder committed to the research and development of LED solutions, hoping to shift its business completely to LED-based lighting.
Schréder doesn’t sell lighting products directly to consumers. Instead, it offers lighting services to industrial and commercial clients. According to the company, its lighting solutions are currently deployed in at least 70 countries worldwide.
Key Products & Services
- Street Pole Lighting
- Solar Street Lights
- Exit and Emergency Lighting
- Retrofit Kits
- Smart Lighting Controls
9. Emergency Lighting Products (ELP)
Emergency Lighting Products (ELP) is a UK-based lighting manufacturer that has been making high-quality emergency lighting solutions since 1995. With nearly thirty years of experience, ELP is undoubtedly the foremost expert in emergency equipment.
ELP designs and develops its LED emergency products in-house. Thus, the company can offer extensive customization options to personalize the products according to customer requirements.
Customization is particularly helpful for emergency lighting solutions targeted at the hospitality industry. Businesses like luxury hotels demand LED fixtures that meet legal requirements without disrupting their building’s visual design.
ELP is an active Lighting Industry Association (LIA) member and the Industry Committee of Emergency Lighting (ICEL). This collaboration ensures ELP-produced emergency lights comply with various UK and EU regulations.
Emergency lighting is a high-effort and low-profit business venture. There is a greater legal and ethical burden associated with manufacturing emergency lighting products. So, you know that ELP is a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about emergency lighting.
ELP is one of the most trustworthy companies in the UK due to its commitment to quality and extraordinary customer service.
Key Products & Services
- Bulkhead Light Fixtures
- Emergency Lights and Signs
- LED Emergency Downlights
- Water Resistant LED Lights
- Central Power Systems
- LED Conversion Kits
10. TRILUX
TRILUX is a leading manufacturer of LED lighting solutions from Germany. Its founder, Wilhelm Lenze, was in awe of the humble incandescent light bulb. He saw lighting as a basic need and embarked on a journey to manufacture the best light bulbs in the world.
Wilhelm’s passion led to the establishment of TRILUX. In its early days, the company was confined to the Arnsberg region of Germany. Gradually, as TRILUX became a household name, it expanded to other European countries.
In the early 2000s, TRILUX researched residential applications of LED technology. This research resulted in the world’s first LED downlight, the Athenik. With the success of the Athenik downlight, TRILUX began focusing more on LED fixtures, and by 2009, the company was all in on LED bulbs.
Today, TRILUX manufactures over 5,000 different LED products varying by brightness, color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), IP rating, and mounting type.
TRILUX also employs state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to produce the highest quality products. It is by far one of the most reliable lighting manufacturers in Europe.
Key Products & Services
- LED Track Lighting
- Surface-Mounted LED Bulbs
- High Bay Luminaires
- Outdoor Spot & Flood Lighting
- Smart Lighting Control Systems
- Emergency Lights
Comparing Features of the Best Emergency Lighting Companies
Comparing the world’s top emergency lighting solutions provider shows some interesting patterns. Complying with the various life safety standards and fire codes is a time-consuming and costly. So many lighting companies limit their operations to a single country or region.
We can also see that hospitality lighting manufacturers are the most equipped to handle emergency lighting solutions. They work directly with hotel owners to implement consistent and reliable lighting solutions.
| Company Name | Key Product | Unique Feature/Service | Disadvantage Against Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Lighting | Landscape and Bollard | Light Control System | Cluttered Catalog |
| RC Lighting | Architectural Lighting | OEM & ODM Services | No Smart Lighting Controls |
| Progress Lighting (Hubbell) | Commercial Indoor Lighting | Premium Lighting Fixtures | Higher Costs |
| Current GLI | Commercial Indoor Lighting | Sustainable Lighting Solutions | No Presence outside the US |
| Zumtobel Group | LED Lighting | Diverse Product Catalog | LImited Presence in the US |
| Lixero | LED Hospitality Lighting | Lighting Planning and Design | No Direct Customer Sale |
| Cree Lighting | LED Downlights | Intelligent Lighting Control | No Customization Options |
| Schréder | Street Pole Lighting | Fixture Variety | No Direct Customer Sale |
| Emergency Lighting Products (ELP) | Emergency Lighting Products | Emergency Lighting Expertise | Lacks Product Diversity |
| TRILUX | Track Lighting | Light Management System | Limited Presence in the US |
5 Key Considerations for Choosing an Emergency Lighting Solutions Provider
Choosing the right emergency lighting solutions provider is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance. Always consider the following elements to help you identify the right manufacturer.
1. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure the manufacturer knows local and national fire codes and safety regulations regarding emergency lighting. US buyers should review state building codes before making the necessary purchase.
2. Product Quality and Reliability
There are three easy ways to check product quality. First, look for customer reviews and feedback on the manufacturer. Pay special attention to recent reviews to get an accurate company picture.
Secondly, you can ask the company for samples before placing a larger order. Lastly, check for certifications and warranties that guarantee performance.
3. Range of Solutions
A diverse catalog of lighting products indicates manufacturing expertise. Consider a supplier that offers several emergency lighting products, including LED fixtures, exit signs, and battery backup systems, to meet your various needs.
4. Regional Availability
Local suppliers typically sell products at a higher rate than many international companies. Those high prices may encourage buyers to import emergency lighting products. However, check import fees, shipping costs, and occasional tariffs before purchasing.
Nothing is worse than buying a quality product at a significant discount only to pay more through taxes and fees.
5. Maintenance and Service Plans
Emergency lighting solutions need to be maintained regularly. Many state regulations mandate annual tests and daily visual inspections of emergency lighting.
Look for companies that offer maintenance and testing services to ensure your emergency lighting systems are always operational.
Conclusion
LED emergency lighting is a critical aspect of commercial buildings. It is a legal and moral requirement for businesses to have reliable illumination during natural disasters and emergencies. A major hurdle for emergency lighting manufacturers is legal compliance. A product certified in the UK may not be approved for US applications. Manufacturers must undergo the rigorous process of re-certification for different countries and regions. The added cost of international safety compliance prevents many manufacturers from shipping products to different regions. Customers should ensure that emergency lighting products comply with local government regulations before purchasing.
Illuminate Your Building with RC Lighting!
RC Lighting is a well-known provider of LED lighting solutions. We have established ourselves as a brand that delivers exceptional value and superior-quality products. At RC Lighting, we prioritize customer experience above all else.
Our extensive customization options and OEM services are designed to help you identify the best lighting solutions for your business. All RC Lighting products come with a standard five-year warranty period and comply with various international health and safety standards such as CE, RoHS, UL/ETL, etc.
Take your business to the next level with the best LED products. Contact us now!
