1924. LIGHTING CARTEL ESTABLISHED
Major light bulb manufacturers set up the Phoebus cartel, which aimed to raise prices and reduce lamp lifetime by 50% to 1000 hours. It is the first documented example of planned obsolescence, where new products are designed with a shorter lifespan than the previous versions.
Light Years
Aura Light – A timeline of innovation from LUMA to LED
Made in Sweden, Aura Light was established in 1930 as Lumalampan. We still have the same rebel spirit and humble goal: to make better, longer-lasting, economical lighting solutions.
From the beginning, we set out to bring the best quality lighting at the best possible prices to our customers.
We still work hard to live up to our legacy.
To stay at the forefront, Aura Light continues to develop sustainable lighting solutions available to all through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation.
1920’s
1930’s
1930. BIRTH OF THE LUMA BRAND
Fed up with high prices and products with short lifetime, the Swedish Co-operative Union (Kooperativa Förbundet) decides to produce its own light bulbs to guarantee Swedish consumers longer-lasting light bulbs at a fair price. To open a light-bulb factory so, the union strikes an agreement with the Phoebus cartel and establishes the Luma brand.
1935. GROWING FAST
Annual LUMA production reaches 4.2 million lamps or one-third of the total lamp production in Sweden.
1939. THE PHOEBUS CARTEL IS DISBANDED
1940’s
Despite its neutrality, Sweden was blockaded during World War II. This meant that LUMA was the only company providing Swedes with lighting during this period.
1942. DEBUT OF FLOURESCENT LAMPS
Fluorescent lighting revolutionizes industrial lighting, and Luma begins production in Sweden. 1947.
MASS PRODUCTION
The LUMA factory produces 50,000 lamps a day and has 4,000 different models. Prototypes are tested atop the LUMA tower where a light always shines. Production of radios and gramophones begins.
1950’s
1950. A GROWING PRODUCT RANGE
Apart from standard consumer light bulbs, LUMA also produces specialized lamps for use in industry, film and photo studios. Projector lamps, automotive lamps and fluorescent lamps are growing industry sectors.
1959. LUMA TELEVISIONS
LUMA expands into consumer electronics. Assembly of radio and television sets, which are sold under the Lumorama, Lumona and Lumavision brand names, begins. This strategic move doubles the company’s annual turnover.
1960’s
1961. FACTORY VISIT
Swedish finance minister Gunnar Sträng holds the largest and the smallest LUMA lamps during a visit at the LUMA factory.
1969. FACTORY EXPANSION
LUMA opens factories in Karlskrona and Kalmar, Sweden.
1970’s
1970. SOLE FLUORESCENT TUBE PRODUCER
LUMA becomes the only manufacturer of fluorescent tubes in Scandinavia.
1977. STOCKHOLM FACTORY MOVES.
LUMA moves production from Stockholm to Karlskrona and Kalmar.
1980’s
1980. DEBUT OF FIRST LONG LIFE FLOURESCENT LIGHT
With its patented cathode construction and a specially designed cup, Long Life technology enables Aura Light to produce high-quality light sources with a lifetime that is at least three times longer than comparable products.
1990’s
1990. NEW DIRECTIONS – EUROPEAN EXPANSION
Aura Light opens offices in Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
1994. LUMA BECOMES AURA LIGHT.
The Swedish Co-operative Union sells LUMA, and the company is called Aura Light. Expansion continues with a drive for increased energy-efficiency and sustainability.
2000’s
2004. ZOBRA ESTABLISHED
The Swedish lighting company Zobra is established.
2007. AURA SODINETTE LONG LIFE PATENTED
Aura Light introduces the Aura Sodinette Long Life, a longer- lasting, high-pressure sodium lamp. Innovations include the addition of two super burners and Sodiguard, an additive ceramic tube designed to decelerate loss of sodium thereby extending service life to five years or 48,000 hours.
2010’s
2012. LAUNCH OF AURA LIGHT LED TUBE
Introduction of Aura Light’s first modular LED tube, the Aura UltiLED Long Life, guaranteed to last 58,000 hours /eight years.
2012. CONTROL SYSTEM ACQUISITION
Aura Light acquires IQ Sensortech, a leading supplier of lighting control systems, and expands its range with sensors. These sensors enable higher energy efficiency through improved control.
2014 A FOOTHOLD IN THE U.S.
Aura Light opens a U.S. subsidiary with the main office in California and warehouse locations and service areas in California, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Florida. This opens a new untapped market for the company.
2015 ACQUISITION OF ZOBRA AND NORAL.
In keeping with its strategy to become a total lighting solutions partner, Aura Light acquires the Swedish luminaire company Zobra, including the outdoor lighting brand Noral, strengthening Aura Light’s position as a complete provider of energyefficient lighting solutions. This is also the year when Aura Light’s Lunaria LED panel becomes the world’s most energy efficient LED panel according to SEAD.
Our journey continues…
This is what our customers think about us
“Sustainability is important for Coop and it’s important for us to work with partners that share this focus. Therefore, Aura Light was a natural choice for us. We requested an energy efficient LED solution that also enhances the customer experience in our stores”
Tord Lissel, Energy Strategist at Coop Sweden AB, Sweden,
Easy Selection: the T8 LED retrofit
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