Osram is systematically tackling its realignment. At yesterday’s meeting, the supervisory board of OSRAM Licht gave the green light for a mandate to examine the carve-out of the general lighting lamps business. As an independent entity, the business could operate more freely on the market and realize strategic options, such as for example partnerships, more easily. The businesses with opto semiconductors, automotive and specialty lighting as well as luminaires, lighting systems and solutions would as a result form the future core business of Osram. With this move, the company will increase its focus on growth, innovation and technology leadership and addresses the different dynamics and requirements in the changing lighting market.

At today’s meeting, the supervisory board of OSRAM Licht AG extended the contract of Chief Financial Officer Klaus Patzak (49) by five years until 2021, effective from April 1, 2016. Patzak, who holds a doctoral degree in business administration, has been a member of the Osram managing board since April 2011. Before that, he was Chief Accounting Officer and Controller at Siemens AG. “We are very happy to continue our work with Klaus Patzak. He had an essential part in bringing Osram’s transformation forward during difficult times and will now also accompany the company’s strategic realignment with his expertise,” said Peter Bauer, chairman of the supervisory board of OSRAM Licht AG. Additionally, the supervisory board of OSRAM Licht AG today gave the green light for a mandate to examine the carve-out of the general lighting lamps business.

Despite delivering strong sales in its LED business, Philips profits in 1Q15 declined 28% due to slowdown in its health business, reportedFinancial Times and Marketwatch.

Panasonic Corporation today reported its consolidated financial results for the year ended March 31, 2015 (fiscal 2015).

The judge’s final verdict will probably be based on Michigan Federal jury findings that two Nichia patents were invalid in the case against Everlight, said former Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) researcher Jerry Yu.

This interview performed and was published by Lumen&ExpertUnion – Russian professional magazine about light and lighting (www.lumen2b.ru) The interviewee, Alexey Malakhov. Graduated in 2007 from National Research University Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI). Cathedra specialist of lighting “Light source & Electronic starter”. Malakhov has worked in the lighting industry since 2005. He participated in the implementation of lighting projects including airport, stadium, factories, city infrastructures and transport.

The Indian government rolled out a massive green policy last October to replace the country’s 750 million tungsten bulbs with LEDs. But it will be Chinese companies that might acquire the potentially INR 240 billion (US $3.78 billion) worth of LED orders in the Indian market, due to domestic companies limited supply and lack of finances to meet this demand, reported Hindustan Times.

China-based LED company MLS recently announced the company had met its 2014 revenue target of RMB 4 billion, or 39.25% growth compared to the same period in 2013.

Cree, a market leader in LED lighting, announced revenue of US $409.5 million for its third quarter of fiscal 2015, ended March 29, 2015. This represents a 1% increase compared to revenue of $405.3 million reported for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing innovative, quality LED lighting solutions, MaxLite has appointed Greg Galluccio, an executive with more than 30 years of electrical industry experience, as vice president of product management and engineering.

German lighting giant Osram announced it will be spinning off its general lighting business including general LED lighting into an independent company.

Indian electric goods maker Havells has acquired a controlling 51% stake in LED and solar energy company Pompetec Renewable Energy Solutions, reported The Economic Times.

Lianovation recently announced its revenue was up 22.14% to RMB 1.96 billion (US $320 million) in 2014.

Seeking Alpha, a U.S. financial content service provider, has recently revealed ForceField Energy, a LED installation and energy efficient lighting company engagement in misleading paid stock promotion.

OSRAM Licht AG recorded a continued positive operative earnings development in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The adjusted EBITA of EUR151 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was positively impacted by favorable currency relations. This results in an adjusted EBITA margin of 10.8%. Based on today’s consultations, the Management Board therefore expects an adjusted EBITA margin of above 9.0% for fiscal 2015.

Corning Incorporated today announced a collaborative agreement with OLEDWorks to develop unique, flexible, and conformable OLED lighting solutions using Corning® Willow® Glass as an integrated substrate.

AIXTRON SE, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of deposition systems for the semiconductor industry, today announced that it has acquired privately held Silicon Valley-based PlasmaSi, Inc. effective 1 April 2015. The purchase price is US $16 million and will be paid in cash.

Acuity Brands and Key Equipment Finance announced that the two companies have teamed up to provide flexible financing solutions to qualified Acuity Brands customers converting to energy-efficient LED lighting and installing smart lighting networks. Key Equipment Finance is one of the largest bank-held equipment finance companies in the U.S. and an affiliate of KeyCorp.

LEDinside recently interviewed Kevin Lucido, Director of Global Marketing Communications at Lumileds, Philips, about the company’s business and technology developments after Go Scale Capital acquires the company.

LED grow light module markets at US $395 million in 2014 are forecast to reach $1.8 billion by 2021.  Rapid growth is anticipated as green house and plant factory growers find the LED grow lights improve agriculture, projected WinterGreen Research.

GO Scale Capital, an investment fund sponsored by GSR Ventures and Oak Investment Partners has announced today that it will acquire an 80.1% interest in Philips' combined LED components and Automotive lighting business, with Philips retaining the remaining 19.9%* interest. The transaction values the business at an enterprise value of approximately USD 3.3 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015, subject to closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals.

Veeco Instruments announced Susan Wang has been nominated for appointment to its Board of Directors. Her appointment is subject to shareholder approval, which is being sought at Veeco’s 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, scheduled to occur on May 13, 2015.

By replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs with LEDs, India could save up to $7 billion per year, said the country’s Power Minister Piyush Goyal recently.

Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited (SFCE) announced that it has signed an MOU with Lattice Power to acquire a 51% ownership stake in the company. SFCE's successful bid in Lattice Power is a milestone for the listed company as it transitions to become a global low carbon solutions provider. Lattice Power's gallium nitride (GaN) on silicon technology is exclusively patented worldwide, offering significant cost advantages compared to sapphire substrate technology LED. The partnership expands SFCE's portfolio and increases the profitability of the listed company.

Digital Lumens announced strategic expansions to its team, with Kaynam Hedayat joining as Vice President of Product Management, and Jason Hanna as Director of Software Products. These new executives will help Digital Lumens expand its lighting and energy management solution portfolio, which brings the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) to commercial and industrial customers worldwide.

Backlight orders have eased this month, but will rebound in April, a UDN report cited Epistar Chairman B.J. Lee saying at Taiwan International Lighting Show (TILS) 2015.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Wells Lighting, a Korea-based light manufacturer, will locate its first North American headquarters in Millen, creating more than 200 jobs and investing $30 million into the project over the next two years.

Beleaguered Sharp will be shedding 10% of its workforce, and inject 200 billion Japanese Yen (US $1.66 billion) in a global restructure plan, reported Reuters and several other Japanese media including Nikkei.

HC Semitek reported exponential revenue growth during 2014 fiscal year, reported Chinese-media Sina.

Lunera® Lighting, a leader in lighting innovations accelerating the transformation to advanced LED technology, is pleased to announce it has selected Industry Data Exchange Association (IDEA) Industry Data Warehouse (IDW) as its electronic data synchronization platform. Electronic data transfer makes it easier for Lunera to quickly connect with its own salesforce and customers for more effective business-to-business e-commerce.