Billboard Insider talked with Reliable Electric General Manager Brian Kline to get an update on high efficiency billboard lights.

How did Covid impact Reliable?

Thanks for asking Dave. We have been fortunate at Reliable. Early on, Covid slowed down the progress of quite a few conversion projects. As time passed, many of our customers realized that installing the LED fixtures would drastically reduce monthly expenses while aesthetically improving the markets. While many of our larger customers have reduced capital expenditures for 2021, mid-size and smaller independents have taken advantage of the opportunities.

The news is filled with supply chain shortages and raw material increases.  How have out of home lighting products been impacted?

2021 has been a challenge. Most of our manufacturers  have a small annual price increase each spring. 2021 has brought quarterly increases. In addition to raw material increases, the supply chain has struggled keeping up with demand. Fortunately for us, most of our suppliers are North America based and have limited extended lead times. The only product we import are ratchets for posting. I currently have an entire container sitting in China without an available space for the long ride home.

You can achieve a 35-40% return on capital by retrofitting old HID billboard lights.  What info do you need to quote high efficiency lights?

So happy to hear you saw great returns Dave. Truly a pleasure to work with you and your team. The guys at Outdoor link also did a great job installing them for us. A simple phone call is the best way to start the conversation. Every out of home company has different needs. We need to find the best solution for the market and create a game plan moving forward to maximize the ROI.

What’s the estimated useful life for high efficiency lights?

Somewhat of a loaded question Dave as they have only been used in this application since 2010. Manufacturers say 20 years based on lab testing. Realistically I believe a quality LED fixture will last 20 years.  There will be some maintenance required however, primarily drivers. Important key note here,  stick with a well-known manufacturer and distributor that will be there to take care of any issues that arise in the future. Unfortunately a lot of out of home companies have been burned purchasing LED fixtures from a manufacturer(s) now out of business.  Reliable has been serving this industry since 1945 and Holophane came out with the first billboard specific fixture in late 70s.

You can call Brian Kline at 866-250-6445 or email bkline@reliable-electric.com.

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