Historical Timeline of Ruud Lighting

2011

• BetaLED introduces four new products at the LIGHTFAIR International tradeshow - OL™ Series linear luminaires; BetaLED SLM™ IP66 area luminaires; LEDway SLM™ and LEDway SLM™ IP66 streetlights; and Essentia® Surface Cylinder architectural interior luminaires.
• Ruud Lighting, Inc., is acquired by publicly-held North Carolina-based Cree, Inc. on August 17, 2011 for an estimated cost of $525 million.
• Alan Ruud, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ruud Lighting joins the Cree Board of Directors and Christopher Ruud remains the President of Ruud Lighting.
• Ruud Lighting announces 208,000 square foot facility expansion focusing on manufacturing and assembly of LED lighting, creating 469 full-time jobs over the next four years.

2010

• BetaLED introduces the 304 Series™ luminaires, for recessed and surface mount applications. It is the first luminaire to achieve performance over 100 LPW.
• The BetaLED product line expands to include interior lighting. Essentia® interior LED recessed and surface luminaires are introduced at LIGHTFAIR.
• BetaLED’s streetlight product line grows. The LEDway SLM™ streetlight is introduced at LIGHTFAIR.

2009

• Street Smart technology is launched with LEDway streetlights in a media event held at the Ruud Lighting headquarters, demonstrating wireless communication controls capabilities for streetlights.
• Ruud Lighting Global Summit is held with international agents and representatives.
• Christopher Ruud is promoted to President of Ruud Lighting.  Alan Ruud maintains chairman and CEO responsibilities.
• A manufacturing-distributor agreement is reached with India-based Bajaj Electricals Limited®.
• The 227 Series™ luminaire, for interior recessed and exterior soffit applications, is added to the BetaLED product line.

2008

• Architectural Recessed luminaires replace the existing Ruud Lighting recessed product line.
• The LEDway streetlight product line is launched and mass production begins.

2007

• Troffers and Surface luminaires are added to the product line.
• BetaLED is introduced at LIGHTFAIR to compete in the Light Emitting Diode industry with a product line branded THE EDGE.
• The company launches a line of interior LED luminaires branded as KramerLED.

2006

• A new EZ Bay Plus product line replaces the original EZ Bay.
• Full Cutoff Wall Pack, AeroDome and Indirect Linear products introduced.
• LED initiatives started.

2005

• Luma Lamps are launched including a catalog and e-commerce web site.
• Beta Lighting publishes a new full-line catalog, Beta Specifier Reference.

2004

• The Linear Fluorescent product line is added.
• The Aviator product line is added.

2003

• Ruud Lighting adds five new products – Aisle Light, Crown-Weld, 14-inch Micro Flood, Labor-Saver and EZ Wall Pack added. The 14-inch Micro Flood receives the Show Stopper award at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) tradeshow.
• Ruud Lighting launches its second company, e-conolight, offering a value-based product line.

2002

• E-commerce is added to the Ruud Lighting website enabling online purchases to be made.
• After spending five years as Vice President of Continuous Improvement and Human Resources, Christopher Ruud is promoted to Executive Vice President.

2001

• Ruud Lighting adds EZ Bay and Square Dome luminaires to the line-up.
• Alan Ruud buys Ruud Lighting back from failing ADLT, returning the company to its privately-held roots. CEO Alan Ruud delivers the news in a surprise announcement to exuberant employees on September 21.
• The ADLT purchase is completed.  As part of the purchase agreement, Ruud Lighting retains the Kramer Lighting brand and product line.
• The ADLT manufacturing facility in Middletown, Rhode Island is closed and the majority of operations are moved to the Ruud Lighting corporate facility. Custom fabrication and engineering continue at a smaller location in Rhode Island.

1999

• Ruud Lighting achieves ISO 9001 certification.
• Beta Lighting introduces the Constellation product line.

1998

• The ADLT acquisition is official. Alan Ruud remains CEO of Ruud Lighting, now a subsidiary of ADLT, and joins the ADLT Board of Directors taking on the titles of President and COO of Solon, Ohio-based ADLT.
• Ruud Lighting launches a new corporate website.
• The company adds a Uni-form Pulse Start metal halide feature to most products.

1997

• Pulse Start Metal Halide is introduced on some products.
• Ruud Lighting, a privately-held company, is acquired by publicly-held Advanced Lighting Technologies Inc. (ADLT)
• Directional Floodlight and Sealed Well Light luminaires are introduced.

