Posted on: 24 - 7 - 2024
The Revalo Story
Over two decades ago, Ralph and Nelson embarked on a transformative journey in NZ manufacturing. They created what was then the High Bay equivalent of a “better mousetrap.” Their groundbreaking T5 creation, the “High Five,” revolutionized the commercial lighting market. Designed and built in New Zealand, it featured local manufacturing, utilising raw aluminium and stainless steel components. The High Five was meticulously crafted with clips and screws and incorporated high-quality European control gear. This innovation not only halved power consumption of the incumbent metal halide high bays but also significantly improved the quality of light in the space.
Nelson Duder pictured in Stuff with product High Five. Awarded Deloitte Fast50 for High Bay lighting.
It is common to this day to walk through big box retail and warehousing and see High Fives continue to effectively light the space, even with the advent of LED solutions.
Around 13 years ago, Ralph and Nelson hired Paul Spence, Development Engineer, to create the "better mousetrap". The aim was to create a high-quality, sustainable troffer for office fit-outs. Thus, the Revalo was born. Like the High Five, the Revalo was designed with longevity and sustainability in mind: screwed and clipped together, equipped with a remote, high-quality European driver for easy replacement, boasting a design life of over 10 years, and upgradeable or recyclable at the end of its life.
11 years ago, the team introduced Energyline extrusion, embodying the same principles: recyclable, locally made, IP rated (keeping bugs out), glued-free, easy to install, and designed to last 15 years.
The 10-Year-Old Revalo
10 years ago, a Christchurch Engineering firm specified a project utilising approximately 800 Revalos. Fast forward to last year, and that same engineer, with the same company, grew to a size necessitating they move into the very building they designed the Revalo into. Impressed by their enduring quality, the engineer did what engineers do…they pulled out their light meter & checked the current levels, comparing it with their initial design criteria. It was found that the luminaires were still operating to their original specification parameters.
Revalo, fitted into office location
The engineer kindly allowed us to take one of those Revalos back to Energylight for testing. The team at Energyline assessed its performance to determine the extent of depreciation. The conclusion? The Revalo appeared to be operating as well as it did when first installed. Lumen depreciation was zero and CRI exhibited zero drift.
Conclusion
In an era rife with greenwashing and buzzwords like "circularity" and "carbon offsetting", it's crucial to remember that Ralph and Nelson started a movement 20 years ago that embodied these principles not because it was trendy, but because it was the right thing to do. Instead of talking about how change could be made, they took action.
For twenty years we have designed highly efficacious, visually comfortable luminaires with a long design life. We source local materials and craft them right here in New Zealand. During their life, the luminaires can be re-geared and updated with replacement boards to give them a second life. Should they no longer need to be used, they are designed to be easily broken down and recycled.
When our clients specify and deliver these NZ made luminaires into their projects, they play a critical role in a movement that stands for positive environmental change, whether they realise it or not.
Mark Jansen - Creative Director & Storyteller
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