United States Flashlight Market Forecast

According to ElectroniCast, the consumption value of flashlights in the United States reached $1.824 billion in 2011

Upper Lake, CA (USA) – October 4, 2012  -- ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market research firm covering LEDs and electronic devices, today announced a new market forecast report of the use of flashlights in the United States.

The consumption value of flashlights in the United States reached $1.824 billion in 2011. LED flashlights dominate the product mix.  Additionally, the LED flashlights are forecast to gradually displace the other light-source types of flashlights, to some degree, during the forecast period. In addition to LED flashlights, the market study covers the use of Halogen, Argon/Krypton Incandescent, Xenon Incandescent, Fluorescent and High-Intensity Discharge (HID).  In 2011, Rechargeable LED flashlights held the leadership position in relative market share. 

The ElectroniCast study also segments the use of flashlights by end-user groups, including: Government use in Military/Law Enforcement/Emergency; other segments in Government; Commercial/Industrial; and Consumer applications.

     In terms of value, the Commercial/Industrial end-user group is forecast to maintain the lead in relative market share during the forecast period (2011-2016); however, the Consumer/Non-Specific category is forecast to maintain a dominant market share lead in term of volume (number of flashlight units). 

Flashlights used in the Consumer/Non-Specific end-user segment are typically less expensive units versus other applications/end-user groups.  For example, flashlights used by the United States Military and in Law Enforcement, demand (more) rugged designed, more features and (more) lumens or brightness versus the typical household flashlights found in kitchen drawers.  Of course this is true in other applications, as well, such as explosion-proof headlamps used in the Mining sector.

In the process of this market research project, in addition to interviewing existing customer groups and distributors of flashlights, ElectroniCast Consultants also studied over 50 lighting manufactures/brands with various ranges of performance, price, power-source, light source and other variables. ElectroniCast’s estimates of the (year 2011) market share (%) and flashlight revenue for all 50 manufacturers/brands are also detailed in this report.

Boutique Shops             Some of the (flashlight) manufacturing/brands are relatively small and are considered “boutique” shops serving a niche market; however, we included some of these “boutique” brands, since they are opening up number market segments, which would otherwise be un-served. (Some of these shops have flashlights with a list price in the $500 range).

Specialty Shops   Other companies that we zoned-in on in our research efforts are the “specialty” shops, which are typically much larger in volume versus the “boutique” shops; however, the specialty-brands still address (serve) a niche market.  For example, there are companies/brands that target the Police and Military market segment with list price of less than $100 to several hundred dollars. Other companies/brands target the medical/surgical (headlamps) or the high-end outdoor sport market segment(s), and others target the explosion-proof market segment with list prices of several hundred dollars, even over $1,000.

General-Purpose Companies/Brands   ElectroniCast also researched companies, which serve multiple end-user market segments, such as household in-expensive (less than $5), low- and high-end professional, and even application specific such as the United States military, as well as products with a wide price range. This “General-Purpose” group also has a huge sales/distribution channel involving major retailers, such as Home Depot, Office Depot, Sears, Ace Hardware, Target and an almost endless opportunity in supermarkets, on-line shopping, and on-and-on.

The market forecast report is available immediately from ElectroniCast Consultants (fee $4400). For detailed information on this or other services provided by ElectroniCast, please contact Theresa Hosking, Marketing/Sales; thosking@electronicastconsultants.com  

(Telephone/USA: 707/275-9397)

ElectroniCast Consultants – www.electronicast.com specializes in forecasting trends in technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning and consulting. ElectroniCast Consultants, as a technology-based independent forecasting firm, serves industrial companies, trade associations, government agencies, communication and data network companies and the financial community.  Reduction of the risk of major investment decisions is the main benefit provided.  ElectroniCast Consultants’ goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.

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White top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes employing tandem structure

Research Paper Abstract:

A high-efficiency white top-emitting organic light-emitting diode (TOLED) is demonstrated by introducing tandem structure. The microcavity effects are used to finalize the configuration of the tandem white TOLED. The resultant tandem white TOLED emits a complementary-color white light with the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.39, 0.43) and the color-rendering index of 70, which retains high color stability towards driving voltage. The maximum forward viewing external quantum efficiency and current efficiency of the device are 16.9% and 41.1 cd/A, respectively. The employment of the tandem structure can be an alternative method to fabricate white TOLEDs for practical applications.

Source Link: http://apl-oep.aip.org/resource/1/aploep/v5/i9/p216_s1?bypassSSO=1

Agreement to Acquire Power Analog Microelectronics

Diodes Incorporated Enters into Agreement to Acquire Power Analog Microelectronics

09/28/2012

PLANO, Texas - September 28, 2012 - Diodes Incorporated (Nasdaq: DIOD), a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality application specific standard products within the broad discrete, logic and analog semiconductor markets, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Power Analog Microelectronics, Inc. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Power Analog Microelectronics (PAM) is a provider of advanced analog and high- voltage power ICs. The company's product portfolio includes Class D audio amplifiers, DC-DC converters and LED backlighting drivers. PAM was founded in Silicon Valley in 2004 and has technical and business centers in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taipei and Tokyo.

