Date: Feb 05, 2014 Author: Lauren K. Ohnesorge Source: bizjournals (
click here to go to the source)
Cree's latest innovation, lighting control technology set to further improve efficiency, will mean an uptick in its Durham manufacturing.
That's according to a company spokesperson who confirms components of what's called SmartCast Technology will be manufactured in Durham, with assembly scheduled at a Wisconsin factory. Some components of the fixtures will be manufactured overseas.
No word on hires as a result of the new product line, but Cree (Nasdaq: CREE) did release a statement in response to our inquiry: "As Cree continues to introduce innovative products like SmartCast Technology that generate demand, it drives us to resource those needs as necessary."
Last year, after the introduction of consumer-priced bulbs, Cree said it had made triple digit hires to staff a local manufacturing facility.
Cree anticipates $12 billion could be saved by implementing lighting control in the commercial sector.
And, as LED adoption increases, lighting controls are "the next logical step," according to a company statement.
The technology, which includes daylight sensing so that lights can be dimmed automatically when the sun is available, is already being used at North Carolina State University and Lord Corp. in Cary.
