Since 1924, Sylvania has been lighting the way and today celebrates its 100th anniversary

Today, the group is present in more than 50 countries around the world and has more than 1200 employees, including 250 in France at its headquarters in Gennevilliers (92), its logistics platform in Plessis-Belleville (60) and its production site in Saint-Etienne (42).

A century of innovation

Before the creation of the Sylvania brand in 1924, lamps were booming in a large number of industries such as radios, lighting and subsequently cathode ray tubes which were used in particular on television screens. Specializing in the repair of these lamps, the company is both at the heart of innovative technology and already committed to the circular economy.

Thanks to various acquisitions and the internationalization of its activities, the company grew over the years through its Sylvania brand which, in 1938, was the first in the world to manufacture fluorescent lamps. Since then, it has never stopped innovating and was at the origin:

• the first horticultural lamps in 1959,
• dichroic lamps in 1961,
• of the invention of red phosphorus which made color television possible in 1964,
• flash cubes for cameras in 1965,
• GU10 spots and their universal bases in 1996,
• filament LED lamps and tubes in 2014 and 2021 respectively.

In 1986, the Concord brand, whose expertise in lighting is recognized on the European continent, joined the Sylvania adventure.

More recently, to support market developments, Sylvania has become interested in the notions of well-being and reduction of energy consumption with:

• the launch in 2021 of LumiNature (HCL). A true technological feat, this human-centered lighting solution succeeds, with artificial light, in reproducing the health benefits of natural light and once again illustrates the company's capacity for innovation,
• the acceleration, within Sylvania Group, of digitalization and services (360 Services) to offer intelligent management and digital platforms (SylSmart) in order to manage and thus reduce energy consumption.

In February 2024, Sylvania Group obtained Ecovadis Silver certification (Top 15% of companies in the lighting industry). This reflects the brand's true commitment and ongoing efforts towards sustainable development and responsible business practices.

An anniversary year full of festivities

Through its ranges of lighting and lamps, Sylvania now shines among professionals and the general public in numerous sectors of activity (industry and logistics, offices and education, museums, businesses, residential and hospitality), but also in some more specific ones such as horticulture.

Technological, this adventure was also human above all. This is one of the characteristics of this brand and of the company in which many employees have spent a large part of their career. This loyalty has given it great agility in the face of market challenges and has made it possible to develop in each employee the feeling of belonging to a large family. “ Our objective: to maintain this flexibility that the brand has always had throughout this century to remain a trusted partner for its customers », underlines Simon Reed, Global Vice-President and CEO EMEA of Sylvania Group.

Beyond celebrating this event within the company, as well as with its customers, through the various events and actions that will punctuate the year 2024, this anniversary also constitutes an opportunity to promote its brand capital on the market by giving value to its expertise.

On this occasion, a logo, visuals and a slogan “Sylvania has been lighting the way for 100 years [and for a long time to come]” were also created to convey the brand's institutional messages. Enough to offer great prospects in terms of innovations and projects for the years to come!