Dr Keh-Shew Lu, President and CEO of Diodes said, "The acquisition of Power Analog Microelectronics will strengthen our position as a global provider of high- quality analog products by expanding Diodes' product portfolio with innovative "filter-less" digital audio amplifiers, application-specific power management ICs, as well as high-performance LED drivers and DC-DC converters. The highly complementary nature of our businesses will provide immediate benefits to our customers, while generating long-term value for our shareholders and employees."

Johnston C. Chen, President and CEO of Power Analog Microelectronics added, "With both companies focused on high-efficiency, space-saving analog IC products, there are tremendous synergies to be leveraged through the acquisition. The resulting expansion of product portfolios and access to a larger customer base and even greater application expertise are clear advantages to next generation product design."

For further information, visit the Company's website at www.diodes.com.

About Diodes Incorporated

Diodes Incorporated (Nasdaq: DIOD), a Standard and Poor's SmallCap 600 and Russell 3000 Index company, is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality application specific standard products within the broad discrete, logic and analog semiconductor markets. Diodes serves the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial, and automotive markets. Diodes' products include diodes, rectifiers, transistors, MOSFETs, protection devices, functional specific arrays, single gate logic, amplifiers and comparators, Hall-effect and temperature sensors; power management devices, including LED drivers, DC-DC switching and linear voltage regulators, and voltage references along with special function devices, such as USB power switches, load switches, voltage supervisors, and motor controllers. The Company's corporate headquarters, logistics center, and Americas' sales office are located in Plano, Texas. Design, marketing, and engineering centers are located in Plano; San Jose, California; Taipei, Taiwan; Manchester, England; and Neuhaus, Germany. The Company's wafer fabrication facilities are located in Kansas City, Missouri and Manchester, with two manufacturing facilities located in Shanghai, China, another in Neuhaus, and two joint venture facilities located in Chengdu, China. Additional engineering, sales, warehouse, and logistics offices are located in Fort Worth, Texas; Taipei; Hong Kong; Manchester; and Munich, Germany, with support offices located throughout the world. For further information, including SEC filings, visit the Company's website at www.diodes.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward- looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements include statements regarding our expectation that: the acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012; the acquisition of Power Analog Microelectronics will strengthen our position as a global provider of high-quality analog products by expanding Diodes' product portfolio with innovative "filter- less" digital audio amplifiers, application-specific power management ICs, as well as high-performance LED drivers and DC-DC converters; the highly complementary nature of our businesses will provide immediate benefits to our customers, while generating long-term value for our shareholders and employees; and there are tremendous synergies to be leveraged through the acquisition. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as: we may not be able to maintain our current growth strategy or continue to maintain our current performance, costs and loadings in our manufacturing facilities; risks of domestic and foreign operations, including excessive operation costs, labor shortages, higher tax rates and our joint venture prospects; unfavorable currency exchange rates; our future guidance may be incorrect; the global economic weakness may be more severe or last longer than we currently anticipated; and other information detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Recent news releases, annual reports and SEC filings are available at the Company's website: www.diodes.com. Written requests may be sent directly to the Company, or they may be e-mailed to: diodes-fin@diodes.com.


Source Link: http://diodes.com/investor/business_news/index.php?nw:e=5&nw:id=2592

Havells-Sylvania Launches Lighting Controls Business Unit

Havells-Sylvania, a leading, global, full-spectrum provider of professional and architectural lighting, has further expanded with another strand to its portfolio by launching a new business unit dedicated to lighting control systems. Launching a complete range of both occupancy and absence detectors the new unit sits alongside the company’s extensive range of architectural luminaires and reinforces Havells-Sylvania’s credentials as a one-stop shop lighting solutions provider for the specification channel.

Heading up the new business unit is Sam Woodward, a new appointment to Havells-Sylvania who in his position as SBU Manager for Lighting Control Systems, will be drawing on his experience across the professional lighting market. He sees the new division as a natural fit with the existing Havells-Sylvania lighting portfolio and good news for the end-user:

“Our extensive knowledge of the lighting eco-system, from lamps to luminaires, and now controls as well, means we are well placed to understand the savings that lighting controls can bring to unoccupied spaces,” he comments. “Our Microwave and PIR occupancy and light sensors reduce lighting related energy costs by up to 60% and cut carbon emissions which will help companies comply with the building regulations and the growing burden of legislation.

