Not long ago, Tridonic announced that it is preparing to introduce a new line of LED drivers, and it will end the magnetics business supporting legacy light sources at the end of 2013.
As the pace of the transition to LED-based solid-state lighting (SSL) is hastening, many companies with a long lighting history are affected, Tridonic is no exception. To some extent, the decision that Tridonic refocuses on LED and intends to end its legacy business is in preparation of changes caused by the legislation to regulate low-efficiency magnetic products beginning in 2017 formulated by European Union (EU).
Tridonic stated that announcing the plans now leaves plenty of time for customers to prepare for the change. Customers can place final orders through November while securing alternative supplies. The announcement will lead to closure of manufacturing plants located in Fürstenfeld, Austria and Melbourne, Australia.
Tridonic clearly knows that it must refocus on LED lighting technology to thrive going forward. "For several years now we have known that it was only a question of time before a pullout from magnetic technology would take place," said Tridonic CEO Alfred Felder." In our efforts to secure the future of Tridonic in this decisive phase of the technology shift to LEDs, this is the right time to make a coordinated withdrawal from the magnetic sector. Of course we regret this step in view of the employees who are affected. Through their commitment they have played their part in Tridonic's success for many years. We are not only grateful for this, but also want to assure them that we will live up to our responsibility towards them in full."
From the LED perspective, the near term evidence of Tridonic's direction will come in a new driver family. "Today's decision means that we will be able to focus more strongly than ever on LED technology," said Felder. "Over the 2012/13 financial year, we were able to enhance the proportion of revenue accounted for by LED products to 18.9%. Right now we are about to release a new generation of LED converters, and it will be one of Tridonic's most important core projects in 2013/14."
