It’s a little unusual when two name-brand companies in our industry come together and openly collaborate on an offering, using the strengths of both companies.

This isn’t to say that companies don’t sell components to each other, as that is not too unusual. This usually occurs through OEM groups that many manufacturers have.

But, this time, Legrand’s Wattstopper division is collaborating with Genlyte Solutions’ Gardco brand in a new, unified, approach to networked lighting got outdoor applications.

Wattstopper and Genlyte (Gardco) Connect

According to a press release during LEDucation …

Legrand®, with its Wattstopper® controls portfolio, announced a strategic partnership with Genlyte Solutions. Customers in the US and Canada now have the option of adding the new Wattstopper® FSP-600 “Fixture Sensor Photocell” to provide controls with Genlyte’s Gardco architectural outdoor luminaire brand. This enables specifiers to streamline their connected lighting project planning with validated compatibility and support a smooth transition from design to installation.

“Our goal is to simplify outdoor lighting project coordination for specifiers, contractors and distributors. Partnering with Genlyte Solutions empowers our mutual agency representatives to help customers move from design to installation with greater ease, confidence and speed,” said Bob Bonacci, President, Wattstopper, Legrand, North & Central America.

“Genlyte Solutions is committed to giving our customers and agents greater flexibility to achieve their outdoor lighting projects,” said Kevin Poyck, President, Genlyte Solutions, a Signify business. “With this collaboration, we are offering another option to integrate controls and unlock the benefits of a connected lighting system.”

The FSP-600 controls 0-10V and non-dimming LED drivers or ballasts and, with an FSP-Lx Lens, is rated for wet and cold locations. As components of the Wattstopper PLUS control system, device parameters and operations are fully configurable, and devices are easily integrated into a full-site dashboard within Polaris software.”

Thoughts

Collaboration of this kind can bring opportunity to many … customers, distributors, reps / agencies … as it tends to broaden market potential. And hopefully this will bring benefits to all.

• Bob’s comment of “empowers our mutual agency representatives” infers that there is overlap in representation, and hopefully this is the vast majority as it then begs the question of “what happens in territories where there is not a common agency?”
• Presumably for distributors, this is ordered under a Genlyte Gardco SKU number which, from a distributor perspective, inevitably will lead to rebate questions (but it’s only an issue if there is significant volume.)

Every good initiative inevitably has some details that need to be ironed out, but nothing that is insurmountable.

The key is, creative ideas expand opportunities.