The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the National Lighting Bureau (NLB) have reported that the NEMA Lighting Systems Index (LSI) increased 1.9% from the second to the third quarters of 2014—a considerable rise compared to the 0.1% from the first to second quarter’s index. The index also reported a 4.1% gain on a year-over-year basis. Emergency lighting, fixtures, and miniature lamps were the most improved throughout the quarter, while ballasts, and large lamp shipments were in the red.
Incandescent A-line lamps experienced a rapid 61.2% decline in the second quarter and continued to fall in the third quarter. NEMA’s shipment index for incandescents took a plunge as a result of the lamp legislation outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which took full effect in the first half of the year. Replacement lamp types, such as LED A-line and halogen A-line lamps, posted second and third quarter increases. The index for compact fluorescent lamps declined 2.7% in the second quarter, but recovered in the third quarter.
NEMA’s shipment index for T12 lamps decreased from the first to second quarters, but rose 8.6% from the second quarter to the third. Shipments of T5 and T8 lamps climbed slightly higher in the second quarter, but decreased by 6.6% and 11.1%, respectively, in the third. All three of these indexes are in the red on a year-over-year basis for 2014 through the third quarter.
*In the three-month span in 2013 where data is missing, NEMA did not issue indices.
The Electroindustry Business Conditions Index, a broad category that focuses on electrical industry manufacturers, saw fluctuations throughout 2014, ending the year on the decline. After improvements in October and November, the December index fell. The metrics show, however, that forecast conditions for the six months are anticipated to rise, as indicated by a panel of senior managers at NEMA member companies.
Charts: Maggie Goldstone; Source: NEMA
