Demand for lighting equipment jumped 4.4% between the second and third quarters of 2015 to achieve what the National Lighting Bureau hails as “the best quarterly performance since the second quarter of 2008.” The dramatic improvement – a 4.8% year-over-year gain – was revealed by data developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for the NEMA Lighting-Systems Index (LSI). According to NLB Executive Director John Bachner, “Three months ago we said that ‘lighting-equipment demand is moving in the right direction’ and “We’re optimistic that the next report will show continued growth over the third quarter.’ Our optimism has been justified; in fact, it has been more than justified. Lighting’s back!”

NEMA lighting index performance from first quarter of 2002 to third quarter of 2015. (NEMA/LEDinside)

The NEMA Lighting-Systems Index (LSI) is a seasonality- and inflation-adjusted composite measure of luminaires, ballasts, miniature lamps, large lamps, and emergency lighting shipped throughout the United States by the lighting-equipment manufacturers of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). NEMA used 2002 data to create the LSI’s 100-point benchmark.

According to Laurie M. Miller, NEMA’s director of statistical operations, third-quarter 2015’s increase was driven by the Index’ fixtures component; it experienced demand strong enough to offset declines in shipments of miniature and large lamps, emergency lighting, and ballasts. Bachner commented, “It’s fair to assume that at least some of these declines reflect a market that is adjusting to new technology that has greatly extended lamp life and reduced the need for ballasts. “Insofar as lighting is concerned, we’re definitely living in interesting times,” said Bachner.