WAC Lighting International Sales Manager Thomas Wang Participates in USAID SARI/Energy Sponsored South Asia Lighting Transformation Forum
MALE, MALDIVES - Joining high-level political and industry officials and aid organizations to lead the transition from traditional to energy efficient lighting in developing nations, WAC Lighting International Sales Manager Thomas Wang attended the South Asia Lighting Transformation Forum during January, in Male, a city in The Republic of Maldives. WAC Lighting is a global manufacturer and designer of track, recessed, undercabinet, monorail and decorative lighting.
The forum was developed to create a five-year roadmap for introducing energy efficient lighting to South Asia in order to help those emerging markets be more environmentally responsible as they industrialize. Issues addressed included energy costs/savings, economic growth, safety and security benefits, reduced maintenance, waste disposal and hazards, and improved education of future generations. The conference identified challenges such as costs and strategies for infrastructures, manufacturing equipment and supplies, and training while developing channels for local resources, entrepreneurs and businesses.
"South Asia is increasing its population, accelerating industrialization and expanding electricity grids to rural areas while energy demand continues to grow," explains Mr. Wang, "Lighting will continue to play a dominant role and solid-state technology has become a key factor."
In 2010, WAC Lighting began its humanitarian efforts in Sri Lanka by donating luminaires to be installed in an educational Lighting Research Center where design and construction professionals could go and experience new lighting technologies in person. The Center emphasized the combined benefits and possibilities of energy efficient lighting and quality of lighting design.
Guest speaker and President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, emphasized a need for unity in the region to convert to energy efficient lighting. The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Patricia A. Butenis, also spoke at the conference to show American support for developing energy efficient lighting in the region. USAID is an independent federal government agency that advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. The agency funded a major portion of this event and attracted officials from South Asian nations. Below is a list of some top state and industry officials that spoke at the conference:
o S. Padmanaban, Director of SARI/Energy Program for USAID in India
o M.M.C. Ferdinando, Secretary from the Ministry of Power and Energy of Sri Lanka
o Kapil Mohan, Deputy Director General in the Bureau of Energy Efficiency for the Government of India
o Upali Daranagama, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power & Energy for Sri Lanka
o Dr. Nadarajah Narendran, Director of Research and Associate Professor from the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York USA
o Greg Merritt, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, for Cree Inc. USA
o Dr. Makarand H. Chipalkatti, Senior Director, SSL & Emerging Marketing Initiatives for OSRAM Sylvania Inc. USA
o K. V. Harinarayanan, Director of Products for GE Lighting India
o Indranil Goswami, General Manager and Head, Lighting Application Services for Philips Lighting in India
o Fu Yuan, CSA Consulting Department Manager, China Solid State Alliance
o Peter Banwell, Director, Product Marketing, U.S. EPA Energy Star Program
USAID and SARI/Energy (South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy) sponsored the program in cooperation with the Regional Centre for Lighting, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (based in Troy, NY), and the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) of the Maldives.
Maldives is located southwest of Sri Lanka, in the Indian Ocean.
About WAC Lighting
WAC Lighting, a leading manufacturer and designer of track, recessed, undercabinet, monorail and decorative lighting, has developed a stellar reputation for upscale decorative and task lighting lines backed by an extraordinary level of service, an incomparable shipping record, and a Five Year Product Warranty.
The company uses the brand standard "Responsible Lighting" to reflect Responsible manufacturing practices, energy saving technology, stringent sourcing, water recycling, lead-free and zero-landfill capabilities. Nearly 90% of WAC products, including components, are fabricated in its wholly owned, clean ISO 9001-certified manufacturing campus with in-house U.L. certified testing labs.
WAC offers a broad range of award-winning products including: stunning art glass pendants; Low/Line Voltage Track Systems; Line and Low Voltage Recessed Downlights; Line/Low-Voltage Single and Two-Circuit Monorail Systems; the Award Winning INVISILED®, LED tape systems for indoor and outdoor applications; Wall Sconces; Mono and Multipoint fixtures; Counter Balance Adjustables; SMART Transformers; and other specialty lighting items.
WAC Lighting is headquartered at 615 South Street, Garden City, New York 11530. The phone is 1.800.526.2588, and the fax is 1.800.526.2585. The email address is sales@waclighting.com and the website is www.waclighting.com.
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Contact: Christopher Pica
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