Innovation
Innovation with purpose is in our DNA.
Since our foundation, we have seen lighting as a force for good.
We continually seek to harness its power and develop technology
that has a positive impact on people, communities and
the environment.
A legacy of pioneering change
Innovation has guided us for more than a century. Our experts are always asking the same essential question: “How can we make this better?”
This spirit has led to many firsts - from the use of a two-angle reflectometer in 1953 to optimise light distribution, to the Sealsafe® system in 1985 that significantly extended luminaire lifespan, through to SHUFFLE, the first multi-functional pole on the market in 2015, and the launch of the first truly open and interoperable lighting platform in 2019, transforming lighting from a public service into a digital asset.
8
R&D centres
155
experts in R&D
5%
turnover invested in R&D
1,053
patents
A global network of innovators
Our eight research and development centres form a powerful ecosystem where ideas become solutions.
Each centre combines cutting-edge technology, global expertise and local insights to help our
customers overcome challenges with confidence.
Our teams are constantly exploring industrial design, product design and manufacturing processes
to make our products as aesthetic, efficient, robust and sustainable as possible for all our market segments.
They focus on strategic pillars to drive innovation in:
Photometry
by continuously analysing and improving our optics, light distributions and platforms for safer and more comfortable environments with zero light spill to preserve our dark skies and nature
Materials
by looking at recyclability and exploring alternative raw materials, such as biopolymers which we have already introduced to minimise waste and resource consumption
Circadian lighting
by researching the impact of lighting on people and nature, we design solutions likle FlexiWhite and coloured lenses to enable people and nature to harmoniously thrive in urban centres
Circular design
by constantly analysing our product design through our Circle Light Label and creating new retrofit solutions and remanufacturing processes to preserve existing fixtures
Solar technology
by reviewing technological advancements in solar panels, batteries and energy management to provide self-sufficient solar lighting for urban and rural environments to reduce carbon emissions
Efficiency
by driving high-performance electronics, advanced thermal management, and digital integration to deliver long-term reliability and maximum energy savings
Architecting tomorrow’s smart infrastructure
Schréder Hyperion, our R&D centre in Portugal was founded in 2019, to think, explore and fuel the potential of smart city and beyond lighting solutions. Bringing together data scientists, IoT software developers, electronic engineers, smart city architecture leads and digital transformation consultants, it supports cities in transitioning from conventional to connected lighting, while laying the foundations for the next generation of urban systems with the quality and reliability they need.
Throughout the 118-year-old history of this family-owned company, innovation has shaped its growth and achievements. Today, we are reimagining and repurposing lighting infrastructure to make a more sustainable and profoundly transformative impact.
Peter Bos
Chief Innovation Officer
Advancing the future, together
We believe collaboration accelerates progress. This is why we work hand in hand with customers, academic and research institutions, industry partners and standards bodies to shape meaningful innovations - those that benefit both people and the planet.
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