Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast

Get A Grip On Lighting
  • 4.7 (13)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast

Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the subject, Get A Grip will go there. Get A Grip On Lighting Podcasts are hosted by Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich, who have over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting industry. Michael Colligan is an entrepreneur and inventor. He’s a subject matter expert in commercial and industrial lighting supply, lighting retrofits, and finding recycling streams for hard-to-recycle waste. Greg Ehrich, LC is the former President of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and owner of a progressive lighting distributorship.

  1. #372 - An Open Invitation To CEO's

    SEP 23

    #372 - An Open Invitation To CEO's

    CEOs of publicly traded lighting companies, you are invited to be a guest on Get A Grip On Lighting. Michael, Greg, and Spencer Miles discuss the pros and the cons for you. And we have concluded the pros outweigh the cons. If you’re up for it, email us at getagrippodcasts@gmail.com. Spencer Miles first appeared on Get a Grip On Lighting way back in 2017 on episode #4. He is the President of Pacific Lamp and Supply Company where he has worked for 23 years of Pacific Lamp’s over 100 years of business. Spencer served as NAILD’s President in 2019.

    11 min
  2. #371 - NAILD's Ambassador

    SEP 16

    #371 - NAILD's Ambassador

    Devin and Louvers International have a new UVC air sanitizer product called Cluvaire. But while we have Devin, we go into the “deep state” of the lighting industry, outdoor lighting, bulb bans, dark sky compliance… But yeah, he has a new UV product called Cluvaire. Check it out: https://louversintl.com/uvc-air-sanitizers/ Devin, along with his brother Derek, heads up Louvers International which was founded in 1986 with reliability and good design in mind. What started out as a small business has evolved into a team that works together to build connections between their customers and the lighting and plastics industries.

    20 min
  3. #370 - Stop Blanket Bans - Call NAILD

    SEP 9

    #370 - Stop Blanket Bans - Call NAILD

    Michael presents a document from the Canadian government outlining the coming ban on CFL bulbs. Brian Huff joins Michael and Greg to tackle this misguided and needlessly complicated plan. Hey Governments - want to get rid of Mercury containing bulbs? A NAILD committee will figure it out in 15 minutes. Brian Huff, President of Adventure Lighting in Des Moines, IA, has been in the lighting industry for 15ish years, and has owned Adventure Lighting for 7 years. He has 2 kids, and spends a lot of time going to kids sports, coaching kids sports, playing golf, and volunteering on a few local boards/non-profits.

    17 min
  4. #369 - The Lighting Industry Deep State

    SEP 2

    #369 - The Lighting Industry Deep State

    Jake Watters reached out to us after listening to episode #356 with Paolo Cordovado and how difficult it has become, as a building manager, to simply replace light bulbs. Even as Jake’s company attempts to mitigate the waste with their modular system, even he admits that the only path to sustainability is probably form factor standards. Michael gets hotter than usual on this one. Born and raised in the Lighting industry, Jake’s father was a branch and then general manager of a regional ED/showroom in the Detroit area. As a kid, he worked in the warehouse, eventually putting together, hanging, and electrifying light fixtures. While in college, Jake helped his father open up a 10,000 sq foot lighting showroom in Central Florida. A year after finishing college, his father retired and Jake ran the showroom for 7ish years until his father had to sell the business. Jake moved out to California, where his wife was from, and he purposefully turned down opportunities to return to lighting. Fast forward a decade, and after having 3 young kids and being a stay-at-home dad for a little over 3 years, he returned to lighting on the manufacturing side in 2019 working for Auroralight, and then Elco Lighting since May 2023.

    21 min
  5. #368 - Hot Takes From NAILDcon

    AUG 27

    #368 - Hot Takes From NAILDcon

    It was another very successful NAILD Convention. Michael and Greg give us their take on the event, from the seating plan to the presentations to the first pitch at the baseball game by Brian Huff. Greg considers the boxed lunch sandwich possibly one of the best he’s ever had!

