Just Lamps switches on to replacement offering

Lamp distributor expands with spin-off firm joining the compatible lighting market

Projector lamp distributor Just Lamps has raised its game in the growing alternative lamp market.
A battle, similar to the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD format war, began earlier this year in the UK with the introduction of compatible lamps from Taiwanese vendor APO through distributor Hotlamps. Just Lamps launched its own replacement lamp range called Diamond Lamps, which the distributor has now turned into a separate company.
Dave Bethell, managing director of Just Lamps, told CRN: “We decided that Just Lamps should stick to being a distributor and we formed a new company ­ Diamond Lamps ­ to solely focus on manufacturing replacement lamps. Diamond Lamps is a global entity based in Singapore. We are in the process of deciding on a management structure for the new company.”
While Just Lamps is currently the only distributor for the Diamond range, in time Bethell believes it may be opened up to other distributors.
The replacement range from Diamond now covers 500 projector models ­ current and obsolete ­ up on its original 100 models.
Worldwide, there are seven original bulb manufacturers, with Philips and Osram covering about 70 per cent of the market.
“We are now authorised by both Philips and Osram to manufacture replacement projector lamp modules using genuine Philips and Osram lamps,” explained Bethell.
David Weatherhead, business manager at distributor Hotlamps, welcomed the addition of Just Lamps’ new offerings.
“I expect more distributors to be selling compatible projector lamps in the near future,” he said.
Hotlamps’ APO deal lifts reseller fortunes