LEDs Magazine News & Insights 12 February 2020 - Editor's Column
Welcome to the LEDs Magazine News & Insights newsletter for Feb. 12, 2020. We were on the show floor for the opening of Strategies in Light last night. It was not surprising that the crowd was somewhat subdued. A significant number of committed exhibitors could not participate because of the Coronavirus. Likewise speakers and attendees have been negatively impacted. Still, the exhibits featured enthusiastic networking and great sharing of solid-state lighting (SSL) expertise.
If you go back to our newsletter from last Friday, I related that our Mark Halper had pledged no new Osram stories. Well, Mark’s pledge didn’t last very long. But without question his latest piece brings up concepts that are somewhat surprising. Despite not having ownership of the Osram shares necessary to control the company’s cash, ams plans to seek Osram’s approval to consider the deal a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) that would provide cash access.
Mark also learned that smart and connected lighting upstart Gooee had take investment from a bit of a strange partner. A contracting/engineering company called TClarke plc has taken an equity stake in Gooee. Of course Gooee has been unconventional since inception and far more focused on IoT technology than lighting.
This week I’d again remind you that we have a State of the Industry survey in the field and I know we have repeatedly asked our readers to participate in such studies. I promise to decrease our number of requests for participation going forward. But I really need your help on this survey. If you missed the survey email, just follow this link to participate.
If I missed you during the networking reception last night, stop me and say hello tomorrow. I haven’t been reacting as quick as normal and really suffered a terrible cold. But I’m much better and I think noncontagious. So yell if I don’t hear you.
I’ll spend a significant chunk of tomorrow readying the Sapphire Awards. Join us aboard the Midway. It will be a great night out, the weather looks great, the ticket price is fair and a much better investment than bars in the Gaslamp.
You will find many more stories of interest in the body of today’s newsletter. Please note my relatively new email address below. And always feel free to contact me to discuss content we post or to pitch a contributed article.
- Maury Wright, (858) 748-6785, [email protected]