Ketra, the innovative LED lighting that drew its influence from the natural cycles of the sun, has been acquired by Lutron, the company known for smart lighting controls and automated shading products—including one of the first dimmers of its kind, invented by Lutron’s founder, Joel Spira. (That invention is now in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.)
Ketra was founded nine years ago in Austin, Texas; the company produces customizable white, pastels and saturated color lighting options. Lutron is based in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, and offers products spanning commercial and residential use. Available in some 100 countries, Lutron says its products save an estimated 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity—or about $1 billion in utility costs—annually.
“Our company started over 57 years ago with our founders innovating the electronic light dimmer—a device that delivered beautiful light controlled by the end user,” said Mike Pessina, co-CEO and president at Lutron Electronics. “Ketra’s range of quality light complements the Lutron light control product offering and enables our customers to create a more comfortable, productive and pleasant environment at home and at work. We’re excited to deliver this expanded light-control solution to the industry.”
The acquisition is a fitting one for Lutron, said Ed Blair, the company's senior vice president. “This acquisition allows Lutron to take care of its customers with the most comprehensive portfolio of light control solutions in the industry. Moreover, it uniquely positions Lutron for the greatest success in the market’s areas of growth, like simulated natural light, smart homes and buildings and tunable white.”
Nav Sooch, CEO of Ketra, said that the benefits to his company generated by the acquisition are numerous: “Lutron’s global reach, unmatched service, support and outstanding reputation offer new opportunities to expand the market for Ketra’s unique Natural Light offering. We’re excited to join the Lutron family and together bring new solutions to our customers.”
