Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW), announced significant LED lighting technological and cost-saving improvements to its new office location in Mexico. Known in Mexico as Arrow Components Mexico, Arrow’s new 4,500 square-foot office space in Mexico City is now lit 100 percent by LEDs, including conference rooms, offices and its showroom.

Part of a cost-saving initiative that began in late 2007, the decision to use LEDs was twofold. Arrow Components Mexico wanted to invest in a long-term savings initiative while creating a showroom for LED technology for customers and suppliers. “Many of our customers in Mexico have been hesitant to adopt LEDs due to their comfort levels with fluorescent lighting,” said David Hoffmann, regional vice president at Arrow Electronics. “In order to accelerate the introduction of LEDs to the market, we knew we would have to use and promote the technology ourselves.”

LED products for the office space were chosen based on performance, cost savings and low maintenance. For example, the overhead LEDs accomplish all three objectives, as they offer the same brightness as fluorescent lighting but use about half the electricity. Additionally, because LEDs do not radiate heat, air conditioning expenses were reduced as well. Despite a higher initial cost for the LED fixtures, the payback is between two and three years depending on utility costs, and the lamps are guaranteed for 10 years.