Teams Up with Local Manufacturer to Provide Bespoke Lighting Fit-Out
Zumtobel Group is a global player in the lighting industry and a leading supplier of innovative lighting solutions and lighting components.
Thorn Lighting is well-known in New Zealand with over 86 years of activity in the local market. In 2000, Thorn became part of the Austrian company, Zumtobel Group and joined forces with Zumtobel Lighting to represent two of the strongest lighting brands in the world; THORN and ZUMTOBEL.
Multi-Brand Offering
The Group offering of three lighting brands: THORNeco, THORN and Zumtobel enables them to provide a Good, Better, Best solution to their clients, with a vast range of quality lighting products manufactured to meet different budgets and design specifications. A strong five year Warranty stands behind their products.
New Retail Lighting Trend Presents Challenges
Three years ago, Woolworths New Zealand supermarkets followed the trend of their Australian-owned supermarkets and changed their retail look completely.
In order to continue the strong association, Thorn needed to offer the client products that met their new brief. To enable Thorn to understand precisely the client’s expectations, they travelled to Sydney to view the first concept store.
After visiting the Sydney concept store, Thorn were confident that the products available in their standard range would meet the design requirements for the back-of-house area and some of the front retail area.
Global R & D Provides Innovative Solutions
However, Thorn had nothing in their brand portfolio that matched Woolworth’s brief for a grid lighting system. This presented a challenge for the Thorn team both locally and internationally. With excellent support and feedback from the local Architects (Woodhams Meikle Zhan) and Electrical Engineers (ECS), Thorn were able to call on their global Research and Development team and the Zumtobel factory based in Dornbirn, Austria, to assist with design and production of a custom-made LED track rectangle luminaire (EVIO) for the aisle lighting. This was repeatedly tested and refined to ensure that it met the desired light levels and design concept.
Local Teamwork Gets The Project Over The Line
At the same time, Thorn worked closely with Ullrich Aluminium Company New Zealand, to design and manufacture the 150mm x 50mm grid system with integral track mounted gear, for the Produce area. After nine months and many meetings with Ullrich’s Technical team, the desired result was achieved, engineering approvals were granted and dies made. Finally, the grids were manufactured in New Zealand and Thorn were able to meet the client’s requirements with excellent support from all involved.
Trunking Lighting Management Solution
Apart from the Produce area, Thorn also offered their Tecton system for all the other retail areas. Tecton is their global pre-wired continuous-row system that offers flexibility along the entire lengths of a row. Thanks to its Trunking with an integrated 11- terminal current-conducting section, it offers a basis for general lighting, safety lighting and lighting management that will never go out of style. Quick to assemble and customizable, all modules can be positioned on the Trunking wherever desired. One of the TECTON continuous-row lighting system’s most distinctive features is that all its components can be installed without the need for tools. Thanks to a unique, pre-assembled connector, the Trunking can be connected mechanically and electrically in no time. Luminaires and sensors simply click into place and can be repositioned easily. Thorn have used Tecton across the entire retail area for the Evio LED rectangle fittings and also for the ViVo II Spotlights around the Wine and Beer area and perimeter.
AMC Electrical carried out the installation. “The Tecton system is quick to install and relatively easy for any installers that do not have extensive experience with similar products. The modular assembly and flexibility for the lighting positions is great. The quick and effective communication between Thorn, Advance and AMC allowed for challenges and queries to be addressed and solved quickly. AMC look forward to working with Advance and Thorn on future projects”, says Andrew Collins, Contracts Manager, AMC.
Advance Electrical Wholesalers Lower Hutt, were the supply wholesaler. “Thorn/Zumtobel recognized that a project of this scale and importance needed preparation and detail to make it run smoothly.
On request, a detailed parts list for each aisle was produced and an assembly demonstration video provided. Along with regular site visits, this made the project run very smoothly. Countdown typically has more than two preferred suppliers for most of the lighting and with the help of Thorn staff, we were able to put together a package that reduced the amount of suppliers Advance needed to coordinate with, which made project communication easy”, said Billy Ellery, Senior Marketing Director, Advance Electrical Wholesalers. Thorn worked closely with these two partners to overcome some of the challenges that occurred during the installation.
All Thorn and Zumtobel products are backed-up by their 5 Year Warranty. Low maintenance products mean fewer hassles for the client and any unexpected faults are quickly resolved by their strong after-sales service. Thorn takes pride in being a preferred supplier to the retail industry in New Zealand and with 86 plus years’ experience, is definitely here to stay!
