Louis Poulsen hire, Varaluz update, architectural lighting debuts | Lighting Report
Louis Poulsen has appointed Rick Leeds head of B2B partnerships for North America, a new position for the company.
Leeds previously worked at Ledvance, a German lighting and smart home technology company, where he helped develop a project sales-oriented team focused on renovation projects, national accounts and energy service companies, Louis Poulsen said. Prior to Ledvance, Leeds held key positions at lighting companies Bover and Flos. At Bover, he directed sales efforts across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing their independent agencies and doubling North American sales within two years, Louis Poulsen said. During his tenure at Flos, he managed a team of business development managers and independent agencies.
As Louis Poulsen transitions away from its distribution partnership with NEO Architectural Lighting to establish a dedicated in-house business unit focusing on the contract segment, Leeds will play an integral role in the success of that initiative, the company said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rick to the Louis Poulsen family,” said Carly Conelli, managing director at Louis Poulsen. “His extensive experience and passion for the lighting industry will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint in North America and strengthen our partnerships.”
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Varaluz has been working on a website refresh that will debut on Friday, according to a company email. The new site will have faster navigation, better search and filter tools, streamlined product pages with clear specs, finishes and downloads, and tear sheets and resources easily available for designers. “This isn’t just a website refresh. It’s whole new Varaluz experience,” the company said.
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Buster + Punch’s Forked Lighting and the relaunch of its Cast hardware collection is featured in the Cactus House Kitchen by California interior design firm William Adams Design. The Forked pendants are made from cast and machined metal and feature a diamond-cut linear knurl pattern and fork detailing and a hand-blown glass globe.
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Fellow British brand Corston Architectural Detail has introduced the Malvern Wall Light, which it defines as “a refined take on the classic swan-neck sconce.” It’s available in a range of brass, bronze and nickel finishes with pleated fabric shades in a variety of tones.
