The first LED lighting system for store fixtures is now available from Stylmark Inc. as an option with its aluminum and steel display cases and shelving units. The use of tiny light emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of halogen or fluorescent lamps produces a smaller lighting module that in turn delivers slim-profile shelves and more viewable merchandising space, along with operational benefits such as less heat, longer bulb life, and lower voltage requirements and maintenance costs.

Built with high-brightness Luxeon LEDs from Lumileds Lighting, Stylmark's patent-pending LED display lighting is particularly useful in environments with heat-sensitive merchandise such as chocolates and cosmetics as well as products that sparkle such as jewelry, watches, crystal and artwork. An LED-lit display case delivers crisp, directed, sparkling light with minimal heat directed onto the merchandise.

Stylmark's LED-based fixtures also provide a useful lamp life of 50,000 hours that translates into nearly six years of continuous operation, can be linked together in order to run multiple cases or shelving units with a single power supply, and will significantly reduce lifetime operational costs by saving energy and minimizing or eliminating bulb replacement.

Many of these capabilities stem directly from the use of Lumileds' Luxeon LEDs. Luxeon's industry-leading brightness reduces the number of LEDs required per light assembly, for example. Stylmark's LED lighting modules therefore have the smallest possible footprint, creating a more open line of sight for the company's showcases as well as thinner and sleeker illuminated shelving.

Stylmark also selected Luxeon LEDs because of their longevity and the color rendering properties of Lumileds' industry-first warm white LEDs. Luxeon's patented lensing system prevents yellowing that shortens the useful life of other semiconductor-based light sources, and the warm white version overcomes the wavelength limitations that make conventional white LEDs unsuitable for lighting colorful merchandise.

Stylmark has integrated Luxeon LEDs into a complete package with customized heat sinks, drivers and power supplies to provide reliable light output and multi-fixture power sharing capabilities. The lamps in both the showcases and shelving units are concealed from the customer's view, with the shelf lighting hidden on the underside of each shelf to spread light evenly to the one below.

“LEDs are best known as indicator lights used on computers and printers, but they are entering mainstream lighting because of recent engineering advances that have increased their light output,” said Carol Perry, Stylmark marketing manager. “Our LED-based display lighting system harnesses the benefits of LED technology to bring new aesthetic and operational advantages to retailers.”

“Stylmark's illumination of store fixtures with LEDs marks another milestone in the evolution of LED lighting as well as an excellent example of how the LED alternative can both open new design possibilities and cut costs,” said Keith Scott of Lumileds Lighting. “LEDs are already displacing bulbs in automotive taillights, flashlights and architectural lighting and will do the same in many retail lighting applications.”

About Stylmark Inc.

Stylmark is a leading designer and manufacturer of aluminum and steel products for retail, hospitality, entertainment and other commercial environments. Product lines include open sell systems, showcase frames, cabinet and shelf lighting, architectural trim and glass wall hardware, with the industry's most expansive anodized color palette for aluminum products as well as a wide variety of finishes for both aluminum and stainless steel. The company also has the capability to create custom products to fit special needs through its in-house design engineering department. For more information, call Stylmark at 800-328-2495 or visit www.stylmark.com.

About Lumileds Lighting

Lumileds Lighting is the world's leading manufacturer of high-power LEDs and a pioneer in the use of solid-state lighting solutions for everyday purposes including automotive lighting, camera flash, LCD displays and televisions, portable lighting, projection and general lighting. The company's patented Luxeon Power Light Sources are the first to combine the brightness of conventional lighting with the small footprint, long life and other advantages of LEDs. Lumileds also supplies core LED material and LED packaging, and manufactures billions of LEDs annually. Lumileds is headquartered in San Jose, California, with operations in the Netherlands, Japan and Malaysia and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, call Lumileds at 408-435-6111 or visit www.lumileds.com.