Zumtobel Group

The biological and emotional effects of light are frequently underestimated. For example, there is hardly any reliable data on the positive effects of human-centric lighting (HCL) in an industrial environment. There is also a lack of information on the positive effects of light on the sleep and cognitive performance of industrial shift workers. When Volvo Group Trucks intended to refurbish the outdated T8 lighting system at their production facility in Ghent, they joined forces with Zumtobel and several prestigious research institutes including KU Leuven in Ghent and the Howest University of Applied Sciences in Bruges to research the effects of human-centric lighting on people working on industrial assembly lines.

Comparison of three different lighting scenarios

The aim of the field study was to compare the effects of three different lighting scenarios on the well-being of shift workers. To do this, Zumtobel equipped a 150-metre-long production line with its TECTON continuous-row lighting system. The first 50 metres were equipped with TECTON C standard LED luminaires, which were mounted on two light lines directly above the production line. The second 50-metre section was equipped with the same lighting, along with additional tunableWhite luminaires and the LITECOM lighting management system, which made it possible to program the lighting system and to vary the light colours and brightness levels. Changing colour temperatures were used to simulate the natural cycle of daylight, which had a sustained, positive effect on employee well-being.

The third section of the production line was illuminated with human-centric lighting. To achieve a vertical illuminance of more than 1,000 lux and thus create the effect of melanopic light, Zumtobel installed an additional third light line. This consisted of a special version of TECTON basic with reflectors and produced the HCL effect through its high vertical illuminance, while thanks to their clever placement in the corridor, the HCL luminaires reflected the light back into the production facility. Zumtobel installed a total of around 600 metres of TECTON light line, with RESCLITE luminaires used for the emergency and safety lighting in all three lighting scenarios.

Field study confirms lighting’s central role

The field study itself was conducted in three groups (one for each lighting scenario), each with around 50 participants. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to accurately measure the differences between the three groups. The study focused on factors such as visual comfort, cognitive function, sleep efficiency, circadian rhythms and physical activity. The results of the field study confirmed previous hypotheses about the relationship between lighting and the cognitive function of industrial shift workers. For example, employees working in HCL were more alert and more focused than the control group. In addition, the former group also demonstrated measurably better sleep efficiency and sleep latency.

Based on the conclusive results of the study and a comprehensive assessment of all three lighting scenarios (standard LED, tunableWhite and HCL), Volvo Group Trucks decided to completely retrofit their Ghent production facility using LED luminaires with tunableWhite. In addition to the positive effects on employee health, other factors such as cost and energy efficiency also played a role in the decision to invest. As part of the rollout, the company has so far equipped more than 100,000 square metres of its facility in Ghent with Zumtobel tunableWhite luminaires including warehouses, offices and shelving, with the retrofitting of further areas also planned.^

The results of the study impressed not only Volvo Group Trucks. The analysis of the collected data and the resulting modernisation of the lighting at the Ghent plant also impressed the DALI Alliance: the project received the popular DALI Award in the 'Industrial' category at the DALI Lighting Awards 2023. The jury praised the use of DALI technologies to improve the well-being of employees, which was achieved through the implementation of TunableWhite in all production areas.

Thanks to its use of changing light colours, tunableWhite technology provides optimal support for employees

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— Romanito Van Brabant, Project manager Zumtobel

Employees benefit from support for their circadian rhythms

“Thanks to its use of changing light colours, tunableWhite technology provides optimal support for employees’ circadian rhythms. Employees are alert and active at the right time and able to get the rest they need at the end of their shift. Even if they come home in the daylight, they can still enjoy healthy and restful sleep,” explains Zumtobel project manager, Romanito Van Brabant.

Rudy Van Leeuwen, electrical installations project manager at Volvo Group Trucks Operations in Ghent, adds: “Our company philosophy is focused on people. The aim of the joint project was therefore to create the best light for every activity at every workplace. And our expectations were met: the environment for our shift personnel is significantly better and more pleasant than it was with the original lighting. This has a positive effect on the well-being and motivation of our employees and is why Zumtobel tunableWhite is now our go-to technology, which we are also using in our newly opened battery assembly plant for heavy-duty electric trucks in Ghent. In addition, we frequently receive enquiries about our lighting from the Volvo Truck sites in Singapore, Sweden, South Korea and Brazil, and even from our colleagues at Volvo Cars.”

Dornbirn, Austria – The Zumtobel Group will be represented at Light + Building in Frankfurt in the coming year. The world’s leading trade fair for light and building technology will open its doors again from 3 to 8 March 2024. The three brands of the Zumtobel Group, Thorn, Tridonic and Zumtobel, will then also present themselves to interested visitors from around the world – at a new venue and with a new sustainable and innovative concept.

