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8th November 2023

The Unios Home Collection

Founded in Perth in 2011, Unios has quickly established itself as one of the fastest-growing lighting brands in the APAC region. With the aim to bring comfort to your every day, Unios provide an extensive product range, from interior to landscape, that can perfectly embed solace and warmth into the home, office, store, garden or park. 
 
The Unios Home Collection are lighting staples made for the everyday. The collection includes everything from table lamps to wall lights, spotlights, downlights and bollard lights. Scroll down for some of the highlights, and download the full Home Collection book via the link below.

If you would like to learn more about any of these products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch

The Unios Home Collection

Founded in Perth in 2011, Unios has quickly established itself as one of the fastest-growing lighting brands in the APAC region. With the aim to bring comfort to your every day, Unios provide an extensive product range, from interior to landscape, that can perfectly embed solace and warmth into the home, office, store, garden or park. 
 
The Unios Home Collection are lighting staples made for the everyday. The collection includes everything from table lamps to wall lights, spotlights, downlights and bollard lights. Scroll down for some of the highlights, and download the full Home Collection book via the link below.

If you would like to learn more about any of these products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch

1st June 2023

Wild-Light From WE-EF Protects Sensitive Areas With Adaptive Light

This content was originally published on the WE-EF website.

Respect for the dark and a balance between the needs of people as users of light and consideration of the climate, flora and fauna – these are the criteria by which lighting concepts for outdoor spaces are measured today. WE-EF has developed ecologically compatible lighting solutions that it calls “Wild-Light,” which enable adaptive lighting of streets, paths and open spaces – not just with regard to the brightness level, but also the colour temperature.

People who use streets, paths or open spaces in the dark want to feel safe and have good visual orientation. Paths or destinations such as car parks or bus stops should be visible from afar and therefore continuously illuminated at night, as laid down in the relevant standards such as EN-13201-2. How can such requirements be reconciled with optimal protection of the environment, for example, in or near nature reserves and similar sensitive areas? WE-EF’s answer is Wild-Light lighting technology. It uses the scope for adaptive light that is opened up by the new version of DIN 13201-1:2021-09, not just to gradate the illuminance level, but also to vary the colour temperature – a factor that is particularly important for wildlife.

One luminaire, two colour temperatures

According to the latest research, extremely warm-coloured light with a minimised blue component is particularly kind to animals, insects or nocturnal mammals. However, the colours and contrasts of such light are not as good for the human eye as conventional LEDs in warm white with 3000 K. Wild-Light offers a solution to this dilemma in the form of an integrated system of adaptive lighting technology, sensors and connectivity. For this, WE-EF has combined LED modules in two different temperature colours in suitable luminaires such as those in pole luminaires – the more nature-friendly colour temperature of 2200 K and warm white with 3000 K.

As the OLC® One LED Concept LED lens systems from WE-EF follow the multi-layer principle, each individual LED also illuminates the entire assessment field with Wild-Light. Illumination layers are created that add up evenly and efficiently – regardless of the activated colour temperature. This means that Wild-Light can also be combined with all OLC® light distributions.

Some areas of ecological significance require continuous gentle illumination for human safety. Here, Wild-Light uses a warm colour temperature of 2200 K at a low level.
Wild-Light combines a biodiversity friendly light colour, with 2200 K colour temperature, on a low level, with very reduced blue hue content that can disrupt wildlife habits and a warm white 3000 K, comfortable and safe for citizens and cyclists at night.

Timer or motion sensor control

The different-coloured LED modules are each supplied by one DALI ballast per colour channel. There are two Wild-Light control variants: “Wild-Light Advanced” and “Wild-Light Motion.”

“Wild-Light Advanced” is a time-based control. Both colour temperatures are controlled independently of one another with the well-proven Eco Step Dim® Advanced control system from WE-EF with, for example, 3000 K in the two hours after sunset or before sunrise and during the rest of the night with 2200 K. The LEDs can also be dimmed to pre-programmed values.

In contrast, “Wild-Light Motion” is based on motion detection. The ecologically compatible light colour 2200 K stays on throughout the night, is not controlled and provides basic lighting. The 3000 K channel is switched on via a connected motion detector and can be controlled, for example, by the Eco Step Dim® Motion system. WE-EF luminaires with an appropriate Zhaga “Book 18” socket can be fitted with sensors; with other luminaires a separate motion box houses the additional components.

Wild-Light Eco Step Dim® Advanced – fully automatic dimming preset, starting the night with warm white (3000 K from 20:00 to 22:00), reduced to biodiversity friendly in the heart of the night (2200 K from 22:00 to 06:00), and returning back to warm white in the early morning (3000 K from 06:00 to 07:00). This is the easiest solution to implement
Wild-Light Eco Step Dim® Motion – the biodiversity friendly 2200 K is on throughout the night on a low level, preserving wildlife and saving energy. At the presence of a pedestrian or cyclist, additional warm white 3000 K switches on, and will immediately return back to only 2200 K when no one is around. This is the solution to prefer for optimal wildlife preservation and maximised energy savings.

An element of the WE-EF sustainability strategy

With Wild-Light, WE-EF is developing lighting solutions that minimise the negative impact on the environment, save energy as well as offer users convenience and safety. The technology is based on proven components and offers the quality, reliability and durability that the WE-EF brand stands for as an all-round sustainable concept.

Wild-Light From WE-EF Protects Sensitive Areas With Adaptive Light

This content was originally published on the WE-EF website.

