Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the global leader in lighting, and General Lighting Company (GLC), a major lighting company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today celebrate the official start of their joint venture (JV) Philips Lighting Saudi Arabia. The JV will provide a full range of lighting solutions and strengthen Philips' footprint in the region, while creating growth opportunities in sustainable technologies to support the government's objective to increase energy efficiency.

A recent study by the Saudi Centre for Energy Efficiency confirmed that Saudi Arabia's energy consumption is amongst the highest in the world, with an average per capita consumption of electricity that is twice the global average. Lighting is responsible for 19% of worldwide electricity use, presenting a significant opportunity for energy savings in the home, in offices, buildings and roads in the Kingdom.

"The world needs relevant innovations to respond to today's global changes and secure a bright future. We are very pleased to partner with Philips on this initiative. We share many of the same values, including reducing our impact on the environment and using innovation to drive our sustainability initiatives. LED is a major breakthrough in the lighting industry that will drive transformation in that field. It will bring massive energy and cost savings to our planet and customers," said Engineer Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Hobayb, Chairman of GLC group.

Philips has pioneered many of the key breakthroughs in lighting over its 121-year history, and will support KSA in its transformation into an energy efficient nation. Philips has illuminated a number of landmarks in the country with its energy efficient LED lighting systems such as the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh and the recently inaugurated Jeddah Flag Pole, the tallest in the world with 13 special lights, representing the 13 governorates of Saudi Arabia.

"By joining forces with GLC, we will combine Philips' technology and expertise in LED with their deep local market knowledge and strong commercial capabilities, and together we will make a step change in energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia," said Eric Rondolat, CEO Philips Lighting. "Together we are shaping the future with new connected LED-based lighting technologies that go beyond illumination into a fully digital world to improve people's lives with brighter, safer cities, more productive office environments and personalized experiences at home."

Philips SLC brings local innovation to the Saudi market

As part of the JV, the commercial organization of Philips Lighting in the Kingdom will be merged with Saudi Lighting Company (SLC) - one of the leading commercial organizations of GLC - and rebranded to Philips SLC. Philips SLC will be leading the LED revolution and the first to bring the latest lighting innovations to the Saudi market.

Philips Lighting Saudi Arabia will employ approximately 1,300 people in the Kingdom in research & development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and operations. The joint venture in lighting is the company's second in KSA following the JV announced by Philips with Al Faisaliah Medical Systems in 2013 to improve access to the latest healthcare innovations.