Sylvania Lighting (formerly Feilo Sylvania[1]), Havells-Sylvania, and SLI (Sylvania Lighting International), is an international designer and manufacturer of lighting products, trading as Sylvania. It has plants throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa and Central and South America, and is one of the few lighting companies that produces both lamps and lighting fixtures. It is owned by Shanghai Feilo Acoustics Ltd., having previously been owned by the Indian electrical company Havells.
History
1900s
Founded in the early 1900s as a business that renewed burned-out light bulbs, Sylvania and its predecessor companies ultimately began producing new lamps and then vacuum tubes for the fledgling radio industry. By the time Sylvania Electric Products merged with General Telephone in 1959, Sylvania had become a manufacturer of electronics, lighting, television, radio and chemistry and metallurgy. The merged corporation was renamed GT&E Corporation. Sylvania operated as a separate entity and produced cameras, photo flash bulbs, general lighting and TVs and anti missile defense systems. GTE sold its consumer electronics business to North American Philips in 1981.
1993
During the early 1990s it was clear that GTE must make substantial investments into the emerging mobile telecommunications field, which was beginning to compete against its core business in traditional telephone systems. The decision was made to sell off Sylvania to finance these new investments. At this time the global lamps market was dominated by only four players – Sylvania, GE, Philips and Osram, each of whom had roughly a quarter of the market. International monopoly regulations prohibited an outright takeover of the entire of Sylvania by one of these three competitors. Eventually, a deal was struck in which the company was split into two parts. Osram GmbH, obtained the North America, Mexico and Puerto Rican operations and rights to the Sylvania brand in those territories. The remainder of the company in Europe, Asia and Latin America, together with the Sylvania brand in those countries, was the subject of a management buyout which led to the formation of SLI Holdings International LLC.
Breakthrough Products
Invented together with Bausch & Lomb, this was the world's first light source to feature a cool-beam reflector coating which directs light forwards while allowing heat to escape out of the rear of the lamp.[6]
Following Sylvania's invention of the red-emitting phosphor for colour television screens, a spinoff application created the modern deluxe colour mercury lamp.[7]
Invention of the sodium-scandium lamp chemistry which continues to set the standard for metal halide lighting all over the world.[8]
Invention of The Flashcube allowed still cameras to take four images in succession. It had four electrically fired flash bulbs with an integral reflector in a compact cube-shaped arrangement.
Tru-Aim Professional — The world's first MR16 lamp to feature a sealed front lens and UV protection.[9]
Locations
Manufacturing
In addition, a number of satellite factories serve other global regions:
- Manufacturing might be in China (example Belgium has only small office)
- The company has established competency centers at the following locations:
- Tienen, Belgium — Halogen, Discharge, LED and Special Lamps
- Erlangen, Germany — Linear Fluorescent Lamps
- Neemrana, India — Compact Fluorescent Lamps
- Newhaven, UK — Professional Luminaires
- Saint-Etienne, France — Industrial Luminaires
- Kairouan, Tunisia — Incandescent, Halogen & CFL assembly
- Costa Rica — Fluorescent Starters & Glowbottles
- Bogota, Colombia — Incandescent & Linear Fluorescent Lamps
- Vinhedo, Brazil — Incandescent & Sodium Lamps, Glass tubing & bulbs
Notable projects
- Paris Metro — Paris, France
- Tate Modern Museum — London, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Retail Chain — Mexico
- Fullerton Hotel — Singapore
- Barbican Centre — London, United Kingdom
- Dublin Airport — Dublin, Ireland
- Kelvin Grove Gallery — London, United Kingdom
- Manchester City Art Gallery — Manchester, United Kingdom
- MJU Restaurant & Lounge, The Millennium Knightsbridge Hotel — London, United Kingdom
- Bloomsbury Fitness Centre, University College — London, United Kingdom
- University of Cambridge, Judge Business School — Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Zorlu Center - Istanbul, Turkey