Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation, or commonly known as Akari (stylized as AKARI) is a Philippine lighting company.
 | |
| Industry | Lighting |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Chris Tiu (CEO) |
| Products | Lamps, switch panels, lighting fixtures, automated light systems |
| Owner | Carlson Group of Companies |
| Website | akari |
History
editAkari is a lighting brand under the Carlson Group of Companies of the Tiu family.[1] Tiu patriarch Carlos started the family business in the 1970s becoming a distributor of Japanese light bulbs and fixtures. The family became the exclusive distributor of Toshiba lighting and wiring products in the Philippines.[2] Carlson Group manufactured Toshiba lamps at its factory in Cavite until the plant's closure in 2006 due to economic reasons.[3]
Japanese products are reputed for its quality but the Tius accessed that it may be too expensive for a lower-income demographic.[2] Christopher Tiu secured supply of Chinese manufactured light bulbs and equipment for less cost which became the basis of the Akari brand, which came from the Japanese word for light (明かり).[1][2] Akari was introduced in 2002 and was promoted as a energy saving lamp (ESL) brand.[3]
Products
editAkari sells various types of lighting from lamps, switch panels, and other fixtures. It also offers automated light systems.[1] Its line of next-generation LED lighting is called NXLED which was launched in 2012.[2]
As of 2007, 95 percent of Akari's products are sourced from mainland China while the rest are from Thailand and Taiwan. Akari claimed to be the third most popular lighting system in the Philippines after Philips and Omni.[4]
Involvement in sports
editAkari has two women's volleyball teams in the Premier Volleyball League of the Philippines; the Akari Chargers which joined in 2022[5] and the Nxled Chameleons which followed suit in the following year.[6] It is also funding the construction of the Home of the UAAP, a dedicated indoor arena for the collegiate University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Sy, Karen Choa (October 11, 2008). "Everything is illuminated". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Lee-Chua, Queena (February 6, 2014). "Akari's Tiu siblings work in harmony". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Cahiles-Magkilat, Bernie (August 12, 2008). "Lighting firm sees 20% sales growth". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ "RP firm banks on govt's 'green' campaign to boost sale of power-saving lights". GMA News. August 11, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Leongson, Randolph (May 31, 2022). "Akari joins upcoming PVL season". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ "Akari forms second PVL team Nxled". Tiebreaker Times. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ Valencia, Justin (August 30, 2024). "Akari weighs PBA offers, but prioritizes building 'Home of the UAAP'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 17, 2024.