Top 13 LED Light Manufacturers in the World (2024)

In this article, we jump into the exciting realm of LED light manufacturers, exploring their history, innovations, product offerings, and what sets them apart.

State of the Lighting Industry in 2024

The lighting industry has been steadily growing yearly and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% by 2030. We can attribute the recent growth of the lighting industry to the rise of the construction industry. Governments around the world have initiated plans to counter the growing housing crisis.

Tax cuts and government subsidies have motivated contractors to expedite their construction projects. As new buildings pop up around the globe, the demand for quality lighting in those buildings also increases.

The lighting industry is also focusing on energy efficiency, which, unsurprisingly, has enabled LED lighting to reach great success. LED fixtures outpace all other lighting solutions by a country mile. Residential lighting has the highest revenue by application, followed by commercial lighting in second place and industrial lighting in third.

General lighting is the most popular application overall. Surprisingly, automotive lighting is seeing a major uplift. LED lights in the automotive sector might be a good option for companies looking to expand their business.

The Rise of LED Lighting

Energy efficiency is only partly responsible for the rise of LED lighting. Other factors, such as lighting control solutions (DALI, DMX, etc.) and dimmability features, are just as important.

LED lighting is incredibly versatile, bringing several new features to residential and commercial lighting. Following are just some of the many benefits of LED lighting.

• Remotely control and manage their lighting solutions.
• Set power on timers to consider with a reduction in daylight.
• Control the brightness of an LED bulb using dimmer switches.
• Adjust the color (red, blue, green) of LED lighting.
• Change the color temperature of the lighting.
• Increase energy efficiency and reduce electric bills

Top LED Light Manufacturers in the Word 2024

There is no shortage of LED lighting manufacturers in the world. Separating the great ones from the good ones is a hard job. Luckily, we have worked hard and narrowed down the top 13 LED lighting solutions companies for your convenience.

Please note that the order of these companies doesn’t indicate a rank.

1. Philips Lighting (Signify)

Philips is one of the most recognizable brand names in the lighting industry. The company initially manufactured incandescent light bulbs in Eindhoven, Netherlands, in 1891. Soon, it expanded its operations to include electronic devices and home appliances.

By 2014, Philips was making so many LED lighting products that the business was split into two entities: general products and technology and lighting solutions. As of 2018, Philips Lighting has been rebranded to Signify NV.

Philips Lighting (Signify) produces millions of LED (light-emitting diodes) chips annually, which it sells to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) facilities worldwide. It also sells its LED drivers and modules to competing lighting manufacturers and uses them to manufacture its own energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures.

Signify supplies LED technology, and the final LED light bulbs are manufactured and sold under the iconic Philips brand.

Signify has also been investing in major acquisitions, buying out competitors like Cooper Lighting Solutions and acquiring tech startups like Telensa for their smart lighting systems. Signify is currently positioned as an industrial lighting solutions provider that serves high-end corporate clients.

By comparison, Signify’s many sub-brands, such as Philips Lighting, serve the domestic market with traditional LED bulbs. The Philips Hue brand sells addressable (color-changing) LED lighting, which can be wirelessly controlled using a remote or smartphone.

2. Cooper Lighting (Eaton & Signify)

Cooper Industries is one of the oldest American institutes. In 1833, it was manufacturing farm equipment and kitchen appliances. Around the 1950s, Cooper would shift its focus to electrical products and equipment, eventually establishing its Cooper Lighting sub-brand.

The lighting industry experienced a huge boom during the 1950s. The demand for light bulbs was at an all-time high, and manufacturing facilities struggled to supply enough.

It could be a smart business mindset or just being at the right place at the right time. Regardless of the circumstances, Cooper Lighting would soon become one of the biggest lighting brands in the states, selling everything from LED lighting to legacy fluorescents and HID bulbs.

In 2012, Cooper Industries was bought by the giant Eaton Corporation. Eaton would provide the financial backing to help Cooper’s Lighting Wing reach new heights. By 2020, Cooper Lighting was selling LED lights to the European, Asian, and South American markets.

Later that year, Eaton would sell the lighting business to the newly formed Signify company. Signify maintains the Cooper Lighting branding, whose primary product is network-connected lighting solutions.

It also offers its proprietary WaveLinx smart lighting control system to OEM service providers.

3. Osram

Osram Lighting, or OSRAM Licht AG, is a German-based photonics company specializing in healthcare, sensor technology, and industrial and automotive lighting. From its humble origins in 1919, Osram has always sought innovation above all else. Today, it produces some of the best LED lighting in the industry.

The key to Osram’s success is its investment in semiconductor technology. In the late 90s, LED lighting systems were still in their infancy. However, Osram saw potential in this new technology and started the Osram Opto Semiconductors business in 1999.

