Demand for high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, as measured by NEMA’s HID shipment indexes, remained soft during 2013Q3. Seasonally adjusted shipments of sodium vapor lamps dipped 3.2 percent on a quarterly basis (QoQ), falling to a new series low. Similarly, mercury vapor lamp shipments reached the second lowest level in the series, declining by 5.5 percent QoQ. Metal halide lamps, the largest HID lamp segment, contracted by 1.6 percent QoQ.

Top: North America HID lamp sales index. Bottom: Market penetration rates for different luminaires. (LEDinside/ NEMA)

Marginal shifts in market shares for each lamp type occurred during the quarter. Shares of sodium and mercury vapor lamps declined slightly to 32.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. Metal halide lamps increased by 50 basis points to a share of 63.1 percent.

NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceed US$100 billion annually.