Respect for the dark and a balance between the needs of people as users of light and consideration of the climate, flora and fauna – these are the criteria by which lighting concepts for outdoor spaces are measured today. WE-EF has developed ecologically compatible lighting solutions that it calls “Wild-Light,” which enable adaptive lighting of streets, paths and open spaces – not just with regard to the brightness level, but also the colour temperature.

People who use streets, paths or open spaces in the dark want to feel safe and have good visual orientation. Paths or destinations such as car parks or bus stops should be visible from afar and therefore continuously illuminated at night, as laid down in the relevant standards such as EN-13201-2. How can such requirements be reconciled with optimal protection of the environment, for example, in or near nature reserves and similar sensitive areas? WE-EF’s answer is Wild-Light lighting technology. It uses the scope for adaptive light that is opened up by the new version of DIN 13201-1:2021-09, not just to gradate the illuminance level, but also to vary the colour temperature – a factor that is particularly important for wildlife.

One luminaire, two colour temperatures

According to the latest research, extremely warm-coloured light with a minimised blue component is particularly kind to animals, insects or nocturnal mammals. However, the colours and contrasts of such light are not as good for the human eye as conventional LEDs in warm white with 3000 K. Wild-Light offers a solution to this dilemma in the form of an integrated system of adaptive lighting technology, sensors and connectivity. For this, WE-EF has combined LED modules in two different temperature colours in suitable luminaires such as those in pole luminaires – the more nature-friendly colour temperature of 2200 K and warm white with 3000 K.

As the OLC® One LED Concept LED lens systems from WE-EF follow the multi-layer principle, each individual LED also illuminates the entire assessment field with Wild-Light. Illumination layers are created that add up evenly and efficiently – regardless of the activated colour temperature. This means that Wild-Light can also be combined with all OLC® light distributions.

Some areas of ecological significance require continuous gentle illumination for human safety. Here, Wild-Light uses a warm colour temperature of 2200 K at a low level.
Wild-Light combines a biodiversity friendly light colour, with 2200 K colour temperature, on a low level, with very reduced blue hue content that can disrupt wildlife habits and a warm white 3000 K, comfortable and safe for citizens and cyclists at night.

Timer or motion sensor control

The different-coloured LED modules are each supplied by one DALI ballast per colour channel. There are two Wild-Light control variants: “Wild-Light Advanced” and “Wild-Light Motion.”

“Wild-Light Advanced” is a time-based control. Both colour temperatures are controlled independently of one another with the well-proven Eco Step Dim® Advanced control system from WE-EF with, for example, 3000 K in the two hours after sunset or before sunrise and during the rest of the night with 2200 K. The LEDs can also be dimmed to pre-programmed values.

In contrast, “Wild-Light Motion” is based on motion detection. The ecologically compatible light colour 2200 K stays on throughout the night, is not controlled and provides basic lighting. The 3000 K channel is switched on via a connected motion detector and can be controlled, for example, by the Eco Step Dim® Motion system. WE-EF luminaires with an appropriate Zhaga “Book 18” socket can be fitted with sensors; with other luminaires a separate motion box houses the additional components.

Wild-Light Eco Step Dim® Advanced – fully automatic dimming preset, starting the night with warm white (3000 K from 20:00 to 22:00), reduced to biodiversity friendly in the heart of the night (2200 K from 22:00 to 06:00), and returning back to warm white in the early morning (3000 K from 06:00 to 07:00). This is the easiest solution to implement
Wild-Light Eco Step Dim® Motion – the biodiversity friendly 2200 K is on throughout the night on a low level, preserving wildlife and saving energy. At the presence of a pedestrian or cyclist, additional warm white 3000 K switches on, and will immediately return back to only 2200 K when no one is around. This is the solution to prefer for optimal wildlife preservation and maximised energy savings.

An element of the WE-EF sustainability strategy

With Wild-Light, WE-EF is developing lighting solutions that minimise the negative impact on the environment, save energy as well as offer users convenience and safety. The technology is based on proven components and offers the quality, reliability and durability that the WE-EF brand stands for as an all-round sustainable concept.

4th July 2022

MHL Appointed NZ Distributor for Leadsun

Our aim at MHL is to provide New Zealand lighting designers, planners, consultants and engineers with cost effective, durable, long life, energy efficient lighting solutions. To do so, we partner with manufacturers of high-quality lighting products from around the world. 

We’re today proud to announce a new partnership with Australian based Leadsun as their new NZ distribution partner.

Leadsun are a leading provider of off-grid solar exterior lighting solutions for public spaces. To date, they have distributed more than 300,000 lighting systems worldwide. 

The Leadsun brand represents a catalyst for change and confidence in the future of solar lighting. Leadsun’s mission is to light up public spaces across Australia and NZ with smart, environmentally friendly, off-grid solar lighting – and to do it easily, affordably and efficiently.

With innovation and dependability at the core of the brand, Leadsun are the perfect partner for MHL. The Leadsun solar engines can be paired up with either Leadsun or our ever popular WE-EF luminaires – both of which are Dark Sky compliant. 

Leadsun products are available through MHL now, and from the 1st of January 2023, we will be the exclusive distributor in NZ. 

Visit the Leadsun website to learn more about their innovative solar lighting solutions, or contact us to discuss how Leadsun products can make a difference in your upcoming projects. 

Discover Leadsun’s Products

MHL Appointed NZ Distributor for Leadsun

Our aim at MHL is to provide New Zealand lighting designers, planners, consultants and engineers with cost effective, durable, long life, energy efficient lighting solutions. To do so, we partner with manufacturers of high-quality lighting products from around the world. 