AMS Osram

Osram Semiconductor (AMS Osram) produces top-of-the-line LED chips, which it uses to offer high-quality lighting solutions to its global customer base. Years of manufacturing experience have led Osram to develop its signature Oslon Square 3030 LED chip, which is widely used in the area and landscape lighting industry.

The Oslon LED lighting technology is a testimony to Osram’s commitment to quality and efficiency. The Oslon Square series is well known for its high color rendering index (CRI) and wide range of color temperatures (CCT).

Unlike Philips Lighting (Signify), which focuses on selling LED light fixtures in the general lighting market, Osram leans towards the LED lighting technology and research side. It supplies the LED modules to over 20,000 Business-to-business (B2B) customers worldwide.

4. Cree LED

Cree LED is a multinational LED solutions provider. Cree Inc. has a rather interesting and complicated history. The company was founded in 1987 in North Carolina, USA, focusing on semiconductor technology.

In 1989, Cree LED introduced the first-ever blue light-emitting diodes to the market. Although the blue color was not particularly bright, pushing the envelope on LED technology was still a great achievement.

Cree’s innovative lighting solutions led to the full-color LED video screens we see today. Two years later, the company also produced the first silicon carbide (SiC) wafer. Silicone carbide is a versatile semiconductor commonly used as a diode in light-emitting diodes.

Cree Inc. would use its semiconductor prowess to establish itself as one of the country’s biggest LED manufacturers. By 2013, all Cree products had received Energy Star certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

After establishing itself as a premiere lighting manufacturer, Cree Inc. sold its lighting division to SMART Global Holdings and rebranded to Wolfspeed.

Cree Lighting is now a separate LED lighting company, and the original Cree Inc. (now Wolfspeed) is focusing on establishing semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

5. Nichia Corporation

Nichia Corporation is a chemical engineering and manufacturing company based in Anan, Japan. Established in 1956, the company primarily manufactured phosphors for fluorescent bulbs. Soon, it would enter the then-emerging field of LED lighting.

Nichia has been producing high-quality lighting products for decades. However, in the early 1980s, increased competition from international companies took Nichia’s business. A dedicated Nichia employee eventually brought the company back from the brink of bankruptcy.

While the “blue” LED had already been invented, it was dull and had a more violet appearance. Shuji Nakamura, a researcher at Nichia, invented the first true blue LED light. The new blue LED was just the kick Niciha needed to get ahead of the competition.

Today, it is one of the lighting industry’s biggest manufacturers of light-emitting diodes. Most other LED lighting manufacturers on this list have diversified their product catalog and now sell LED light bulbs, smart lighting products, or other electrical devices.

However, Nichia has stayed true to its origins and only intensified its commitment to researching and manufacturing LED lighting technologies. It currently offers LED products for the display market, automotive industry, and industrial lighting systems.

Nichia is a well-known name in the B2B LED lighting sector and has a long history of supplying reliable LED modules.

To learn more about the fascinating history of the invention of the first true blue LED. Check out this video.

6. Samsung LED

Samsung Electronics Co. (SEC) is one of the biggest electronics manufacturers in the world. It dwarfs all other companies on this list by its sheer size. Many know Samsung as a TV or smartphone brand. However, it is more well-known in the tech sector for its LED manufacturing.

Samsung entered the semiconductor market in 1993, making memory sticks (RAM) for computer systems. Eventually, its manufacturing experience and top-tier fabrication facilities led to success in the LCD and LED markets.

Today, Samsung makes most of the world’s LCD and OLED displays. These panels are used in Samsung devices and their competitors. Sony TVs rely on Samsung for their OLED panels, and Apple uses Samsung for its iPhone displays.

Similar to Nichia, Samsung isn’t interested in commercial lighting fixtures. It is more interested in display technology driven by LEDs than in LED lighting. Hence, it sells all of its LED chips to third-party lighting manufacturers.

A big reason to get Samsung LEDs is their high quality. The company has spent decades fine-tuning its manufacturing process. It makes the best quality products for itself and sells the excess to its competitors.

Samsung is also one of a handful of manufacturers that can supply a large volume of LED modules on short notice due to its massive fabrication facilities.

7. GE Lighting (Savant)

GE Lighting (formerly General Electric) is a US-based company that primarily deals in LED lighting management systems. Founded in 1892, GE Lighting was a popular incandescent bulb manufacturer. During the 2010s, GE pivoted to an LED-only business model.

Another ten years later, GE was acquired by the home automation company Savant Systems. Today, GE Lighting Systems is more known for its indoor smart lighting products and rarely sells outdoor lighting products.

