LEDVANCE Invests Millions in U.S. Manufacturing, 220 Local Jobs to Bring the Future of SYLVANIA Light Bulbs to the Nation

Lighting Leader and Walmart Celebrating Initiative at St. Marys,
Pennsylvania Factory

ST. MARYS, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As the nation prepares to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, a time for
recognizing the hard work of American workers, the maker of SYLVANIA
light bulbs in the United States is announcing it has invested millions
of dollars to keep and add local manufacturing jobs and increase U.S.
production of something we all depend on – the light bulb. This
initiative transitions 200 jobs from making traditional lighting
products, whose demand has been declining, to new LED technology and
also adds 20 new jobs. LEDVANCE has achieved this milestone by upgrading
its St. Marys, Pennsylvania and Versailles, Kentucky factories. The
lighting leader is celebrating this announcement at its St. Marys,
Pennsylvania factory today with Walmart, which has made a 10-year
commitment to buy an additional $250 billion in products supporting
American jobs. New SYLVANIA LED light bulbs assembled in the U.S. are at
Walmart stores nationwide and will be in additional retailers and sold
via industrial commercial channel partners in the near future.

“We are continuing to advance light by combining cutting-edge LED
lighting technology with the manufacturing and R&D expertise of our U.S.
factory workers and engineers,” said Jes Munk Hansen, CEO, LEDVANCE. “We
are the first company in our industry to have a significant LED
portfolio like this in the United States, an effort made possible by our
first-rate employees. By upgrading our factories and equipment and
evolving our business processes, our local workers are bringing light to
the nation with modern SYLVANIA LED lighting assembled right here in the
U.S.”

LED technology has been called the future of lighting for its long life
and energy savings benefits. LED light bulbs can last up to 22 years and
save up to 85 percent on electricity. LEDVANCE is the first general
lighting company to now have a significant LED light bulb portfolio made
in the U.S. with U.S. and imported parts. This is one of the fastest
producing assembly lines in the world for LED light bulbs, working three
to four times faster than other lighting manufacturers.

“Our customers have told us that second to price, where products are
made influences their purchase decisions,” said Cindi Marsiglio, vice
president, U.S. manufacturing, Walmart. “We are focused on buying great
quality products like SYLVANIA light bulbs that create jobs in
communities across the U.S. It makes sense for our customers, our
communities and our company.”

Based on data from Boston Consulting Group, it’s estimated that 1
million new U.S. jobs will be created through Walmart’s initiative,
including direct manufacturing job growth of approximately 250,000, and
indirect job growth of approximately 750,000 in the support and service
sectors.

LEDVANCE has over 1,500 employees in the U.S. in 40 states. To meet some
of the U.S. employees that bring SYLVANIA light bulbs to you, watch this
video. To learn more about how the history of LEDVANCE and its
SYLVANIA general lighting products dates back to 1901 in the U.S., click here.

LEDVANCE is proud of the innovation shown in the development of SYLVANIA
general lighting products, moving from incandescent to energy-saving
halogen lighting and compact fluorescent lighting to LED
lighting. Increased customers’ acceptance of LED light bulbs has shifted
demand for the traditional products made in the plants for decades.
LEDVANCE officials looked at how to meet the increased demand for LED
lighting but change how the company brought some products to market in
order to prevent the loss of U.S. jobs and manufacturing. A majority of
LED light bulbs in the industry are imported from Asia. With this new
initiative, individual components are delivered to the St. Marys and
Versailles factories for many popular long-lasting, energy-efficient
SYLVANIA LED general lighting products, such as A-line LED light bulbs
used in table lamps and fixtures and BR LED light bulbs you see in
ceilings. The SYLVANIA LED light bulbs are assembled via the new
manufacturing lines managed and operated by U.S. employees, with most of
the products using glass made at the Versailles factory.

In addition to the new SYLVANIA LED light bulbs, the factories also make
world class SYLVANIA traditional lighting like halogen light bulbs and
long life fluorescent tubes, which continue to be excellent options,
with U.S. and imported parts.

ABOUT LEDVANCE LLC
LEDVANCE GmbH is one of the world's
leading general lighting providers for professional users and retail
customers. In North America, LEDVANCE LLC offers SYLVANIA advanced LED
lamps, standardized luminaires and smart lighting solutions, as well as
a wide range of traditional light sources. The SYLVANIA brand leadership
in the industry is a result of a proud legacy of over 100 years of
lighting experience and paves the way for future success. LEDVANCE is
active in more than 120 countries and has about 9,000 employees.
Additional information can be found at www.sylvania.com.

LEDVANCE and SYLVANIA are registered trademarks.
All other
trademarks are those of their respective owners.

Contacts

LEDVANCE LLC
Glen Gracia, 978-395-7902
[email protected]