We’re today proud to announce a new partnership with Australian based Leadsun as their new NZ distribution partner.

Leadsun are a leading provider of off-grid solar exterior lighting solutions for public spaces. To date, they have distributed more than 300,000 lighting systems worldwide. 

The Leadsun brand represents a catalyst for change and confidence in the future of solar lighting. Leadsun’s mission is to light up public spaces across Australia and NZ with smart, environmentally friendly, off-grid solar lighting – and to do it easily, affordably and efficiently.

With innovation and dependability at the core of the brand, Leadsun are the perfect partner for MHL. The Leadsun solar engines can be paired up with either Leadsun or our ever popular WE-EF luminaires – both of which are Dark Sky compliant. 

Leadsun products are available through MHL now, and from the 1st of January 2023, we will be the exclusive distributor in NZ. 

Visit the Leadsun website to learn more about their innovative solar lighting solutions, or contact us to discuss how Leadsun products can make a difference in your upcoming projects. 

Discover Leadsun’s Products

31st January 2022

IP Rating Misperceptions

IP67 is always better than IP66 – right? Not necessarily!

IP ratings are defined in accordance with IEC 60529:

  • the 1st digit denotes the protection against solids
  • the 2nd digit denotes the protection against liquids

Many people wrongfully believe the higher the IP rating, the better. This is certainly not the case regarding protection against water ingress, as denoted by the 2nd digit.

  • IPX1 – IPX6 are appropriate for luminaires intended to be installed above ground and classify the resistance to moisture ingress due to dripping, spraying, splashing or jets of water.
  • IPX7 & IPX8 are appropriate for luminaires intended to be installed in-ground or underwater and classify resistance to moisture ingress due to temporary or permanent immersion/submersion in water. 

The testing procedures for IPX1 – IPX6 are quite different to the procedures for IPX7 and IPX8.

We too often see luminaire manufacturers rate their above-ground exterior luminaires (including wall, ceiling, or post mounted) IP67, which many people infer as being even better than IP66. This may not actually be the case.

Whilst these luminaires may withstand temporary immersion in water in accordance with the IP67 testing, this ‘immersion in water’ rating is not relevant for these above-ground styles of luminaires and does not guarantee any level of protection against moisture ingress due to splashing or jets of water, which is far more relevant.

This is one of the reasons why we recommend WE-EF in-ground luminaires.

All WE-EF IP67 or IP68 rated in-ground luminaires are also specifically tested and rated IP66 to ensure a very high level of resistance to powerful water jets, which could well be encountered during routine cleaning over the life of the installation.

The longevity of exterior luminaires will depend on many attributes, including IP ratings. IP66 is generally considered the ‘gold standard’ for municipal grade above-ground luminaires providing the highest level of protection against water jets.

The quality of the seals is also important to ensure the IP rating is maintained over the life of the luminaire, which for most municipal applications is expected to be a min of 20 years. Many seals may provide high IP ratings when the luminaires are new (and tested) but will compress &/or harden over time resulting in a gradual degradation of resistance to moisture ingress.

That is why high-quality luminaires like those from WE-EF utilise non-ageing, silicone rubber, and CCG (Controlled Compression Gasket) seals to ensure IP ratings are maintained over the life of the luminaire.

Learn more about WE-EF luminaires

Download the technical extract of the General Catalogue from WE-EF to learn more about why WE-EF are our supplier of choice for in-ground exterior luminaires. Download here.

IP Rating Misperceptions

IP67 is always better than IP66 – right? Not necessarily!

IP ratings are defined in accordance with IEC 60529:

  • the 1st digit denotes the protection against solids
  • the 2nd digit denotes the protection against liquids

Many people wrongfully believe the higher the IP rating, the better. This is certainly not the case regarding protection against water ingress, as denoted by the 2nd digit.

  • IPX1 – IPX6 are appropriate for luminaires intended to be installed above ground and classify the resistance to moisture ingress due to dripping, spraying, splashing or jets of water.
  • IPX7 & IPX8 are appropriate for luminaires intended to be installed in-ground or underwater and classify resistance to moisture ingress due to temporary or permanent immersion/submersion in water. 

The testing procedures for IPX1 – IPX6 are quite different to the procedures for IPX7 and IPX8.

We too often see luminaire manufacturers rate their above-ground exterior luminaires (including wall, ceiling, or post mounted) IP67, which many people infer as being even better than IP66. This may not actually be the case.

Whilst these luminaires may withstand temporary immersion in water in accordance with the IP67 testing, this ‘immersion in water’ rating is not relevant for these above-ground styles of luminaires and does not guarantee any level of protection against moisture ingress due to splashing or jets of water, which is far more relevant.

This is one of the reasons why we recommend WE-EF in-ground luminaires.

All WE-EF IP67 or IP68 rated in-ground luminaires are also specifically tested and rated IP66 to ensure a very high level of resistance to powerful water jets, which could well be encountered during routine cleaning over the life of the installation.

The longevity of exterior luminaires will depend on many attributes, including IP ratings. IP66 is generally considered the ‘gold standard’ for municipal grade above-ground luminaires providing the highest level of protection against water jets.

The quality of the seals is also important to ensure the IP rating is maintained over the life of the luminaire, which for most municipal applications is expected to be a min of 20 years. Many seals may provide high IP ratings when the luminaires are new (and tested) but will compress &/or harden over time resulting in a gradual degradation of resistance to moisture ingress.

