Trilux
 | |
| Industry | lighting technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder | Wilhelm Lenze |
| Headquarters | Arnsberg, Germany |
Key people | Michael Huber, Johannes Huxol, Dietmar Zembrot, Thomas Patzelt |
Number of employees | 5581 (2011) |
| Website | www.trilux.com |
The TRILUX GmbH & Co. KG is a company based in Arnsberg, Germany, which deals with the development and production of luminaires and in providing lighting solutions.
About the company
The headquarters of the international company are located in Arnsberg, where there are currently 1,500 employees (Germany far: 1,700). In addition to the core business the site also houses BAG electronics (electronic components), which are also part of the TRILUX Group. Worldwide, the TRILUX Group employs over 5,500 people. The name comes from an early technical innovation which saw the company develop luminaires with 3 times the lumen output: (tri [lat.] = three, lux [lat.] = light)
History
In 1912, the company was founded in Menden (Sauerland) by Wilhelm Lenze and originally dealt with the production of accessories for the lighting industry, as well as easy tube pendant and wall luminaires for gas and electric lighting. The manufacturing facilities used at the site soon reached capacity limit, so a new company location had to be found. The company moved in 1934 to Hüsten (today City of Arnsberg) and extended the building to manufacture residential lighting from. At this time, the company had about 50 employees.
During the period of National Socialism Wilhelm Lenze and his son Eberhard had significant problems with the regime. Both were arrested on August 20, 1933, for insulting the national government. Although they were soon released, the local party leadership was critical of the company. In 1944 The chairman of the armour commands, Lüdenscheid, ordered the expropriation and closure of the company for alleged poor performance. Only after Eberhard Lenze had successfully intervened with the arms inspection Münster, this was withdrawn. Bombs destroyed the production in March 1945.
Full operation was resumed in 1948 by Wilhelm Lenze Eberhard and his sons, Franz and Wilhelm. The company was very successful in the economic boom years, thanks to the production of technical luminaires for low voltage lamps ("strip lights"). In 1949 the production of incandescent lamps was completely abandoned, only strip lights were still in the product portfolio. Due to rising demand, the production was increased once more, and the product range was expanded to include lighting for gas discharge lamps and street lights. In 1952 250 people were employed by the company. It was around this time that TRILUX started to develop into an international business. Building on the early contacts of Wilhelm Lenze, a dense network of commercial agencies in Europe were established. The number of employees had risen to 750 people by 1962. That year the company’s 50th anniversary celebration featured an official speech from Professor Dr. Ludwig Erhard, the then Federal Minister for Economic Affairs. In 1963, the company began developing lighting solutions for the medical field. At this time sales increased within ten years from 5 to 35 million DM. In 1984 TRILUX took over the Swiss company BAG. Eberhard Lenze’s success was built on his personal affinity with his workforce and the voluntary benefits he bestowed on his employees developed a strong loyalty. He died in 1985, leaving a healthy legacy, which was one of the three largest manufacturers of professional lighting systems in Europe. 75 years after founding the company (1987), the TRILUX-light information center was established in the office buildings in Arnsberg. In addition to the presentation of numerous products and innovative lighting solutions, the center included its own auditorium with 100 seats. Around this time TRILUX expanded its activities into the area of damp-proof technology with the acquisition of the company ZALUX SA based in Zaragoza.
The heirs of the Lenze family moved gradually back from the operational side of the business. In 2006, Michael Huber took over as General Manager. He holds the same position with the company Veltins, a local beer producer. With Mr Huber at the helm the company has invested a considerable amount, increasing sales and acquiring various companies in order to expand the business.
In the field of retail lighting TRILUX acquired the Köln based company Oktalite Lighting Technology GmbH in 2007. TRILUX also acquired the exterior illuminating specialists DZ Licht based in Fröndenberg in the same year. At the end of 2008, a portion of Hüco, a manufacturer of electronics components based in Lower Saxony, became part of the TRILUX Group. In the same year the company’s European Distribution Center (EDC) was opened in the commercial area heathland Wiebel, Arnsberg.
Activities
TRILUX products are used worldwide in applications such as:
- Office and administrative buildings
- Schools and universities
- Shopping malls and shops
- Clinics and hospitals
- Airports and stations
- Banks and financial institutions
- Streets, squares, parks and pedestrian zones
- Private living and working areas
TRILUX Academy
The light park TRILUX Academy, Germany. The TRILUX Academy was officially opened on September 9, 2011, and has its headquarters in Arnsberg. It offers seminars, workshops and theme days, delivering practical training to both employees and business associates. Since August 3, 2011, the Academy has been in accordance with EN ISO 9001. The Academy has a total area of 600m² and includes variably expandable conference rooms and work areas with two adjustable ceilings. Affiliated with the Academy are an auditorium for 100 people as well as application-oriented exhibition areas for interior lighting (850 m²) and outdoor lighting (1700 m²). For business partners TRILUX has offered about 15 seminar topics each year before the academy opened, after the opening of the Academy, the number of topics increased to 50 topics (as of 2012). The offer for small groups of up to 15 people includes seminars on lighting design, to lighting applications, to efficiency and cost-effectiveness issues and LED-knowledge. Alternatively theme days are available covering special, topical issues for larger audiences. TRILUX theme days are a platform for exchange, knowledge and networking for experts and customers. Further locations are found in Ammerfort und Mechelen, the Netherlands (since January 2015), Namur, Belgium (since January 2015), Chelmsford, England (since September 2015), Vienna, Austria (since October 2015), Enzheim, France (since October 2016).
TRILUX international
Since 1950s TRILUX Sales subsidiary companies have grown in number. Today TRILUX has offices in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Slovakia. In addition TRILUX products and services are distributed by agents in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Sponsoring
In 2007 TRILUX was one of the main sponsors for the DTM racing series, supported by the Austrian driver Mathias Lauda, son of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda. In the second season in 2009 Ralf Schumacher drove under the logo of Arnsberg in TRILUX’s AMG Mercedes C-Class. In addition, TRILUX is a partner of the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL. Success in operating sports In June 2009, the European Communities has won the company sports hall for football in Croatia. Among the advertised 21 operating sports hall football title went to the BSG TRILUX, after 2005, only the knockout stages of the EM could be achieved. This success is the latest stage in a long-standing commitment to championship tournaments of soccer teams. So already could, among other things in 2006 and 2008, the German company sports championships are won in the indoor football. [3] In 2011, the BSG TRILUX again won the German championship. Also at the European Championships, the team was able to continue this service and was winner of the tournament. Three national titles and two European titles make the team for Sport giants in operation. On March 5, 2012, the BSG brings the fourth time the German championship in indoor football.