Toshiba International Corporation (TIC) of Houston, Texas has announced a reorganization affecting its LED Lighting Systems Division. Toshiba Lighting and Technology Corporation (TLT), headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan, is responsible for Toshiba’s global lighting businesses and is implementing a reorganization of international operations. As a result, the LED Lighting Systems Division within TIC will discontinue most operations by March 31, 2014.

Greenstar Lighting Products Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba, will take over responsibilities for Toshiba Lighting in the America. TLT is making important changes in its global priorities for products and geographic markets and is restructuring operations to sharpen market focus and improve cost efficiency.

In the Americas, these changes will include transferring street lighting operations for U.S. to Greenstar, de-emphasizing lamp and bulb products, and increasing focus on professional grade street and outdoor lighting systems.

TLT is also making adjustments in its other operations around the world. In addition to continuing its pursuit of LED lighting business in the US and EU, TLT will strengthen capabilities and increase resources devoted to the rapidly growing Latin America, Asia, India, and ASEAN markets. As LED technology advancement enables more compelling total cost of ownership solutions the company intends to strongly increase its emphasis on fixtures and lighting controls systems.

Ken Honeycutt Senior Vice President for TIC and Chief Venture Executive of the LED Lighting Systems Division stated that, “Toshiba’s global commitment to LED lighting remains strong. LED lighting is an essential component of Toshiba systems for high efficiency intelligent buildings and integrated smart city installations. These applications are primary targets for Toshiba’s new Smart Community business. San Antonio is a terrific location for the new lighting headquarters since a number of other Toshiba businesses are doing business and locating operations within this emerging clean technology business community”.  

“For four years TIC has been responsible for nurturing the Americas LED lighting business through the startup phase. We’re proud of the contributions we’ve made and respect that these changes are a necessary evolution into the next phase of Toshiba’s global LED lighting strategy”, said TIC President and CEO Tatsuo Doko.