Strand Lighting Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Strand Lighting, one of the oldest and best-known lighting brands, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, Lighting&Sound America has learned. The filing took place on Monday, July 11, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. Chapter 7 allows for liquidation of a debtor's nonexempt property and the distribution of proceeds to creditors.

According to the filing, the company's business has sharply declined in recent years. However, industry analysts note that the filing seems to be related not to outstanding business debts but to a series of personal injury lawsuits, dating back decades, involving the use of asbestos in the wiring of the company's products.

Strand, founded in 1914 by Arthur Earnshaw and Philip Sheridan, electricians working in London's West End, was once the dominant maker of theatrical lighting gear in the world. In recent decades, it has been part of Signify, along with such brands as Vari-Lite and Zero 88.

In a statement, a representative from Signify said:

"Signify's entertainment lighting business has included the industry's most iconic entertainment lighting brands, including Vari-Lite, Showline, Selecon, and Strand. In 2019, Signify phased out the Showline and Selecon brands, while Vari-Lite and Strand continued to operate in their own business-focused brands.

"In 2020, Signify decided to centralize its investments in entertainment lighting, moving forward in Vari-Lite LLC with the intention that, over time, Vari-Lite LLC would continue as the sole legal entity to conduct and coordinate business for all Signify entertainment lighting.

"In 2021, Zero 88, the well-known entertainment lighting controls and power management brand, joined the Signify entertainment business unit.

"As of August 2022, we will continue our simplification journey and focus on one entertainment brand -- Vari-Lite -- to reflect the way we operate our business. This means that all new entertainment products will only be branded as Vari-Lite. To avoid customer confusion, we will not rebrand existing legacy products.

"This move creates a significantly stronger, more competitive global brand and provides our customers with a clearer message and greatly improved and simplified experience. Vari-Lite is globally renown for quality, reliability, expertise, and innovation in entertainment lighting and has earned deep brand loyalty.

"Customers will not notice any change in their interactions with Signify's entertainment group, as the existing Vari-Lite, Strand, and Zero 88 brands are already supported by one operational team, cumulating the strong experience inherited from all the brands.

"These changes will begin to roll out in phases over the coming months."