LED LEADS ON
From your television to your phone and holiday twinkle lights , LED light sources are taking over . What makes LED more preferable than its traditional incandescent and fluorescent counterparts ? For one , it ’ s the most efficient lighting technology on the market . Their lifespan is also 25 times longer than that of conventional bulbs . In a time with ‘ reduce , reuse , recycle ’ as a common theme , companies and institutions jump at the opportunity to light homes and buildings , enhance digital screens , and highlight shows and performances with these energysaving and waste-eliminating bulbs .
THE YEAR WAS 1969 . Musical acts from all over the country were slated to perform . Artists ranged from Santana to Joe Cocker to Crosby , Stills , Nash & Young to The Family Stone . The hype , the electricity of the crowd , and the incredible performances are all remembered well by those who attended or watched the 1970 documentary of the famous Woodstock Music Festival . What most don ’ t realize , though , is that hidden high up on the rafters there were customized light fixtures shining down on each performer , shedding the perfect amount of light on this historic event .
This is just part of the storied history of Altman Lighting , a family-owned , New York-based light manufacturer and innovator whose résumé spans the globe . From highlighting performances at the Sydney Opera House to illuminating Shanghai Disney to providing The Rolling Stones ’ stage lighting , Altman Lighting has had a hand in lighting many great experiences . And to Bob Altman , CEO and son of Altman Lighting founders Charles and Alice Altman , it feels as if the company is just getting started .
“ It ’ s a 63-year-old company that feels brand new ,” Altman says . “ We compete with the best of the best .”
Creating Custom Solutions From a modest beginning on Broome Street in Yonkers , where Altman ’ s father would work in the basement to create widgets and little fixtures to spark the company forward , Altman Lighting has grown to international renown . It ’ s also one of only two remaining U . S . lighting firms that still manufactures all of its products on American soil . Despite offers to sell the business to larger corporations , Altman Lighting has maintained its family-oriented , family-run business practices .
Their success and charm stems from their lifetime commitment to customizing lighting solutions to meet the needs of each client and opportunity .
“ We are one of the last small , custom , flexible lighting manufacturers ,” says Julie Smith , general manager at Altman Lighting . “ It ’ s about a constant commitment to change in order to meet customers ’ needs . We ’ re a manufacturer who provides products and solutions .” From the beginning , custom work was the goal . By proving to clients that Altman Lighting could deliver above and beyond what was asked and help clients make their dreams a reality , they established a rapport with lighting designers and consultants .
“ We developed good relationships and loyalty because we cared when others didn ’ t ,” Altman says .
Part of Altman Lighting ’ s product strategy outlines that once a custom job is complete , the company adds the new technique to their repertoire . This enhances Altman ’ s offerings , highlights their capabilities , and proves to new prospects their range of proficiency .
Adapting is the Only Way Forward In the 1960s , Altman Lighting was producing custom dimmer racks for NASA ’ s Gemini Program . These racks — which ran power to the instruments being controlled in the shuttle cockpit — were the size of a Smart car and very heavy . Altman Lighting was manufacturing the items on the 2nd floor of their offices .
When the military came with an envoy of flatbed trucks to load the racks , it was quickly discovered that they were one inch too large to fit into the building ’ s service elevators . Over the weekend , Altman Lighting brought in a contractor to break a hole in the side of the office building . They had to bring in a crane to remove the racks from the property and load them onto the trucks .
“ We got them out . It worked and everyone was happy . From then on , we measured stuff first ,” Altman laughs , explaining the hole in the wall was a small issue to deal with in comparison to conducting work with NASA .
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