Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation today announced that it will expand its LED lamp lineup in Europe to offer as many as 55 models this year*1 as the company aims to increase sales in the European LED lighting market it entered in 2011.
With the expanded selection of products, combined with its industry-leading, cutting-edge LED lighting technology cultivated in Japan, Panasonic aims to achieve 15 billion yen in sales from its LED lighting business in Europe, including lamps and devices, in the fiscal year from April 2015 to March 2016.
In Europe, where people take pride in being environmentally conscious, the shift towards energy-efficient LED lighting is well underway. The German business-to-consumer LED lighting market, for example, doubled in size in 2012 compared to the previous year*2.
Since introducing a 20W equivalent clear-type LED lamp in Europe in 2011, which was followed by a 40W version in 2012, Panasonic has seen steady sales growth in the European LED lighting market. The company is now strengthening the lineup with more offerings in an affordable price range as well as a wide variety of styles, from clear-type bulbs to conventional bulb-shaped lights, candle-shaped lamps and halogen-type lamps.
Panasonic is also expanding its sales channels. The company, which had focused on the business-to-business market until now, is adding DIY shops and mass retailers of home appliances to its sales network. The expansion is currently under way, mostly in Germany, Italy, Austria, Benelux and France, with an aim to further expand the sales network throughout Europe in fiscal year 2015, ending March 2015.
10,000 Panasonic LED light bulbs installed at Prague Castle
Panasonic's LED light bulbs have been highly appraised in eco-conscious Europe for their excellence in energy efficiency, long lifespan as well as outstanding design. They were chosen to replace around 10,000 incandescent light bulbs used to light up chandeliers and under the eaves of Prague Castle, helping make the UNESCO World Heritage site in the Czech Republic environmentally friendly and easy to maintain with its historic atmosphere kept intact. The replacement of the incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs has led to energy savings of around 77%*3.
Clear-type LED lamp receives the 2013 Japanese Invention and Innovation Award
In the 2013 Japanese Invention and Innovation Awards organized by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, Panasonic's clear-type LED lamp received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for the "design of a light emitting diode lamp that cultivates an eco-friendly culture in the world." This product has also received many other coveted design awards, such as the iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award and the Universal Design Award in Germany, the IDEA Award in the United States and the Good Design Award in Japan.
Notes:
*1: Some models are on sale already.
*2: Source: "Gfk Consumer Choice report Jan - Dec, 2012".
*3: Comparison of the power consumption of the replaced 10,000 light bulbs and newly installed LED bulbs. (Research carried out by Panasonic)
- The nostalgic glow of LEDs shines at the Prague Castle, a World Heritage site
- Panasonic casts a warm glow over World Heritage sites - Prague Castle -
(Updated a of June 6,2013)
New LED light bulbs for Europe
Main Panasonic LED lamps at Prague Castle
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates over 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.30 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2013. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.