    13 min
  6. #367 - From Mel’s Van O Lite to LightBulbs.com

    AUG 22

    #367 - From Mel’s Van O Lite to LightBulbs.com

    Mel Jacobson started selling light bulbs out of a van in 1951 and in 1955, Paul’s Grandfather Don McLellan joined Mel, then bought the company in 1982 when Mel retired. When the internet arrived, teenage Paul built a website and started selling light bulbs online. But vanolite.com just wasn’t going to cut it. And so LightBulbs.com was born. Paul and his brother-in-law Jason tell us how they built up the online business and how they continue to keep it successful. Hint - they have a big family. Paul created LightBulbs.com's first website in 1996, and continues to provide all eCommerce development today, focusing on providing a fast, responsive and user-friendly experience. After over 25 years of working in nearly every position at the company, Paul now rests comfortably as President (and Programmer).When he isn't working at LightBulbs.com, he's spending time with his wife Laura and their nine children (five of which are currently employed by LightBulbs.com), enjoying the outdoors, especially their favorite vacation spot of Fort Myers Beach, FL; and in his spare time, Paul really, really enjoys immersing himself in a good movie or video game. Jason has been with LightBulbs.com for 24 years and works directly with: Sales, Distribution, Customer Service, Accounting and Web Content. Fresh out of high school and after one year of doing tech support for a dial-up ISP in Minneapolis, he decided to join the family lighting business of his then girlfriend – who eventually became his wife.Since joining Service Lighting, Inc. / LightBulbs.com in 2000, Jason helped the company develop a pick, pack and ship process that handled a 1500% increase in average daily volume in these 24 years. In 2013, Jason began working with both Commercial and Retail / Utility Sales Managers on various projects and initiatives for their customers. Overseeing the growth of an online sales department that went from 4 reps up to 13 in those 11 years.Jason loves spending time with two kids, playing fantasy sports and having his heart constantly broken by the sports teams in Minnesota, especially the Vikings…

    40 min
  7. #366 - Archlight Summit 2024

    AUG 12

    #366 - Archlight Summit 2024

    Special Release! It’s almost September and that means the Archlight Summit is almost upon us. Lea and Cindy update Michael on what to expect this year at The Dallas Market Centre in Dallas Texas. Educational and enjoyable. Catch up with friends and colleagues you haven’t seen for a while. September 17 and 18. Lea is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in Trade Show Sales, Attendee Development, and new business development, specializing for over 14 years in the commercial and architectural lighting industry. Lea joined the Dallas Market Center this past April and is focused on Attendee Development and Exhibit Sales for ArchLIGHT Summit. She is dedicated to driving exhibit hall growth by attracting high-profile exhibitors and key industry attendees, ensuring the show's success, and expanding its impact in the lighting industry. Cindy is an award-winning Independent Marketing Consultant who’s been working in the lighting industry for 20 years. She has an extensive background in Event Management and Marketing in various industries including professional sports, non-profit events, and industry trade shows. She got her start in the commercial and architectural lighting industry with Acuity Brands and continues to serve as a marketing specialist for a variety of clients in architectural lighting. Cindy was contracted by the Dallas Market Center four years ago to create and manage ArchLIGHT Summit to Central Texas. She serves as the Director of Event Strategy and is responsible for exhibitor growth, association involvement, board members and overall event marketing and management. Cindy serves as the National Marketing Chair on the Women in Lighting + Design Board of Directors.

    18 min
  8. #365 - The Lighting System From Hell

    AUG 5

    #365 - The Lighting System From Hell

    We get back to basics with lighting distributor Brian Amundson, President of Pacific Lamp Wholesale. We start off with a video of possibly the most hellish room you could ever experience. Brian discusses with Michael and Greg, how to handle a situation like that, and sticking up for the customer in general. Brian began his career in the lighting industry with Pacific Lamp Wholesale, in 2009. Before Pacific Lamp he sold radiant floor heating, solar electric, and solar water systems. That is how he got started working with utility rebates and tax credit programs. Pacific Lamp founder Dave Junkin, a founding member of NAILD, came out of retirement, and Brian was the first person he hired after his son decided to do another line of work. Dave took him under my wing and taught him everything he knows about the business. Brian purchased the company from him in 2019. Brian would like to see more sustainable lighting and better standards of uniformity and would like to contribute to making the industry a better place with more collaboration between manufacturers and distributors to give end users better quality fixtures. He would love to see higher end lines manufactured in the US again! He is a huge advocate for dark sky friendly and animal friendly lighting that has purpose with the correct color and distribution based on the application.

    15 min
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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Recognizing a need in the lighting industry to forum together and discuss subjects & issues in our industry, the Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast was born. Get A Grip brings on industry experts to talk about real issues and focused on that subject matter. If there’s something to be said on the subject, Get A Grip will go there. Get A Grip On Lighting Podcasts are hosted by Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich, who have over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting industry. Michael Colligan is an entrepreneur and inventor. He’s a subject matter expert in commercial and industrial lighting supply, lighting retrofits, and finding recycling streams for hard-to-recycle waste. Greg Ehrich, LC is the former President of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and owner of a progressive lighting distributorship.

Information

  • Creator
    Get A Grip On Lighting
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    348
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Get A Grip On Lighting
  • Show Website
    Get A Grip On Lighting Podcast

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