That is why high-quality luminaires like those from WE-EF utilise non-ageing, silicone rubber, and CCG (Controlled Compression Gasket) seals to ensure IP ratings are maintained over the life of the luminaire.

Learn more about WE-EF luminaires

Download the technical extract of the General Catalogue from WE-EF to learn more about why WE-EF are our supplier of choice for in-ground exterior luminaires. Download here.

15th September 2021

Watch: ADSA Best Practice Lighting Principles


In this video, the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance outlines the best practice lighting principles they developed to reduce light pollutions.

Watch the video to learn about what lighting you should use to avoid light pollution.


Watch: ADSA Best Practice Lighting Principles


In this video, the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance outlines the best practice lighting principles they developed to reduce light pollutions.

Watch the video to learn about what lighting you should use to avoid light pollution.


30th August 2021

Watch: The Beauty in the Darkness – Reducing Light Pollution


At the end of August, we teamed up with WE-EF and the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects to host a webinar titled The Beauty in the Darkness – Reducing Light Pollution. 


If we weren’t able to join us for the live webinar or would like to experience it again, you can now watch the recording of the webinar here.



WE-EF’s Ronan Marsh outlines that light pollution is the fastest growing pollutant in the world. The ramifications of light pollution are vast, including:


>> endangering ecosystems

>> altering biochemical/circadian rhythms

>> increasing greenhouse gases

>> losing connection to cultural heritage


During this online CPD training, Ronan discusses products you can use to reduce light pollution.

Watch: The Beauty in the Darkness – Reducing Light Pollution


At the end of August, we teamed up with WE-EF and the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects to host a webinar titled The Beauty in the Darkness – Reducing Light Pollution. 


If we weren’t able to join us for the live webinar or would like to experience it again, you can now watch the recording of the webinar here.



WE-EF’s Ronan Marsh outlines that light pollution is the fastest growing pollutant in the world. The ramifications of light pollution are vast, including:


>> endangering ecosystems

>> altering biochemical/circadian rhythms

>> increasing greenhouse gases

>> losing connection to cultural heritage


During this online CPD training, Ronan discusses products you can use to reduce light pollution.

8th May 2020

Choosing Lighting Poles: Aluminium vs Steel


When it comes to lighting poles, landscape architects, electrical engineers and lighting designers generally have two choices: aluminium or steel. 

Traditionally, steel has been the material of choice for poles due to it being durable, strong and easy to fabricate. However, aluminium is becoming increasingly popular – for good reasons. Here are the key benefits aluminium poles offer compared to steel poles. 



Corrosion Resistant

Manufactures of aluminium poles, like Hydro, use marine-grade aluminium that forms a protective oxide layer. This makes the poles highly corrosion resistant and prolongs their life. Due to this natural corrosion resistance, aluminium poles don’t need any additional surface treatment. Hydro aluminium poles can be designed with a designlife of up to 50 years. 

In comparison, steel needs to be galvanised and is often also painted to protect it from corrosion, which results in extra costs and environmental impact. Any additional surface treatments such as paint or powder coat will have a finite life. This becomes a maintenance burden over the lifespan of the pole. 

In a harsh climate like New Zealand, the natural corrosion resistance of aluminium poles offers many benefits. It gives both suppliers and customers the confidence that the poles will stand the test of time, that they will still look good many years into the future and that ongoing maintenance costs will be at a minimum.



100% Recyclable and Clean/Green Production

When considering the big picture and the greater good of society, aluminium offers one significant benefit compared to steel: It’s 100% recyclable without loss of quality. Our Hydro aluminium poles are made from 95% recycled aluminium. 

Using recycled aluminium is much cheaper than primary aluminium. Maybe even more importantly, it requires only about 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. Given that energy consumption is a major environmental issue, this alone is a great reason to consider aluminium poles over steel. 

The positive environmental impact is further enhanced when using poles from a sustainability-focused business like Hydro, who use 100% clean and green energy for their manufacturing processes. However, it is important to note that this is not the case for all pole manufacturers. Many still rely on dirty, fossil fuel energy, so make sure you know where your poles come from and how they are manufactured.

If sustainability and the protection of our environment are aspects that matter to you when selecting your products, there is no better choice than Hydro aluminium poles. 



Lightweight

Another advantage of aluminium is that it is strong but lightweight. The average aluminium pole weighs less than half of the equivalent steel pole. The AT (Auckland Transport) approved Hydro aluminium poles that we stock only weigh between 41kg (6m pole) and 92kg (10m) pole, which means the 6m and 8m poles can be lifted and installed by two people without needing any heavy machinery or traffic management. 

The lower weight is not just beneficial during installation. It also offers advantages during manufacturing, shipping and storage that all help to keep the cost down.



Elegant Aesthetics and Easy to Fabricate

Aluminium is a very malleable material that is easy to fabricate and can be bent and shaped in many ways. As a result, leading suppliers like Hydro are able to offer custom shaped poles at competitive pricing. 

Aluminium poles are made from one seamless extruded profile meaning there are no welded seams – something that is not possible with steel. In addition, our Hydro aluminium poles are one single piece, not multiple sections mounted together. Unlike steel, aluminium does not need to be painted, which is an advantage as it means there are no concerns about paint damage. However, they can be painted if required to meet the desired aesthetics. 



Competitive Pricing 

Aluminium poles offer all of these benefits and more at a similar price to what you would pay for quality galvanised and painted steel poles. Considering longer lifespans and ongoing maintenance costs, aluminium poles are often the more cost-effective option for many projects. 



