Philips acquires Bodine

announced today that it acquired

, a

manufacturer of emergency ballasts with 2005 revenues of over $30 million. The transaction is completed. No further financial details were disclosed.

Commonly referred to as fluorescent battery packs, emergency ballasts provide instant backup lighting when normal power fails. Each emergency ballast works in conjunction with an AC ballast to convert new or existing fluorescent lighting fixtures into emergency lighting equipment.

"This acquisition positions Philips very favourably in the niche emergency ballast market and enables us to broaden our product portfolio and enter strategic new market segments involving building networks," said Brian Dundon, President & CEO of Philips Lighting Electronics North America. "Together with Bodine we will pursue new opportunities in emergency lighting and improve the system compatibility of lamp, ballast, and emergency lighting technology."

David Crippen, CEO of Bodine, said, "We look forward to continuing to develop the field of emergency lighting in the areas of automation and control, LED, and electronic HID (high-intensity discharge) technology as well as enhancing our overall value proposition within the lighting industry."

Bodine will be fully integrated as a business unit within Philips Lighting, while their commercial activities will continue to be operated under the Bodine structure. Founded in 1962, Bodine is a manufacturer of emergency ballasts and specialty lighting solutions and currently employs approximately 200 people in its Tennessee headquarters.