Wayne's Independence LED Lighting is celebrating its namesake holiday all month with a $10 million giveaway program to small businesses.
The maker of LED tubes and LED fixtures will cover up to $10,000 per business for the first 1,000 that register this month. Services include a cash-for-clunkers buy back on fluorescent tubes (when replaced with LED lighting), a lighting savings analysis, manufacturer-direct pricing, zero-cost financing and free installation.
Independence moved its manufacturing from China to Pennsylvania in 2010 in order to increase quality assurance, reduce transportation costs and improve delivery time to its customer base, concentrated between Washington, D.C. and New York City, says CEO Charlie Szoradi.
Since then, he adds, the company has increased its line from about 12 products to over 1,200, and has sold LED lighting to Fortune 100 companies such as Morgan Stanley and Metlife; its wares have also been used to outfit over 25 Navy ships.
Independence cites data showing that with over 2.3 billion fluorescent tubes in American ceilings, the advantages of making the switch are extraordinary. Over the 20-year life of LEDs, the savings would be $331.2 billion and 3.7 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide. Replacing other bulbs could double that savings.
The company employs about 50 people across management, sales and production, and Szoradi anticipates significant hiring as Independence explores expanding production with sister manufacturing in California, Canada and Mexico.
Source: Charlie Szoradi, Independence LED Lighting
Writer: Elise Vider