LED Source(R) Debuts In Iowa

By: LED Source | 9 Shares 159 Reads

LED Lighting Franchise Opens First Location in State With Plans for 1 Additional by 2013

August 16, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Urbandale, Iowa)---Earlier this year, the state of Iowa announced its plans to move towards a green economy for job creation. Renewable energy production, sustainable agriculture, green building construction and retrofitting and energy efficiency were identified by Iowa's green technology committee as four emerging green economic sectors. But long before the state made its move to go green, Des Moines residents Mark Schroder and Brian Tessau knew that green businesses were the wave of the future.

This month, the pair will open LED Source® – a company that supplies high quality LED lighting products and specializes in full-scale evaluations and retrofits. The business will be headquartered at 10576 Justin Drive in Urbandale. Schroder and Tessau purchased franchise rights for the entire state and plan to open a second office in Cedar Rapids within 24 months.

"We are thrilled to bring LED Source to the Iowa community," says Tessau. "LEDs are the most energy-efficient lighting solution available and there is a growing demand for more environmentally-friendly products and services in this area. Not only will we be adding green jobs and contributing to our local economy, but we're also helping property owners save money, which is a priority for everyone in this tough economic climate."

Although the LED lighting market is still in its infancy, market tracker Strategies Unlimited predicts global sales of general-purpose LEDs will triple to $14.9 billion in 2013 from $5.1 billion in 2008, a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent.

Additionally, according to the U.S. Dept, of Energy, rapid adoption of LED lighting in the United States over the next 20 years would reduce electricity demands from lighting by one-third, eliminate 258 million metric tons of carbon emissions, eliminate the construction of 40 power plants and create financial savings that could exceed $200 billion.

LED Source is targeting two main business sectors, including commercial and residential. Potential clients will include but are not limited to hotels, banks, office buildings, retail establishments, healthcare facilities, restaurants, convenience stores, car dealerships, schools, manufacturing plants and single-family and multi-family homes. Consumers are attracted to LEDs for both their financial and environmental advantages. They are further encouraged by federal tax incentives and local utility rebates – some that cover anywhere between 30 percent and 100 percent of the cost of LED lighting.

"LEDs save energy, cut electrical bills and maintenance costs, give off very little heat and contain no dangerous toxic chemicals – all of which are extremely important to each of the sectors we're targeting," says Tessau.

Tessau, who will serve as general manager for the business, spent the last 10 years in construction and facility management before teaming up with Schroder. As the owner of Energy Shield International, LLC – a reflective insulation company – as well as a handful of other successful operations, Schroder is no stranger to business ownership and the green industry. He will serve as president of LED Source in Iowa, transferring his knowledge in sales and marketing to form valuable relationships with key industry members and expand the company across the state.

"Our goal is to raise awareness and educate the community about the benefits of LED lighting and sustainable building practices," says Tessau. "We felt now was the perfect time to open LED Source, providing a valuable resource and making quality LED products more accessible for Iowans."

Founded in 2005 by lighting industry veteran Marcel Fairbairn, LED Source is North America's first and only franchisor of LED lighting. The company launched the franchise program in October 2009 and expects to have a network of 150 franchise offices throughout the U.S. and Canada within three years.