Learn more about Hydro aluminium poles here or contact us to discuss the use of aluminium poles for your upcoming projects. 

Choosing Lighting Poles: Aluminium vs Steel


When it comes to lighting poles, landscape architects, electrical engineers and lighting designers generally have two choices: aluminium or steel. 

Traditionally, steel has been the material of choice for poles due to it being durable, strong and easy to fabricate. However, aluminium is becoming increasingly popular – for good reasons. Here are the key benefits aluminium poles offer compared to steel poles. 



Corrosion Resistant

Manufactures of aluminium poles, like Hydro, use marine-grade aluminium that forms a protective oxide layer. This makes the poles highly corrosion resistant and prolongs their life. Due to this natural corrosion resistance, aluminium poles don’t need any additional surface treatment. Hydro aluminium poles can be designed with a designlife of up to 50 years. 

In comparison, steel needs to be galvanised and is often also painted to protect it from corrosion, which results in extra costs and environmental impact. Any additional surface treatments such as paint or powder coat will have a finite life. This becomes a maintenance burden over the lifespan of the pole. 

In a harsh climate like New Zealand, the natural corrosion resistance of aluminium poles offers many benefits. It gives both suppliers and customers the confidence that the poles will stand the test of time, that they will still look good many years into the future and that ongoing maintenance costs will be at a minimum.



100% Recyclable and Clean/Green Production

When considering the big picture and the greater good of society, aluminium offers one significant benefit compared to steel: It’s 100% recyclable without loss of quality. Our Hydro aluminium poles are made from 95% recycled aluminium. 

Using recycled aluminium is much cheaper than primary aluminium. Maybe even more importantly, it requires only about 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. Given that energy consumption is a major environmental issue, this alone is a great reason to consider aluminium poles over steel. 

The positive environmental impact is further enhanced when using poles from a sustainability-focused business like Hydro, who use 100% clean and green energy for their manufacturing processes. However, it is important to note that this is not the case for all pole manufacturers. Many still rely on dirty, fossil fuel energy, so make sure you know where your poles come from and how they are manufactured.

If sustainability and the protection of our environment are aspects that matter to you when selecting your products, there is no better choice than Hydro aluminium poles. 



Lightweight

Another advantage of aluminium is that it is strong but lightweight. The average aluminium pole weighs less than half of the equivalent steel pole. The AT (Auckland Transport) approved Hydro aluminium poles that we stock only weigh between 41kg (6m pole) and 92kg (10m) pole, which means the 6m and 8m poles can be lifted and installed by two people without needing any heavy machinery or traffic management. 

The lower weight is not just beneficial during installation. It also offers advantages during manufacturing, shipping and storage that all help to keep the cost down.



Elegant Aesthetics and Easy to Fabricate

Aluminium is a very malleable material that is easy to fabricate and can be bent and shaped in many ways. As a result, leading suppliers like Hydro are able to offer custom shaped poles at competitive pricing. 

Aluminium poles are made from one seamless extruded profile meaning there are no welded seams – something that is not possible with steel. In addition, our Hydro aluminium poles are one single piece, not multiple sections mounted together. Unlike steel, aluminium does not need to be painted, which is an advantage as it means there are no concerns about paint damage. However, they can be painted if required to meet the desired aesthetics. 



Competitive Pricing 

Aluminium poles offer all of these benefits and more at a similar price to what you would pay for quality galvanised and painted steel poles. Considering longer lifespans and ongoing maintenance costs, aluminium poles are often the more cost-effective option for many projects. 



Learn more about Hydro aluminium poles here or contact us to discuss the use of aluminium poles for your upcoming projects. 

18th March 2020

MHL Customer Support During COVID-19


In light of the current situation, MHL will continue to prioritise the health and safety of our team and customers. We also want to be able to continue to support you and keep you updated, so that you can continue servicing your projects and customers effectively.

As a result, we will be continuing to review how we manage our customer interaction. However, in the short term, we will continue face to face meetings with one or two individuals at our customers’ discretion and move technical and product presentations digitally using our Video Conferencing software.

We hope you understand the need to change the way we work and to find new ways of working to continue business as usual.

All international roadshows are being reviewed. Normal service with your MHL representative via phone or email is unaffected.

MHL Customer Support During COVID-19


In light of the current situation, MHL will continue to prioritise the health and safety of our team and customers. We also want to be able to continue to support you and keep you updated, so that you can continue servicing your projects and customers effectively.

As a result, we will be continuing to review how we manage our customer interaction. However, in the short term, we will continue face to face meetings with one or two individuals at our customers’ discretion and move technical and product presentations digitally using our Video Conferencing software.

We hope you understand the need to change the way we work and to find new ways of working to continue business as usual.

All international roadshows are being reviewed. Normal service with your MHL representative via phone or email is unaffected.

18th March 2020

Exterior Lighting Standard Update


Over three years in the making, the much awaited update of AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2020 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting – Performance and design has just been published and is available for purchase from Standards NZ.


This much-needed update on the previous 2005 version incorporates many changes, including:


1. New and more precise lighting subcategories and descriptors, in most cases with slightly different LTP (Light Technical Parameters – light levels/uniformities etc.)


