Toshiba seeks European allies to be the third largest LED supplier

Recently, Toshiba JP-6502 said it plans to sign at least three allies in Europe in the next 12 months to manufacture lighting fixtures and seek to become the third largest LED supplier in Europe.

Toshiba's European lighting business executive, Francois Seguineau, said in a telephone interview that lighting fixtures have become the key to expansion as customers' demand for a comprehensive system of LEDs at home has risen.

Due to their small size and high energy efficiency, LEDs have gradually replaced traditional light bulbs. LEDs also have a long life. Toshiba's expansion plans threaten the leading position of European leaders such as Royal Philips Electronics NV NL-PHIA and Osram Licht AG in the global market. The global LED market will reach $42 billion by 2019. Toshiba sold LEDs only in Japan before 2009.

Seguino estimates that Toshiba's current unit sales ranks among the top 20 in the European LED market. Saigono said: "We continue to grow not by LED lights, but by lighting. In 2013, 20% of our revenue came from the lighting industry. In 2014, our goal was 40%."