Vorarlberg-based lighting manufacturer Zumtobel is shifting its focus from classic individual luminaires to networked lighting systems. In an interview with cash.at, manager Linden explains the strategic realignment against the backdrop of increasing demands for energy efficiency and digital building control.
Digitalization is fundamentally changing the lighting industry. Intelligent lighting controls now communicate with heating, ventilation, and security systems via unified protocols. Zumtobel is responding to this development with products that integrate seamlessly into BIM-based planning processes. Compatibility with platforms from Autodesk or the Nemetschek Group is becoming a competitive factor.
Sustainability forms the second focus of the company's strategy. Pressure on manufacturers is growing not only to supply energy-saving light sources but also to design the entire product lifecycle in a carbon-neutral manner. Linden points to the importance of recyclable materials and local supply chains – an approach also pursued by building material manufacturers like Wienerberger or Knauf. Circular economy in building construction increasingly requires suppliers to provide modular, dismantlable components.
New requirements are emerging for architects and lighting designers. Lighting planning is merging with building services engineering into an integrated trade. Functions such as presence detection, daylight control, or color temperature adjustment are becoming standard, especially in office and commercial projects. The interface between facade planning and interior lighting is gaining importance when natural and artificial light are dynamically coordinated.
The impact on construction planning is concrete: electrical engineers must recalculate data cabling and power supply. Facility managers need access to maintenance and consumption data via cloud platforms. Investment decisions are shifting from pure acquisition cost considerations to total-cost-of-ownership analyses over 15 to 20 years of operating life.
Zumtobel is positioning itself with this approach in competition against international corporations that are also betting on smart building technology. The combination of lighting technology with sensor data opens up new business models – from lighting-as-a-service to space utilization analysis for existing properties. For planners, this means: the selection of lighting systems becomes a strategic decision with implications for building certifications according to DGNB or LEED.