Roads:

Pedestrian & Cycle Path:

Public Activity Areas:

Connecting Elements:

Outdoor Car Parks:

new subcategories PR1-PR6

new subcategories PP1-PP5

new subcategories PA1-PA3

new subcategories PE1-PE3

new subcategories PC1-PC3, PCD, PCX


2. LED luminaires and design techniques are now incorporated for the first time

3. Glare issues are addressed in a more sophisticated and internationally aligned manner

4. Smart CMS (Central Management Systems) and adaptive lighting (i.e. variable light levels) are validated and encouraged

5. CLO (Constant Light Output) control is accommodated


This new standard is effective immediately. The phase-in period from the old standard will depend on the RCA (Road Controlling Authority – i.e. council) and/or asset owner.


Note also, the upgrade of the sister standard AS/NZS 1158.1.1:2020 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Vehicular area (Category V) lighting – Performance and design is well advanced with publication expected in the next few months.


Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about this new standard or exterior lighting solutions.




Exterior Lighting Standard Update


Over three years in the making, the much awaited update of AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2020 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting – Performance and design has just been published and is available for purchase from Standards NZ.


This much-needed update on the previous 2005 version incorporates many changes, including:


1. New and more precise lighting subcategories and descriptors, in most cases with slightly different LTP (Light Technical Parameters – light levels/uniformities etc.)


Roads:

Pedestrian & Cycle Path:

Public Activity Areas:

Connecting Elements:

Outdoor Car Parks:

new subcategories PR1-PR6

new subcategories PP1-PP5

new subcategories PA1-PA3

new subcategories PE1-PE3

new subcategories PC1-PC3, PCD, PCX


2. LED luminaires and design techniques are now incorporated for the first time

3. Glare issues are addressed in a more sophisticated and internationally aligned manner

4. Smart CMS (Central Management Systems) and adaptive lighting (i.e. variable light levels) are validated and encouraged

5. CLO (Constant Light Output) control is accommodated


This new standard is effective immediately. The phase-in period from the old standard will depend on the RCA (Road Controlling Authority – i.e. council) and/or asset owner.


Note also, the upgrade of the sister standard AS/NZS 1158.1.1:2020 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Vehicular area (Category V) lighting – Performance and design is well advanced with publication expected in the next few months.


Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about this new standard or exterior lighting solutions.




18th March 2020

COVID-19 Update


Over the last week or two, you have probably been inundated with emails and information about COVID-19 and how different businesses are responding to it. Therefore, we will keep our updated on the topic short. There are three key things we want to share with you. 


1. Business as usual:
On the whole, it’s business as usual for us here at MHL.

2. Product supply:
Product supply is currently NOT significantly impacted. However, most of our products are shipped on passenger planes, and with many airlines cancelling flights, there is a risk that there might be some delays. Make sure you talk to us as early as possible about which products you might need, and we’re confident we can deliver them.

3. Meetings:
We will reduce the number of in-person meetings where possible and instead spend more time communicating with you via phone, video calls and emails. Learn more about customer support during this time here.

As you can see, none of this is likely to lead to any significant disruptions to our business or yours. As the situation evolves, we will monitor any recommendations the government and other experts make closely and will adjust our strategy as needed. If anything develops that will potentially impact you, we will communicate that right away. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

COVID-19 Update


Over the last week or two, you have probably been inundated with emails and information about COVID-19 and how different businesses are responding to it. Therefore, we will keep our updated on the topic short. There are three key things we want to share with you. 


1. Business as usual:
On the whole, it’s business as usual for us here at MHL.

2. Product supply:
Product supply is currently NOT significantly impacted. However, most of our products are shipped on passenger planes, and with many airlines cancelling flights, there is a risk that there might be some delays. Make sure you talk to us as early as possible about which products you might need, and we’re confident we can deliver them.

3. Meetings:
We will reduce the number of in-person meetings where possible and instead spend more time communicating with you via phone, video calls and emails. Learn more about customer support during this time here.

As you can see, none of this is likely to lead to any significant disruptions to our business or yours. As the situation evolves, we will monitor any recommendations the government and other experts make closely and will adjust our strategy as needed. If anything develops that will potentially impact you, we will communicate that right away. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

22nd July 2019

LED Life

LEDs are not all created equal and there still seems to be confusion in the market in respect of how to determine the performance and life of different LED luminaires.  We thought we’d help shed some light on this by sharing some valuable insights and resources​ on LED Life.



Unios Universal Light – Edition 2


Unios have just released the 2nd edition of this educational journal.  Among the many interesting articles is the lead story titled ‘The Meaning of LED Life’ written by our own MHL National Product Manager, Mark Kirkham. In this article, Mark provides guidance on assessing the long-term performance of LED products. Use the links below to learn more





‘TO B OR NOT TO B’ … that is the question’!


Leading on from the above is the evolution of the metrics used to define LED life.  It seems as if the ‘B’ metric may be on the way out, or is it? The following information might help to answer that question.


There remains confusion and debate in the market with respect to life metrics for LED luminaires. So let’s take a closer look at the two options; L-Metric and B-Metric.



‘L’ Metric


The primary life metric has always been, and remains, the ‘L’ metric. Per IEC 62722, the ‘L’ metric quantifies the luminous flux degradation after a certain period of time.


  • Lx where ‘x’ denotes the predicted percentage of the initial luminous flux of 50% of the LED population (median) after a certain period of time
    • For example: L70 50,000hrs – luminous flux output of 50% of the LED population (median) has reduced to 70% of initial after 50,000 hrs operation
  • IEC defines this as ‘Median Useful Life’
  • This is effectively Lx B50  if the B Metric (below) was to be included


‘B’ Metric


The IEC has also introduced a second ‘B’ metric in an attempt to further define the ‘L’ metric. 


