As the nation prepares to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, a time for recognizing the hard work of American workers, the maker of SYLVANIA light bulbs in the United States is announcing it has invested millions of dollars to keep and add local manufacturing jobs and increase U.S. production of something we all depend on – the light bulb. This initiative transitions 200 jobs from making traditional lighting products, whose demand has been declining, to new LED technology and also adds 20 new jobs.

(Image: LEDVANCE)

LEDVANCE has achieved this milestone by upgrading its St. Marys, Pennsylvania and Versailles, Kentucky factories. The lighting leader is celebrating this announcement at its St. Marys, Pennsylvania factory today with Walmart, which has made a 10-year commitment to buy an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs. New SYLVANIA LED light bulbs assembled in the U.S. are at Walmart stores nationwide and will be in additional retailers and sold via industrial commercial channel partners in the near future.

“We are continuing to advance light by combining cutting-edge LED lighting technology with the manufacturing and R&D expertise of our U.S. factory workers and engineers,” said Jes Munk Hansen, CEO, LEDVANCE. “We are the first company in our industry to have a significant LED portfolio like this in the United States, an effort made possible by our first-rate employees. By upgrading our factories and equipment and evolving our business processes, our local workers are bringing light to the nation with modern SYLVANIA LED lighting assembled right here in the U.S.”

LED technology has been called the future of lighting for its long life and energy savings benefits. LED light bulbs can last up to 22 years and save up to 85 percent on electricity. LEDVANCE is the first general lighting company to now have a significant LED light bulb portfolio made in the U.S. with U.S. and imported parts. This is one of the fastest producing assembly lines in the world for LED light bulbs, working three to four times faster than other lighting manufacturers.

“Our customers have told us that second to price, where products are made influences their purchase decisions,” said Cindi Marsiglio, vice president, U.S. manufacturing, Walmart. “We are focused on buying great quality products like SYLVANIA light bulbs that create jobs in communities across the U.S. It makes sense for our customers, our communities and our company.”

Based on data from Boston Consulting Group, it’s estimated that 1 million new U.S. jobs will be created through Walmart’s initiative, including direct manufacturing job growth of approximately 250,000, and indirect job growth of approximately 750,000 in the support and service sectors.

LEDVANCE has over 1,500 employees in the U.S. in 40 states. To meet some of the U.S. employees that bring SYLVANIA light bulbs to you, watch this video. To learn more about how the history of LEDVANCE and its SYLVANIA general lighting products dates back to 1901 in the U.S., click here.

LEDVANCE is proud of the innovation shown in the development of SYLVANIA general lighting products, moving from incandescent to energy-saving halogen lighting and compact fluorescent lighting to LED lighting. Increased customers’ acceptance of LED light bulbs has shifted demand for the traditional products made in the plants for decades. LEDVANCE officials looked at how to meet the increased demand for LED lighting but change how the company brought some products to market in order to prevent the loss of U.S. jobs and manufacturing. A majority of LED light bulbs in the industry are imported from Asia.

With this new initiative, individual components are delivered to the St. Marys and Versailles factories for many popular long-lasting, energy-efficient SYLVANIA LED general lighting products, such as A-line LED light bulbs used in table lamps and fixtures and BR LED light bulbs you see in ceilings. The SYLVANIA LED light bulbs are assembled via the new manufacturing lines managed and operated by U.S. employees, with most of the products using glass made at the Versailles factory.

In addition to the new SYLVANIA LED light bulbs, the factories also make world class SYLVANIA traditional lighting like halogen light bulbs and long life fluorescent tubes, which continue to be excellent options, with U.S. and imported parts.