NEMA’s incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) indices for First Quarter, 2009 declined 2.4 and 4.6 percent, respectively, compared to the previous quarter. The incandescent lamp shipments index showed a decline of 16.9 percent on a year-over-year basis, nearly reaching the all-time low set during the third quarter of 2008. Since the beginning of 2007, the incandescent index has declined in 6 of the 9 previous quarters. CFL shipments declined 14.8 percent on a year-over-year basis following a gain of 11.0 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008.

Market penetration of CFLs versus incandescent lamps increased to 23.3 percent from the fourth quarter 2008 level of 22.5 percent. Although its share has drifted lower from the record high of 25.3 percent set back in the third quarter of last year, the ratio of CFLs sold continues to hover around one in every four household lamps.

NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.