  • Lx By where ‘y’ denotes an alternative proportion of the LED population at which the luminous flux has degraded after a certain period of time
    • For example: L70 B10 50,000hrs – luminous flux output when only the first 10% of the LED population has reduced to 70% of initial after 50,000 hrs operation

    Whilst IEC 62722-2-1 defines this By, it does not prescribe how this is derived.  In the absence of this, there is a wide variation in how this is assessed and corresponding inconsistency in the life claims made incorporating it. 


    Unfortunately, there has been no consistency across manufacturers in the way life predictions are reported. Many manufacturers only provide ‘L’ metrics (ie: no B metric).  As noted above, in the absence of the second ‘B’ metric these are deemed to be ‘B50’. Many other manufacturers only quote life at other ‘B’ values … ‘B10’ being the most common. This inconsistency creates confusion and prevents accurate performance comparisons between products.



    Lighting Europe: Evaluating performance of LED based luminaires – Guidance Paper


    Lighting Europe is an industry association that represents the European lighting industry. With over 1000 members, including many of the larger lighting manufacturers (including TRILUX), Lighting Europe’s aim is to advocate and influence European lighting policies and standards.


    Lighting Europe has recently released a report to provide guidance in the evaluation of the performance of LED luminaires.


    Until recently, many people have believed there to be a large difference in life hours at different B values. It is therefore very interesting to see this guide has concluded there is actually no statistically relevant difference between Lx B50 & Lx B10 figures. On the basis of this, many manufacturers are reverting to reporting lifetimes without a B metric.


    We believe this is a great step forward as it will simplify performance reporting and provide a common basis upon which real apples-for-apples performance comparisons can be made.


    Note, this guidance paper is not a standard but does however represent the collective belief of the 1000+ lighting manufacturer members of Lighting Europe. It is quite likely the findings from this will be incorporated into IEC standards in the future. 


LED Life

LEDs are not all created equal and there still seems to be confusion in the market in respect of how to determine the performance and life of different LED luminaires.  We thought we’d help shed some light on this by sharing some valuable insights and resources​ on LED Life.



Unios Universal Light – Edition 2


Unios have just released the 2nd edition of this educational journal.  Among the many interesting articles is the lead story titled ‘The Meaning of LED Life’ written by our own MHL National Product Manager, Mark Kirkham. In this article, Mark provides guidance on assessing the long-term performance of LED products. Use the links below to learn more





‘TO B OR NOT TO B’ … that is the question’!


Leading on from the above is the evolution of the metrics used to define LED life.  It seems as if the ‘B’ metric may be on the way out, or is it? The following information might help to answer that question.


There remains confusion and debate in the market with respect to life metrics for LED luminaires. So let’s take a closer look at the two options; L-Metric and B-Metric.



‘L’ Metric


The primary life metric has always been, and remains, the ‘L’ metric. Per IEC 62722, the ‘L’ metric quantifies the luminous flux degradation after a certain period of time.


  • Lx where ‘x’ denotes the predicted percentage of the initial luminous flux of 50% of the LED population (median) after a certain period of time
    • For example: L70 50,000hrs – luminous flux output of 50% of the LED population (median) has reduced to 70% of initial after 50,000 hrs operation
  • IEC defines this as ‘Median Useful Life’
  • This is effectively Lx B50  if the B Metric (below) was to be included


‘B’ Metric


The IEC has also introduced a second ‘B’ metric in an attempt to further define the ‘L’ metric. 


  • Lx By where ‘y’ denotes an alternative proportion of the LED population at which the luminous flux has degraded after a certain period of time
    • For example: L70 B10 50,000hrs – luminous flux output when only the first 10% of the LED population has reduced to 70% of initial after 50,000 hrs operation

    Whilst IEC 62722-2-1 defines this By, it does not prescribe how this is derived.  In the absence of this, there is a wide variation in how this is assessed and corresponding inconsistency in the life claims made incorporating it. 


    Unfortunately, there has been no consistency across manufacturers in the way life predictions are reported. Many manufacturers only provide ‘L’ metrics (ie: no B metric).  As noted above, in the absence of the second ‘B’ metric these are deemed to be ‘B50’. Many other manufacturers only quote life at other ‘B’ values … ‘B10’ being the most common. This inconsistency creates confusion and prevents accurate performance comparisons between products.



    Lighting Europe: Evaluating performance of LED based luminaires – Guidance Paper


    Lighting Europe is an industry association that represents the European lighting industry. With over 1000 members, including many of the larger lighting manufacturers (including TRILUX), Lighting Europe’s aim is to advocate and influence European lighting policies and standards.


    Lighting Europe has recently released a report to provide guidance in the evaluation of the performance of LED luminaires.


    Until recently, many people have believed there to be a large difference in life hours at different B values. It is therefore very interesting to see this guide has concluded there is actually no statistically relevant difference between Lx B50 & Lx B10 figures. On the basis of this, many manufacturers are reverting to reporting lifetimes without a B metric.


    We believe this is a great step forward as it will simplify performance reporting and provide a common basis upon which real apples-for-apples performance comparisons can be made.


    Note, this guidance paper is not a standard but does however represent the collective belief of the 1000+ lighting manufacturer members of Lighting Europe. It is quite likely the findings from this will be incorporated into IEC standards in the future. 


22nd July 2019

TRILUX Roadshow & New Products


MHL were excited to host our German friends in June for a national roadshow. Manfred Jander, TRILUX’s Export Manager for our region, visited us for nine days covering Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch.


