Acuity Brands buys lighting-control specialist Horizon Control

Aug. 17, 2011

Acuity will add to its long list of lighting brands with the cash acquisition of Horizon Control, a company that has focused on PC-based lighting-control systems.

Acuity Brands, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has acquired Horizon Control for an undisclosed amount of cash. Horizon specializes in PC-based lighting-control systems for applications such as entertainment and architectural lighting, and Acuity will add Horizon to its long list of brands, seeing the addition as especially important in LED-based solid-state lighting (SSL).

Acuity Brands Chairman President and CEO Vernon Nagel said, "The rapid expansion of LED lighting and other emerging technologies makes integrated lighting control increasingly pivotal in our ability to deliver high-quality, customer-focused solutions." While Horizon's products aren't limited to use with LEDs, clearly SSL is an important strategic direction for the application of controls.

The entire Horizon workforce is joining Acuity Brands including founder Alan Martello. "Our extensive background in lighting control combined with the talents and resources within Acuity Brands creates a synergy that enables us to deliver advanced products providing a superior customer experience," said Martello. "We are thrilled to have joined the Acuity Brands team."

Nagel added, "We are excited to bring this talented and proven development team on board to accelerate the company's ability to deliver superior products to the market."

Horizon has supplied its systems globally to theaters, theme parks, convention centers, hotels, museums, cruise ships, and other public spaces. Acuity stated a commitment to supporting the existing Horizon customer base and clearly will combine the control technology with products from Acuity's many lighting brands going forward.

Notable Acuity brands include Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Roam, Winona, and many more.