1996

• A west coast distribution center is opened.
• The Human Resources department relocates to the recently constructed Employee Center.
• Delta Finishing receives recommendation for ISO 9002 certification.
• Rectangular Flood and Area (L Series) luminaires are added to the product line and a Quik Ship program launches.

1995

• A press conference in Tokyo, Japan highlights two new international joint ventures with Japan and Australia.
• Ruud Lighting adds exit signs to the product line.
• The first international sales conference hosts Ruud Lighting international agents.
• The company publishes three international product catalogs.
• The first Ruud Lighting website launches bringing the company into a broader, global arena.
• Construction begins on a new 170,000 square foot addition including an employee center and state-of-the-art media center.
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) products are added.
• Round and Prismatic Area Lights are introduced at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) tradeshow.
• ISO 9000 certification is achieved for Delta Finishing and the process is started for Ruud Lighting.

1994

• The first annual supplier conference is hosted at Ruud Lighting.
• Ruud Lighting hires more than 200 employees bringing end-of-year employment up to 450 as sales steadily climb.
• A new 70,000 square foot parts warehouse and receiving area is constructed and the factory is completely reorganized for efficiencies improvements.
• A second shift is added to the Delta Finishing operation.
• A Continuous Improvement department is added and computerized bar code locator system is implemented in the factory improving inventory speed and accuracy.
• The flood light series is redesigned and retooled as full production begins on many new products including; SE, SS, 2 Level, four-inch recessed, and vertical lamp flood series. The growth in products spurs the need for the first combined catalog – published with 178 pages.

1993

• Delta Finishing begins operation, applying Ruud Lighting’s exclusive DeltaGuard®, the industry’s highest-grade finish.
• ISO 9000 training begins in Delta Finishing, to be completed in 1995.
• Ruud University is kicked-off as a training and support arm of the company.
• Beta Lighting launches a new landscape product called Luma Landscape.

1992

• Ruud Lighting launches a sister company, Beta Lighting, to provide high quality, specification-grade luminaries for interior and exterior lighting applications.
• Operations offices expand to increase space for purchasing, production control, engineering and traffic departments.
• A 65,000 square foot Delta finishing facility is completed increasing the corporate facility to 195,000 square feet. Ruud Lighting employees celebrate selling direct for ten years.

1991

• The Ruud Lighting business expands to North America with the opening of Ruud Canada at 6889 Rexwood Rd. in Mississauga, Ontario.
• The company introduces a round bollard and CE series of luminaires.

1990

• Mini and micro luminaires are introduced to the Ruud Lighting product family.

1989

• Office space is expanded for customer service and marketing departments.

1988

• The new corporate facility is expanded adding 60,000 square feet to the warehouse.
• Prismatic high bay fixtures are added to the product line-up.
• Track and recessed lighting become part of the Ruud Lighting offering.

1987

• A national accounts department is added to build business among national franchises including quick serve restaurants and large corporations.
• The first issue of the Spotlight newsletter is distributed to Ruud Lighting customers.
• The move to the new corporate facility is completed with all office, warehouse and factory personnel relocated.
• Ruud Lighting adds its first international agent, Puerto Rico-based High Technology, spurring the rapid addition of global agents and worldwide business growth.
• Recessed canopy fixtures and 22-inch 1,000-watt floodlights are introduced.

1986

• Al Ruud breaks ground for a new 70,000 square foot building. Operations are moved to the company’s current location in Racine, 9201 Washington Avenue.

1985

• The company introduces 16-inch flood lights available through 400 watts.

1984

• The Ruud Lighting facility is expanded with a 12,000 square foot addition.

1983

• Ruud Lighting introduces 10-foot and 15-foot aluminum poles, and 10-, 15-, and 20-foot steel poles for its lighting fixtures.

1982

• Founder Alan Ruud, an engineer and lighting designer, and partner Don Wandler, build prototype products in the garage of Ruud’s home in Racine, Wisconsin. A new business model of selling directly to electrical contractors is conceptualized.
• The first Ruud Lighting facility opens in Racine, Wisconsin, occupying 13,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.
• The first Ruud Lighting products are displayed at the company’s first tradeshow, NECA.
• The company’s first advertisement appears in Electrical Contractor magazine.
• Manufacturing begins and the first products come off the assembly line.