The roadshow launched two exciting new TRILUX product ranges, the E-Line NEXT which is the evolution of the already very successful E-Line linear range and Sonnos, a new comprehensive range of downlights with over 70,000 permutations!



TRILUX E-Line NEXT



E-Line Next, a trunking based linear lighting system, boasts an industry-leading 190 lumens (delivered) / watt (input) and 15 optics which gives incredible flexibility for multiple applications. 

Some of the other highlights include:

  • 3 trunking options
  • 230,000+ permutations
  • L80 70,000 hr life




TRILUX Sonnos



The Sonnos range also impressed and has been designed to mimic natural daylight, hence the name taken from the German word for sun ‘Sonne’. Sonnos is perfect for a wide range of commercial and institutional applications where quality of light and flexibility are critical.

Some of the other highlights include:

  • Round or square in 4 sizes
  • Trimmed, trimless, surface and suspended mounting options 
  • 70,000+ possible permutations
  • L90 50,000 hr / L80 70,000 hr life




Overall, the roadshow was a huge success and the new products were very well received. And we gave our German guest some good ‘ol kiwi hospitality with a round of golf and a wine or two. We’re already looking forward to his next trip in November 2020.

TRILUX Roadshow & New Products


MHL were excited to host our German friends in June for a national roadshow. Manfred Jander, TRILUX’s Export Manager for our region, visited us for nine days covering Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch.


The roadshow launched two exciting new TRILUX product ranges, the E-Line NEXT which is the evolution of the already very successful E-Line linear range and Sonnos, a new comprehensive range of downlights with over 70,000 permutations!



TRILUX E-Line NEXT



E-Line Next, a trunking based linear lighting system, boasts an industry-leading 190 lumens (delivered) / watt (input) and 15 optics which gives incredible flexibility for multiple applications. 

Some of the other highlights include:

  • 3 trunking options
  • 230,000+ permutations
  • L80 70,000 hr life




TRILUX Sonnos



The Sonnos range also impressed and has been designed to mimic natural daylight, hence the name taken from the German word for sun ‘Sonne’. Sonnos is perfect for a wide range of commercial and institutional applications where quality of light and flexibility are critical.

Some of the other highlights include:

  • Round or square in 4 sizes
  • Trimmed, trimless, surface and suspended mounting options 
  • 70,000+ possible permutations
  • L90 50,000 hr / L80 70,000 hr life




Overall, the roadshow was a huge success and the new products were very well received. And we gave our German guest some good ‘ol kiwi hospitality with a round of golf and a wine or two. We’re already looking forward to his next trip in November 2020.

19th January 2017

WE-EF joins Fagerhult Group – MHL to continue as NZ Distributor

WE-EF joins Fagerhult Group               

As you might have heard, leading German lighting manufacturer WE-EF has announced that they will join the Stockholm based Fagerhult Group.

As WE-EF products are very well known in NZ, we wanted to give you an update on what this acquisition means for WE-EF in New Zealand. In short, nothing changes.

 

MHL will continue to be the New Zealand Distributor for WE-EF products. Ian Cerfontyne, Managing Director WE-EF LIGHTING Australia/New Zealand confirms “Management of WE-EF Australia/New Zealand will continue as it is today, with the sales structure remaining as it is currently. With reference to WE-EF’s use of the current Fagerhult distribution network it is important to clarify: this is explicit to those markets where WE-EF does not have its own businesses or sales networks.”

 

In fact, the acquisition is likely to have a positive impact for both MHL and you, our customers. Fagerhult’s global network and extensive resources for product development will open up new opportunities for the brand while the existing WE-EF team and partner network will ensure consistency and continuously high quality products and services. As Ian says: Fagerhult are seen as the perfect partner for us, they are very much a ‘buy and leave alone’ acquisition business, whilst at the same time being a global player with considerable resources for growth and product development.”

For us, this is great news to start the year with and we are looking forward to seeing exciting new products and technology from the newly strengthened WE-EF.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this or would like to discuss your next lighting project with us.

 

All the Best

Mark Herring & The MHL Team.

WE-EF joins Fagerhult Group – MHL to continue as NZ Distributor

WE-EF joins Fagerhult Group               

As you might have heard, leading German lighting manufacturer WE-EF has announced that they will join the Stockholm based Fagerhult Group.

As WE-EF products are very well known in NZ, we wanted to give you an update on what this acquisition means for WE-EF in New Zealand. In short, nothing changes.

 

MHL will continue to be the New Zealand Distributor for WE-EF products. Ian Cerfontyne, Managing Director WE-EF LIGHTING Australia/New Zealand confirms “Management of WE-EF Australia/New Zealand will continue as it is today, with the sales structure remaining as it is currently. With reference to WE-EF’s use of the current Fagerhult distribution network it is important to clarify: this is explicit to those markets where WE-EF does not have its own businesses or sales networks.”

 

In fact, the acquisition is likely to have a positive impact for both MHL and you, our customers. Fagerhult’s global network and extensive resources for product development will open up new opportunities for the brand while the existing WE-EF team and partner network will ensure consistency and continuously high quality products and services. As Ian says: Fagerhult are seen as the perfect partner for us, they are very much a ‘buy and leave alone’ acquisition business, whilst at the same time being a global player with considerable resources for growth and product development.”

For us, this is great news to start the year with and we are looking forward to seeing exciting new products and technology from the newly strengthened WE-EF.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this or would like to discuss your next lighting project with us.

 

All the Best

Mark Herring & The MHL Team.