GE Lighting Systems manufactures its LED drivers for optimal compatibility with its smart home solutions.

8. Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands Inc. is an international lighting components manufacturer and building management systems provider. Throughout its 100+ year history, It has acquired many companies and undergone several restructuring processes.

Today, Acuity is the largest lighting manufacturer in North America. If that sounds surprising, it’s probably because you are unaware of Acuity’s sub-brands. It owns American Electric Lighting, Gotham, Antique Street Lamps, Holophane, Carandini, Hydrel, Peerless, Lithonia Lighting, SpecLight, and many more.

Like all other lighting businesses, Acuity has been focused on sustainable lighting solutions with a particular emphasis on smart lighting systems.

Although the company offers OEM services, the products sold may be under a different brand name, depending on your region.

9. Zumtobel Group

Zumtobel Group is an Austrian company that manufactures and sells LED lights. It operates 10 LED manufacturing facilities on three continents, serving over 90 countries. Zumtobel may be less known in North America, but it’s quite popular in Europe. In fact, Zumtobel is the second-largest lighting components manufacturer in the EU.

Today, the Zumtobel Group has three lighting brands under its belt.

Zumtobel Lighting

Zumtobel is an industrial lighting solutions brand focusing on architectural lighting and commercial illumination controls. It sells LED lights to large businesses and offers IOT solutions, lighting management, and refurbishment options.

Thorn Lighting

Thorn is the consumer-friendly brother to Zumtobel and sells light fixtures and components to individuals and businesses.

Tridonic

Tridonic is a lighting components brand primarily deals in LED modules, drivers, and lighting sensors. It also heavily invests in research and development, innovating new LED lighting technologies.

Several lighting manufacturers use Tridonic LED modules and drivers in their luminaire designs.

10. LG Electronics

LG is a multinational electronics company based in South Korea. It’s a well-known brand regarded for its high-quality home appliances, general electronics, and, most of all, its LED displays. LG has shifted its focus to energy efficiency and lighting innovation in recent years.

It is one of a few companies that manufactures LCD and LED displays. Like its Korean competitor, Samsung, it also supplies panels for companies like Sony, Vizio, and Panasonic.

LG’s LED lighting solutions strongly emphasize smart controls and optimization. With a focus on smart commercial clients, LG lighting products are not available to general consumers. But who knows, maybe we’ll see LG-branded smart light bulbs in the future.

11. TJ2 Lighting

Moving on to some of the new companies in the lighting industry, we recently stumbled upon TJ2, an OEM and ODM services company based in China. In its ten short years of operation, TJ2 has expanded its business to other parts of Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and more.

OEM vs ODM

• In OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services, TJ2 will bring your lighting designs to life using their years of experience and state-of-the-art machinery.
• In ODM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services, TJ2 will connect customers with their in-house lighting designers and create products from scratch. The engineers and designers will take the raw ideas, shape them into viable designs, and manufacture them.

ODM is highly beneficial for customers who want the very best lighting solutions and are willing to opt for custom options. These services are rare in the LED lighting industry, as they are less profitable and more time-consuming.

12. Panasonic

Panasonic is one of those companies that doesn’t need an introduction. It’s a historical Japanese company known for its diverse electronic catalog. Although many remember Panasonic for their CRT Television sets, the business started its humble beginnings selling bicycle lamps.

During World War II, the company expanded its operations. It began manufacturing all sorts of electrical devices, including light fixtures, wireless equipment, motors, electric irons, and vacuum tubes.

Today, Panasonic sells an incredible range of products, ranging from home appliances to camera equipment. The company still sells light fixtures and is committed to high-quality LED lighting products. It has become less of a priority for the business.

13. TCL Lighting

Last but definitely not least, we have TCL Lighting, one of the biggest electronics manufacturers in China. The company is well-known and highly regarded for its LED TVs and has recently entered the smartphone business.

Alongside Samsung and LG, TCL is one of a handful of companies that manufactures LED panels for TVs, Tablets, Smartphones, etc. Very few companies can match TCL’s manufacturing precision and production volume.

TCL’s vast manufacturing capabilities place it among the top LED manufacturers in the world. It can match your specific production requirements and deliver lights on time to any part of the world.

One small hiccup here might be motivation. Like other LED manufacturers on this list, TCL also focuses on retail products, delivering LED lights directly to customers. TCL’s retail lighting solutions offer less flexibility and zero customizations.

7 Key Factors in Evaluating LED Light Manufacturers

Choosing the right LED lighting manufacturer for your home or business requires a little bit of patience and a whole lot of research.

The following is a list of key factors that will help you evaluate and choose an LED manufacturer.

1. Product Range & Quality

Always check the product catalog and services first. See if the products fit your liking and meet your standards and expectations. Look at the product descriptions, and feel free to contact the company for any additional information.

