After conveying disappointing results for the first-quarter of 2015, when lighting-equipment demand was 3.6% below fourth-quarter 2014 demand, the latest NEMA Lighting-Systems Index (LSI) results show that a modest rebound occurred during 2015’s second-quarter: Demand was up 0.4% over first-quarter performance and 2.2% above second-quarter 2014 performance. “While quarter-over-quarter performance may not be something to ‘write home about,’” said National Lighting Bureau Executive Director John Bachner, “year-over-year results are definitely encouraging and quarter-over-quarter results show that lighting-equipment demand is moving in the right direction. We’re optimistic that the next report will show continued growth over the third quarter.”

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, the second-quarter demand increase was driven principally by shipments of emergency lighting and fixtures. Shipments of ballasts, large lamps, and miniature lamps declined. Bachner commented, “We need to bear in mind that the lighting market itself is changing, especially because of LED technology. LED lighting doesn’t use ballasts and, in many cases, it doesn’t use fixtures, in the sense that a lamp and fixture are integrated to comprise a single component.”