Comments on: 5 Questions for the CEO of Philips Lighting North America

By: 10 Companies that Scored the Fed’s Building Efficiency Funds

10 Companies that Scored the Fed’s Building Efficiency Funds — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:02:14 +0000

[...] is a major player in the lighting business and has introduced energy-efficient LED bulbs (see our Q&A with the CEO of Philips Lighting North America), so the foray into a broader building efficiency [...]

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 15 May 2010 13:20:05 +0000

I have had a similar experience as Waltinseattle. I was looking for a bright 12V LED for a solar shed project last summer and for a solar/LED yard light I am making this summer. I ended up buying off the internet - 4W, 78 LEDs with an MR16 connection. The The bulbs came shipped directly from Hong Kong. I was disappointed but not really surprised by this.

I am glad the big players in the US are finally taking this seriously. With energy efficient lighting, it makes it possible to do much more with a solar energy source.

By: Andre

Andre — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:19:59 +0000

Regardless of cost or reasoning, I'll be glad to have the option of switching. Currently the only way I can get my hands on LED is online and going to Fry's (which isn't to close to me.)

By: waltinseattle

waltinseattle — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:35:29 +0000

The Asian Tigers are already in the water. I bought a 15 water for 15 bucks at Fryes Electronic some 3 months ago, called the mfg/distributor company based here on the 'sa;ish 'sea. He said no direct online sales but coming soon on Amazon. Well, that's a no can do for cardless me who uses feet and cash. But at least I can still walk into the electronic superstore, for now- depends on the strong arm at Amazon or not- exclusive rights and all that new monopoly stuff you may be very dimly aware of but can't wrap your head around very well...

Phillips is playing coward, IMHO. The answer to "why now" was pathetic. And the bit about aquisitions was not even debatable enough to ask about ---of course they want to opt out the competitors. Buyouts are often the best cheapest and most time efficient way to do so.

By: Katie Fehrenbacher

Katie Fehrenbacher — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:32:43 +0000

@FTM. Can't wait for the time when $40 to $60 per bulb seems ridiculously high

By: FTM

FTM — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:27:22 +0000

The LED lights market is clearly at a pre-swell stage. In fact, like with several other technologies, the fact that Philips tries to make a splash is the best indication that it is too early for the common man to get into. The costs are still high, the tech not mature yet and the concept is still not bought by the customers at large.

Wait till the end of the year and you will see the big names get more humble. Early 2011, the asian tigers will pounce on this concept. Prices will go south as volumes head north. By mid 2011, consumer acceptance will swell.

And by 2012, we will not think twice about LED lights. There are chances though that some of us may blink when we hear that Philips also makes (or used to make) such stuff. At least, until we hear that they charged a princely $60 for their old-tech LED lights.