"This range highlights our expertise as a complete lighting solutions supplier whilst offering our customers something new. This is just the beginning for us in this area; we intend to grow over the next few years to help our clients by offering the complete package of lighting control solutions.”

To coincide with the launch of the new business unit Havells-Sylvania has created a comprehensive brochure outlining its new range and the benefits of using occupancy sensors.

A copy of the brochure can be obtained by visiting www.havells-sylvania.com, telephoning 0870 606 2030 or emailing uk.catalogues@havells-sylvania.com 

Distributed Intelligence in LED Lighting

 

 Digital Lumens has secured an additional patent for its distributed LED control technology, which continuously optimizes energy usage and forms the core of the Digital Lumens Intelligent Lighting System™. This breakthrough approach fundamentally redefines lighting to deliver the greatest energy efficiency in the market. The patent further cements Digital Lumens’s market leadership in intelligent industrial lighting.

“We’re proud that the Patent and Trademark Office continues to recognize the innovation we are bringing to the lighting market,” said Brian Chemel, co-author of the patent and CTO of Digital Lumens. “Digital Lumens invests heavily in its intellectual property portfolio to create tangible and differentiated value. For customers, this technology translates into dramatic energy savings and unprecedented operational insight that combine to raise expectations of what is possible with lighting, and to drive rapid adoption of LEDs in this massive market.”

Registered as #8,232,745 through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the patent application received prioritized review under the USPTO’s Green Technology Pilot Program, which was established to accelerate energy conservation, the development and deployment of green technologies, create green jobs and promote U.S. competitiveness in this vital sector. The technology covered by this patent is in all products the company has shipped.

Specifically designed for industrial lighting environments, the Digital Lumens Intelligent Lighting System features smart LED-based fixtures – all with integrated occupancy and daylight sensors – that are wirelessly networked and centrally managed to deliver light precisely when and where it is needed. LightRules, the Digital Lumens management software, provides comprehensive web-based reporting of energy usage and savings alongside a simple interface for creating and modifying lighting system settings.

About Digital Lumens
Digital Lumens develops Intelligent LED Lighting Systems that are proven to reduce industrial customers’ lighting-related electricity expenses by up to 90%.  With this System — smart lights, wirelessly networked together and centrally managed — the company is defining a new class of LED lighting that maximizes both delivered light and energy efficiency. For more information, please visit www.digitallumens.com.

STMicroelectronics and MicroOLED

STMicroelectronics and MicroOLED Move to Revolutionize High-Resolution Micro-Displays for Consumer Applications

Cooperation agreement and minority investment in MicroOLED to play a leading role in the fast-growing market of high-resolution OLED micro-displays

Geneva, August 30, 2012 -

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leading supplier of imaging technologies, today announced a strategic agreement with MicroOLED, a Grenoble, France-based company dedicated to the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), as well as a minority equity investment of approximately 6 million Euros in the company. With exceptionally high resolution and extremely low power consumption that is the most power efficient on the market, OLEDs are ideally suited to micro-displays in a wide range of portable applications, spanning from camera viewfinders, video goggles to medical and security applications.

 At about half the power consumption of competitive displays, MicroOLED’s cutting-edge technology provides superior pixel density for enhanced image quality. The technology produces OLEDs with pixel densities double those of alternate displays and contrast ratios 10 to 100x better. To complement these technology advantages, ST brings its outstanding manufacturing machine, broad consumer-market expertise, and deep IP portfolio, in the form of design, development and supply services for new micro-displays, targeting a broader range of customers and applications with the next generation of the technology.

ST owns several fully integrated CMOS processes that will be used to develop a complete product roadmap. With a large portfolio of design IP, ST will contribute to better integrate micro-display functions that today are on external controllers, which add cost and complexity to the final solution. ST’s experience in designing for low-power is key to enabling applications like video goggles.

“In recognition of the substantial growth opportunities for Electronic View Finders in digital still cameras and other applications, and in line with ST’s strategy to diversify and enhance our offerings in Imaging, we sought and found in MicroOLED the high-resolution OLED micro-displays with the best performance/quality and lowest power consumption on the market,” said Eric Aussedat, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of STMicroelectronics’ Imaging, BiCMOS ASIC and Silicon Photonics Group. “Bringing ST’s deep manufacturing and technology expertise, customer relationships and IP portfolio will accelerate adoption of OLEDs and significantly expand the market.”

“Dramatically increasing the pixel density and the picture quality while cutting the power consumption in half has greatly impressed customers,” said Eric Marcellin-Dibon, CEO and cofounder of MicroOLED. “By establishing our strategic relationship with ST, and being in a position to leverage their strong manufacturing capabilities, we’ll be able to bring the technology to the next step, expand the potential market, and help consumers see the world through amazing low-power micro-displays.”

