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Your humble editor caught up with Zia Efketkhar, the
upcoming Chief Executive Officer of Philips Professional Luminaires North
America. He stepped out of customer function in Memphis and his initial
statement regarded the challenging business environment facing our industry.
In his new position he will manage the fixture business in a
fashion similar to Larry Powers, the former CEO of Genlyte, but with the huge
opportunities being a part of the Philips organization offers.
Zia explained, “It is a real opportunity to combine the entrepreneurial
style, the multiple brands, and the multiple sales channels with the
unbelievable strength that Philips offers.”
Specifically, he emphasized the Philips commitment to SSL, their research
and development, their global position, and their vertical capability.
I asked how the entrepreneurial and decentralized former
Genlyte brands were working in a centralized Philips organization. Zia
explained, “It is working quite well.
Philips has been dominant in the luminaire business world-wide, but had a
zero presence in North America.
Philips looked for a luminaire organization in North America and they concluded
that the multiple brands model that we offer is ultimately better than the
monolithic model.” He went on to
say that there could be 45 brands or 25 brands, but there will always be brands.
He emphasized that Philips is committed to continuing their multiple
brands model.