2. Safety and Energy Compliance

Electrical products often come with stickers or markers on the packaging, indicating safety and energy regulations compliance. Products certified by third-party testers like UL, ETL, CE, etc., are more reliable and efficient.

3. LED Modules and Drivers

While some LED lighting manufacturers design and fabricate the diodes and drivers themselves, many use off-the-shelf components. Sourcing components from other manufacturers isn’t a bad thing. Just ensure the manufacturer gets parts from reliable sources, such as Samsung, Osram, Nichia, etc.

4. Value Added Services

Quality products aren’t the only thing a business has to offer. Always look for additional services that add value to your purchase. Here are some common value-added services that you should expect.

• A long warranty period, preferably five years or more.
• Good IP Rating on light fixtures.
• Customizable products or OEM services.
• Quick turnaround time on the order.
• Free consultations with onsite engineers or experts.
• Low minimum order quantity (MOQ).
• Etc.

5. After Sales Services

A good customer experience involves the assurance of support and good customer service after the purchase. After-sales services are particularly important for businesses that place large orders with a manufacturer.

• Common after-sales services include the following.
• Resolving customer complaints on time.
• Offering technical support and guidance on products.
• Maintenance services are provided for a few years after the initial purchase.
• Convenient return and refund policy.
• Etc.

6. Industry Expertise & Experience

Experience is crucial in the manufacturing sector. Although a new business may offer quality products and services, a lack of experience in customer support, international shipping, and quality control can be a big negative.

Unless a manufacturer offers a great deal, it’s best to stick with a company that has been around for at least five years.

Another way to determine expertise is to call the business and ask to speak with an engineer or expert. A good conversation can help clear any customer’s doubts.

7. Manufacturer Reputation

Reputation is everything in the competitive lighting industry. Any good business will ensure its customers have a good first experience to ensure repeat purchases. Check for reviews and testimonies online and see what past customers say about the manufacturer and their products.

The Future of LED Lighting

The future of LED lighting is bright. We are already seeing more and more people and businesses adopt LED lighting for their spaces. While LEDs are here to stay, things may change in the future.

So, let’s look at a few predictions of LED lighting.

1. Human Centric Lighting

Human-centric lighting mimics the pattern of sunlight to provide more comfortable indoor and outdoor lighting. As we spend more and more time in front of computers in a closed space, the need for natural light has become evident.

Future LED lighting will see open spaces that incorporate daylighting into the space. Alternatively, we’ll see lights that better mimic the look and feel of sunlight.

2. Smart Lighting Control Solutions

This article already mentions plenty of smart lighting solutions. Smart lighting that can be easily and conveniently controlled using a smartphone, voice, or a wireless controller (remote) is already here.

We will see smart LED lighting actively used in homes and offices to optimize lighting design, reduce energy consumption, and customize the look and feel of spaces.

3. Sustainable Light Fixtures

Reparability plays a big role in sustainability. Even though LED lights last a really long time, most of these fixtures are made of polycarbonate and eventually become landfills.

Future LED lighting will either use biodegradable materials or take a modular design approach that is easy to repair and reuse.

4. Higher Energy Efficiency

LED technology is still young, and plenty of room exists to grow. The first pure white LED was invented only 30 years ago. As material science advances, we will see more exotic materials used as semiconductors.

Hopefully, we’ll see LED technology continue to be more efficient and effective sooner rather than later.

The Role of Top Manufacturers in Shaping the Industry

Top LED lighting manufacturers play a vital role in determining the direction of the industry. The introduction of OLED and Mini LED technology brought us brighter and more color-accurate displays.

Competition in the lighting space will ensure companies strive for innovation and sustainability.

Conclusion

The LED lighting industry is continuously evolving and driven by technological advancements, increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, and innovative applications. The leading manufacturers highlighted in this guide exemplify excellence in LED technology, from general and commercial lighting to specialized industrial and automotive applications. Understanding these manufacturers’ specialties, histories, and geographical presence will help you better choose the right company for your lighting needs.

Be sure to thoroughly research the manufacturer and their products before making a major purchase decision. As you explore the offerings from these industry leaders, you will be more confident in your choice and illuminate your spaces with the best and most reliable LED solutions.

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RC Lighting is an LED Lighting Supplier known for its high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions. Our LED lights are crafted using the highest-quality components from reputable manufacturers. Our light fixtures primarily use LED chips from CREE, OSRAM, and LUMILEDS. However, customer preference is very important to us, and we’re always happy to source chips from other brands on request.

Speaking of customer experience, we have a standard 5-year on all products and offer special discounts for lighting design companies and industry professionals.

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