Zumtobel Lighting Group
From Free net encyclopedia
As a group of leading lighting brands and companies Zumtobel provides complete professional lighting solutions, luminaires, lighting management and lighting components for indoor and outdoor applications. With production facilities in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, and sales and consultancy centres in almost 100 countries, the Zumtobel Group is one of the few global players in the lighting industry. The Group is based in Dornbirn, Austria, and comprises two sub-groups: Zumtobel Lighting Group, with the Zumtobel Staff and Thorn lighting brands; and the TridonicAtco Group, which manufactures lighting components.
Zumtobel was founded in 1950 by Dr. Walter Zumtobel as "Elektrogeräte- und Kunstharzpreßwerk W. Zumtobel KG" in Dornbirn. The company produced ballasts for the newly introduced fluorescent light fittings.
In 2000 following the successful takeover of the Wassall Group of the UK, the integration of the Thorn Lighting Group - which formed part of this conglomerate - into the Zumtobel group commences. At the same time, the group of shareholders in Zumtobel AG is extended as the international financing company, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. KKR, takes a minority holding. This was the biggest merger in the European lighting industry to date.