Demand dropped by 2.3 percent during the second quarter, according to NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index, a composite measure of NEMA member companies’ U.S. shipments of a variety of lighting products, including lamps, luminaires, ballasts, emergency lighting, and exit signs.
As in the prior quarter, the topline index was bolstered by gains in domestic shipments of emergency lighting, fixtures and fluorescent ballasts. However, lower shipments for both large and miniature lamps pushed the index lower.
Although demand is weaker when compared to a strong first quarter, the overall level of domestic shipments remains healthy, as evidenced by the index’s 4.6 percent gain from a year ago and 13 percent growth over the past three years, NEMA says.
Growth in the commercial, industrial and outdoor lighting sectors is especially strong, according to the index. Investment in nonresidential structures jumped nearly 13 percent on an annualized basis during the second quarter of 2006, marking the third consecutive quarter construction activity increased at or near a double-digit pace.
