Acuity Brands, Inc. and Samsung LED Co. Ltd announced they have agreed to collaborate in the development of leading products utilizing light-emitting diode (LED) technology that will establish a new standard for performance in solid-state lighting systems.

Acuity Brands, a recognized leader in innovative, technologically-advanced lighting products and solutions, and Samsung LED, a global leader in LED technology, will collaborate in the development of new, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions to significantly accelerate the adoption of LED technologies in the marketplace. This collaboration will complement both companies’ strategies and capabilities in the development of their mutual LED product portfolios.

“The opportunity for highly energy-efficient lighting solutions utilizing LEDs and lighting controls continues to expand due to demand for sustainable solutions, the growing need to reduce energy and maintenance costs, and regulatory drivers requiring the use of more efficient lighting and controls solutions,” said Vernon J. Nagel, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our collaboration with Samsung LED underscores our commitment to sustainable lighting solutions that deliver the benefits of solid-state technology with a focus on lighting quality for a superior visual environment.”

“Samsung LED is excited to collaborate with Acuity Brands to lead the transformation from analog to digital lighting. With this transformation, the convergence of new products and solutions through LED innovation becomes possible,” said Jea Wook Kim, President and CEO of Samsung LED. “LED technology will bring ever increasing value not only through lighting but additional features and benefits only made possible by intelligent digital devices.”

About Acuity Brands:

Acuity Brands, Inc., the parent company of Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. and other subsidiaries, is one of the world's leading providers of lighting fixtures and related products and services with fiscal year 2009 net sales of over $1.6 billion. The Company’s brands include Lithonia Lighting®, Holophane®, Peerless®, Mark Architectural Lighting™, Hydrel®, American Electric Lighting®, Gotham®, Carandini®, RELOC®, MetalOptics®, Antique Street Lamps™, Tersen™, Synergy® Lighting Controls, Sensor Switch® , Lighting Control & Design™, and ROAM®. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Acuity Brands employs approximately 6,000 associates and has operations throughout North America and in Europe and Asia.

About Samsung LED:

Samsung LED Co. Ltd., established in April 2009 to foster LED as a new growth engine for the next generation, is leading the global LED industry with cutting edge products based on the synergy of more than ten years of LED technology development and world class semiconductor technology and manufacturing.

Samsung LED is the leader in the Display BLU (LED backlight unit) market and plans to further expand research and development in Lighting and Automotive applications. Samsung LED’s main operation is based in Suwon, Korea and has core manufacturing bases in Korea and in China. Global Sales offices are located in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and South East Asia.