Industrial LED lighting: reasons to invest
When you stop to consider the future of your business, what are your biggest priorities? For the majority of managers, these will include focusing on financial growth, productivity and employee engagement.
While it may not be the first investment that you think of, upgrading to modern LED lighting can help your organisation achieve each of these objectives - and more.
Happiness and productivity
Productivity isn't everything, but in the long run it is almost everything, said the prominent economist Paul Krugman.
The productivity deficit has been confounding economists for years, but now new research reports a link between productivity and happiness. The study, from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and British multinational telecoms firm BT, reveals that workers are 13% more productive when happy1.
So how can lighting improve the mood of the workforce, and hopefully make us all more productive?
Certainly, the majority of us would say we feel more energised and optimistic when exposed to light, bright environments.
Industrial facilities may be challenging to illuminate, but an LED upgrade can dramatically transform the environment, enabling workers to benefit from bright light when and where they need it. Schréder’s LEDs also have an unrivalled ability to replicate daylight and are also tuneable, which means they can also be adjusted in colour and intensity throughout the day, to support our circadian rhythms. In the morning, for example, staff can be exposed to blue-rich light, which closely replicates sunlight and acts as a stimulant.
Comfort and performance
Well-designed LED lighting can vastly improve visual comfort too, making it easier for staff to operate efficiently both inside and outdoors. Unlike some outmoded forms of lighting, quality LED high bays and floodlights don’t flicker or cause headaches. Instead, they emit evenly-diffused light, which improves visibility and reduces the risk of eyestrain. In packing areas, high bay fixtures also distribute light vertically, which enables workers to read labels clearly and operate efficiently, minimising mistakes.
Health and safety
Warehouses and factories are notoriously hazardous environments - data from Eurostat shows that in 2015, nearly one third (31.6%) of all non-fatal workplace accidents in the EU occurred on industrial sites2.
Of course, we rely on clear visibility to help us avoid potentially dangerous situations, and this is where a lighting upgrade can make a real difference. In fact, research suggests that improving workplace lighting can reduce accidents by as much as 60%3.
Schréder’s industrial-grade LED luminaires provide bright, evenly dispersed illumination, which reduces areas of shadow and glare. This affords staff clear visibility and makes them less vulnerable as a result. Forklift drivers can quickly detect obstacles, while those working on foot can avoid slippery spillages and other hazards.
Economy and ecology
Switching from outmoded forms of lighting to industrial LEDs can significantly improve your financial margins, too. Up to 40% of a building’s electricity use is accounted for by lighting, and investing in a low energy alternative will pay dividends in as little as 18 months4. LEDs also last longer and are more reliable, which means you save on maintenance and repair costs.
This is particularly pertinent in the industrial sector, where repairing fixtures may involve making the costly decision to halt production lines. In the automotive industry, for example, Business Insider estimates that one minute of unexpected downtime forfeits manufacturers €19,000 a minute5. Thankfully though, Schréder’s reliable LED fixtures can last 50,000-100,000 hours, which is considerably longer than traditional incandescent, fluorescent or high-pressure sodium lighting, and up to five times as long as metal halide lighting.
LED lighting controls can also amplify the financial and environmental benefits of an upgrade. For example, fixtures can be fitted with motion sensors, which ensures that an area is only illuminated when really necessary. In fact, when combined with our control system our LED luminaires can reduce energy and operating costs by up to 80%.
Many industrial facilities are hesitant to upgrade to LED lighting, but it will reduce costs, engage employees and enhance the working environment. The return on investment will soon outweigh the initial outlay too. Surely, these are benefits that no business can afford to miss out on?
Cédric joined Schréder in 2013 with a solid experience in marketing. With his expertise and industry knowledge, Cédric leads the Industry and Large Area Business segments including Sport Lighting and BREEAM certification. He collaborates with our research, product development, sales teams worldwide and sport associations to deliver sustainable and energy efficient lighting solutions, tailored to each individual project using the latest in lighting calculation software, lighting management systems and BIM techniques.
Connect with Cédric on LinkedIn
1 SSRN
2 Eurostat
3 ASCE
4 Carbon Trust
5 Business Insider