About MicroOLED MicroOLED makes highly power-efficient micro-displays with superior image quality for mobile near-to-eye viewing devices used by consumers, medical professionals, and the defense and security industry. Through its micro-displays, MicroOLED makes it easier to integrate high definition in camera viewfinders, 3D goggles, head-mounted displays, and other visual devices. The company’s exclusive high efficiency OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology license provides significant advantages in high efficiency, contrast, uniformity, and image sharpness making its micro-displays superior in quality to the full HD image in today’s flat screens. MicroOLED’s products also benefit from very low power consumption. Founded in 2007, MicroOLED is a privately held company with headquarters, R&D and a new production facility located in Grenoble, a renowned center of excellence in France for chipset and nanotechnology development.

Click here for the high-resolution photo

About STMicroelectronics ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power technologies and multimedia convergence applications. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2011, the Company’s net revenues were $9.73 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

Source Link: http://www.st.com/internet/com/press_release/c2689.jsp

Cree Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012

DURHAM, N.C., August 7, 2012 - Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a market leader in LED lighting, today announced revenue of $306.8 million for its fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, ended June 24, 2012. This represents a 26% increase compared to revenue of $243.0 million reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 and an 8% increase compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter was $10.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, a decrease of 49% year-over-year compared to GAAP net income of $19.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 was $29.2 million, or 0.25 per diluted share, a decrease of 4% year-over-year compared to non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 of $30.6 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.

For fiscal year 2012, Cree reported revenue of $1.16 billion, which represents an 18% increase compared to revenue of $988 million for fiscal 2011. GAAP net income was $44 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, a decrease of 70% compared to $147 million, or $1.33 per diluted share for fiscal 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, net income for fiscal year 2012 was $109 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, a decrease of 42% compared to $187 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, for fiscal 2011. Cree generated $242 million of operating cash flow and $130 million of free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) during fiscal 2012.

"We finished the year strong in our fiscal fourth quarter with record revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share on the high end of our target range," stated Chuck Swoboda, Cree Chairman and CEO. "Overall, LED lighting adoption continues to increase and we remain focused on being the leader in innovation to grow our business by enabling our customers to realize the tremendous benefits of LED technology. While we are encouraged by our progress, the macroeconomic environment is impacting our growth outlook in the near term."

• Gross margin decreased 10 basis points from Q3 of fiscal 2012 to 34.8% on a GAAP basis and increased 70 basis points to 36.3% on a non-GAAP basis.
  
• Cash and investments increased $34 million from Q3 of fiscal 2012 to $745 million.
  
• Accounts receivable (net) decreased $16 million from Q3 of fiscal 2012 to $152 million, with days sales outstanding of 45.
  
• Inventory decreased $8 million from Q3 of fiscal 2012 to $189 million and represents 85 days of inventory.

Recent Business Highlights:

• Released our new CS Series LED linear luminaire to deliver fast payback to low bay lighting applications;
  
• Introduced the XLamp® XP-G2 LED to deliver luminaire manufacturers up to 20 percent more lumens per watt and 2.5 times the lumens-per-dollar over the original XP-G LED;
  
• Expanded our CR Series LED downlights, offering high performance and low prices for mainstream residential and commercial lighting applications;
  
• Raised the industry standard with a new 170 lumen-per-watt prototype LED light bulb which leverages breakthrough innovations to optimize performance, lower cost and drive LED lighting adoption;
  
• Enabled the largest municipal street lighting project in China, as the Beibei district of Chongqing recently completed the installation of 20,000 street lights featuring 1.9 million Cree LEDs;
  
• Settled our patent infringement litigation with SemiLEDs. As part of the settlement, SemiLEDs agreed to the entry of an injunction effective October 1, 2012 that prohibits the importation and sale of the SemiLEDs accused products in the United States and has made a one-time payment to us for past damages.

Business Outlook:
For its first quarter of fiscal 2013 ending September 23, 2012, Cree targets revenue in a range of $305 million to $325 million with GAAP gross margin targeted to be 36%+/- and non-GAAP gross margin targeted to be 37%+/-. Our GAAP gross margin targets include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.1 million, while our non-GAAP targets do not. Operating expenses are targeted to increase by approximately $2 million on a GAAP basis and approximately $1 million on a non-GAAP basis. The tax rate is targeted at 19.0% for fiscal Q1. GAAP net income is targeted at $10 million to $16 million, or $0.09 to $0.14 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income is targeted in a range of $27 million to $33 million, or $0.23 to $0.28 per diluted share. The GAAP and non-GAAP net income targets are based on an estimated 116.0 million diluted weighted average shares. Targeted non-GAAP earnings exclude expenses related to the amortization of acquired intangibles and stock-based compensation expense of $0.14 per diluted share.

About Cree, Inc.
Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications.
Cree's product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters.
For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com.