ULT Sold … Who’s Next?

In case you haven’t heard, Universal Lighting Technologies was recently sold. The announcement,

“Littlejohn & Co. has agreed to sell Universal Lighting Technologies Inc. to Matshusita Electric Works Ltd. No financial terms were disclosed. Universal Lighting designs and manufacturers lighting ballasts and control systems, and was acquired by Littlejohn via a 2001 carveout from Magntek Inc. Get more info.”

Could this be an effort by Matshusita’s to significantly increase its presence in the lighting industry (given its involvement in LED lighting and other technologies)? Could it be a precourser to expansion into the fixture market (Acuity (Lithonia) has been mentioned in financial circles as a potential future acquisition for someone) or an exit strategy for GE of the GE Consumer & Industrial division? Matshusita is also involved in building products and automation, amongst other ventures.

Could they become a future industry player? Does this say something about the changing lighting industry, or about the development of an integrated company – from automation to lighting controls to fixtures, ballast, lamps and more?