Plant Applications: LED case lighting system improves safety, efficiency for wholesale club

February 1, 2011

Situation

BJ’s Wholesale Club, with headquarters in Natick, Mass., is a wholesale club with 189 locations in 15 states. The club sells groceries, meats, clothing, jewelry, office supplies, and other items at wholesale prices.

The company’s refrigerated cases used a fluorescent lighting system with factory lenses that were easily broken during restocking and difficult to replace. In an effort to improve safety and efficiency, the company decided to explore alternatives to the fluorescent lighting.

Resolution

Product designers from International Light Technologies, a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of lighting products and equipment, went into BJ’s Clubs and observed how the cases were used, loaded, and maintained. ILT then worked with BJ’s energy department and club installers to create an LED-based refrigeration case lighting system.

The lighting system, installed in 68 of the BJ’s locations in 2010, provides uniform light distribution across all shelves without glare. They consume less energy, require less maintenance, and eliminate the mercury disposal issues associated with fluorescent lighting.

Aluminum construction and a low profile protect the LEDs and drivers, leaving no exposed lenses to crack or break.

International Light Technologies, 10 Technology Drive, Peabody, MA 01960, 978-818-6181, www.intl-lighttech.com