The Zumtobel Group will exhibit at the Forum for the first time. The striking elliptical building with glass fronts is the top spot on the Frankfurt trade fair premises. The 750 square meter booth itself will be based on the re-use principle. This involves, for example, the temporary utilisation of elements from the Zumtobel Group Light Forum, the showroom at the headquarters, which opened in March 2020. New materials used in stand build will be later on reused at other premises, too.

"We see our presence at Light + Building 2024 as a possible new beginning of our trade fair activities: away from thinking in ever larger dimensions towards more innovation and sustainability in the lighting industry."

— Alfred Felder, CEO of the Zumtobel Group

During a time that was marked by the corona pandemic, the Zumtobel Group had chosen not to participate in the leading trade fair. In 2020 and 2022, the company therefore paused its trade fair activities.

“We believe that the trade fair event format is experiencing a revival after years when meetings were predominantly held online. People are increasingly seeking personal contact, new encounters, an on-site experience and products at their fingertips,” CEO Alfred Felder added.

Zumtobel's SCENO luminaire, presented in April 2022, has convinced the jury: 132 design experts from over 20 countries have chosen their favourites in the course of the iF Design Awards 2023. The discreet design of SCENO won the award in the Retail Luminaire/Spotlight and Track category.

Every year, a jury of design experts presents the coveted iF Design Award. The award places emphasis on both exceptional design and innovative strength. One of this year's award-winning products is the SCENO luminaire by Zumtobel, which received an award in the Retail Luminaire/Spotlight and Track category for its design and wide range of applications.

Discreet design and brilliant light
The discreet design of the luminaire leaves the stage to the goods and draws the customer's attention to the products. It also impresses with a timeless exterior and straight lines. SCENO creates uniform and brilliant light at the same time. This is ensured by the specially developed lens technology. Instead of a large light source, Zumtobel relies on a row of miniaturised lighting chambers. Whether seven LEDs or 14, whether fitted on one or two sides: the combination of lenses and glare control honeycombs guarantees high lighting quality and effective glare control with a high level of visual comfort. Retailers can create a stimulating atmosphere with SCENO, turning purely functional shopping into an emotional experience.

It is a pleasure and an honour for us to receive the prestigious iF Design Award. For the retail application, SCENO is the logical evolution of the best features of a spotlight and a linear luminaire. It skilfully masters the high demands in terms of flexibility, brilliance and sustainability in the sense of adapting to constantly changing room concepts in retail. With just one luminaire, it is possible to put various target areas with different requirements, positions and orientations in the room in the right light. The lighting blends seamlessly into the architecture and directs the focus to the presentation of goods. SCENO makes shopping an experience!

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— Jörg Linden, Application Manager Retail at Zumtobel

Design freedom thanks to four variants and countless application options
In addition to the fixed central section, SCENO has independent wings in which the honeycombs are integrated and which can be adjusted separately and aligned in the store. Depending on requirements, SCENO is available in four different versions: in single or double-leaf design, with seven or 14 honeycombs per side. Depending on the version, the light output varies with 2,000, 3,500, 7,000, 8,000 or 14,000 lumens.

Individually customisable
In the three available housing colours of black, white and silver, SCENO blends discreetly into the sales space. Specially developed for supermarkets and retail areas, it takes human perspectives into account. Because the different optics bring light exactly where it is needed: on the shelves and other presentation areas. The luminaire is available in four different light colours (2,700 Kelvin, 3,000 Kelvin, 3,500 Kelvin, 4,000 Kelvin) to emphasise the colours and details of different goods. Especially for the fresh food counter, there is also a MEAT module that authentically brings out red tones of food, does not falsify colours and gives an impression of special freshness.

SCENO also for the office
But SCENO does not only cut a fine figure in retail. This year, SCENO's scope of application was extended to include office spaces, after all, many companies want to bring their employees back to the office. Concepts such as New Work, which rely on open floor plans and variable room layouts, help here. Whether creative in the collaboration zone or concentrated at an individual workstation: SCENO offers a flexible lighting solution that meets changing visual tasks and usage requirements in the office.

If the office design changes, so does the light. SCENO has individually rotatable and swivellable light modules for maximum flexibility. Even more design freedom is provided by combining it with track systems: For workstations, the use of SCENO on a 3-phase track is optimal. In collaboration zones, mounting on SUPERSYSTEM tracks is suitable.

SCENO uniquely combines the key themes of flexibility, modularity and brilliant accent lighting in a flat and unobtrusive luminaire design. Two independently adjustable wings as well as rotatable 3-phase track adapters or TECTON adapters enable maximum variability. The two wings can also be individually fitted with different LEDs and optics. Thanks to the specially developed optical construction of lens and reflector, the luminaire generates maximum brilliance on the product while maintaining optimised glare control - also for office lighting.

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— Sven Scharfe, Product Manager Spotlights at Zumtobel