Osram, one of the leading and most widely known companies in lighting, and Hess, one of the foremost manufacturers of LED streetlights and architectural lighting agreed on May 11, 2012 to a strategic cooperation. Each company will contribute its key core competences to step up the pace of development in new LED module solutions for outdoor lighting and increase LED lighting's impact on international markets.

"Earlier exchange of information during product development ensures the seamless integration of new LED modules, electronic control gear and light management systems into luminaires. This is increasingly important to being competitive on the market for higher-wattage applications," says Christoph Hess, Hess AG's CEO, explaining the companies' mutual goal. The first step in the cooperation between the two companies will involve Hess' use of Osram's SSL LED module.

The new Osram modules will complement Hess' already successful LED module portfolio, for example, the Levo systems, which feature integral lenses. Extremely compact, Levo modules are exceptionally versatile due to their variability. They are suitable for nearly any luminaire, but are especially ideal for decorative and custom project luminaires that have the ambitious product shapes that are frequently desired by architects. Osram's new SSL LED module employs a high-precision triple zone reflector and is an all-in-one solution that easily integrates into streetlights whose housing has sufficient space. This superb optical system is highly efficient and minimises glare for road users in situations where glare typically occurs at near, middle and distant proximities to the lighting unit.

For Osram, the cooperation with Hess provides an opportunity to exchange information and discuss how LED modules integrate into lighting products early in the development stage. It also offers Osram the chance to use the experience Hess has acquired through international projects. Hess' international LED projects provide excellent insight into the requirements of international markets and constitute a basis for future development projects in the North American and Japanese markets.

"Hess, on the other side, will benefit as a strategic development partner from the leading edge technologies of Osram AG."To succeed on the market, a standardized LED module for street lighting must have excellent optics, perfect thermal management, a versatile driver and a carefully thought out replacement and maintenance concept," states Dr. Alfred Felder, Sales Director of Osram AG's Business Unit General Lighting. According to Felder, Osram's objective is the marketing of standard interoperative LED modules.

"The high degree of acceptance Osram enjoys as a lamp manufacturer reassures cities and towns that they will be able to obtain the same modules or comparable subsequent products for their lighting in the future," says Christoph Hess. Standardized LED light sources' greater versatility will calm the market and make a decisive contribution to the recognition of LEDs as valid light sources. Luminaire design and other functions will then command more attention. At the onset of the cooperation, Hess plans to integrate the new Osram module into three of its existing luminaire families and two new product series. The products will be ready for delivery very soon. "Particularly the newly developed luminaires permit us to fully exploit the interaction between the light sources and luminaire housing," emphasizes Christoph Hess.