Cree LED

What Cree LED does

Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand (Nasdaq: PENG), is a U.S.-based LED components manufacturer founded in 1987 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. It designs and sells application-optimized LED chips, packaged LEDs, chip-on-board (COB) arrays, and fully populated LED PCBAs (Level 2 Solutions) to lighting manufacturers serving indoor and outdoor general lighting, architectural and entertainment, horticulture, video screens and signage, automotive and emergency vehicle, and portable lighting. Its portfolio centers on three core families — XLamp (high-performance ceramic surface-mount and COB LEDs), J Series (value-tier mid-power LEDs in industry-standard 2835/3030/5050/7070 packages), and High Brightness LEDs (SMD and through-hole for displays and signage) — plus newer lines including OptiLamp pixel-intelligent LEDs, Far Red horticulture LEDs, XLamp XE-B/XE-G compact high-intensity devices, and Level 2 assembled PCBAs. Underlying technology encompasses more than 4,000 LED patents, application-tuned spectrum and packaging (Pro9, Photophyll Select, Horizon, S Line sulfur-resistance, Precision Dimming, FusionBeam, TripleBeam), and InGaN-based bare chips (EZ, SA, SR, SD).

The company operates a B2B distribution-led model with global reach across North America, Europe (including Germany and a presence demonstrated at ISE 2026 in Barcelona), Asia (including China), and Mexico. It sells standard products through authorized distributors with low-to-no minimum order quantities, while engaging larger manufacturers directly for custom L2 solutions and design assistance. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of LED components and PCBAs to OEM lighting manufacturers, supplemented by IP licensing and patent enforcement (e.g., the 2025 lawsuit against Promier Products and Tractor Supply). Cree LED was acquired by Smart Global Holdings in 2021 and now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary under the Penguin Solutions parent, which provides scale, capital, and strategic direction; the company itself runs with 101-250 employees and is led by President Joseph Clark.

Name

Cree LED

Legal name

CreeLED, Inc.

Website

https://cree-led.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand, designs and manufactures application-optimized LED chips, packaged LEDs, COB arrays, and assembled PCBAs for lighting OEMs serving general, architectural, horticulture, signage, automotive, and portable lighting markets globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LED Components

NAICS

Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (335139), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

LED Drivers, Ballasts & Power Modules for Lighting (Constant-current/voltage drivers, ballasts, control gear) (IMAGAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Area Lighting (Street, Roadway, Parking, Flood, Sports/Architectural exterior) (IMAGAIAB), Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI), Machine Vision & Inspection Lighting (Ring lights, bar lights, backlights, strobed illumination) (IMAGAIAG)

Keywords

• LED components manufacturing
• LED chip design
• High-power LEDs
• Chip-on-board LED arrays
• LED PCBA solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. LED Components and Chips: Sale of LED chips and components including XLamp, J Series, and High Brightness LED product lines to lighting manufacturers worldwide.
2. Level 2 Solutions (PCBAs): Fully populated LED printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) available directly from Cree LED, providing complete solutions from one supplier. Includes standard and custom configurations for indoor and outdoor lighting applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cree LED designs and manufactures application-optimized LED components, LED chips, and fully assembled LED PCBAs for sale to lighting manufacturers worldwide. Its portfolio spans XLamp high-performance ceramic SMD and COB LEDs, J Series mid-power value LEDs in industry-standard packages, High Brightness LEDs for video screens and signage, OptiLamp display LEDs with integrated intelligence, InGaN-based LED chips, and Level 2 (L2) assembled PCB solutions for indoor and outdoor luminaires.

Product overview

Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand, offers one of the industry's broadest portfolios of application-optimized LED chips and components. The product portfolio centers on three core LED families: XLamp® (high-performance ceramic surface-mount and COB LEDs), J Series® (mid-power value LEDs in standard packages), and High Brightness LEDs (for video screens and signage). Supporting these are Level 2 Solutions (fully assembled PCBAs), OptiLamp™ (revolutionary display LEDs with integrated intelligence), and LED Chips (InGaN-based bare chips). The XLamp family includes specialized sub-families for different applications: XD/XQ and XB for compact designs, XP/XT and XHP for high-power applications, XFL for flashlights, COB arrays for integrated lighting, and Element (XE-B/XE-G) for ultra-compact color applications. J Series covers standard packages (2016, 2835, 3030, 5050, 7070). The company holds over 4000 LED patents and pioneered the lighting-class LED.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• XLamp LEDs High-performance ceramic SMD and COB LED components for general and specialty lighting; includes XD/XQ (1.6 mm), Element (1.6x2.05 mm), XB (2.45 mm), XP/XT (3.45 mm), XM (5.0 mm), XHP (3.45/5.0/7.0 mm), XFL flashlight-optimized, COB arrays, and XN-P color platforms.
• J Series LEDs Value-oriented LED family in industry-standard package sizes (2016, 2835, 3030, 5050, 7070) delivering top-tier performance and reliability for general and specialty lighting, with global IP indemnification.
• High Brightness LEDs Surface-mount (SMD) single and multi-color LEDs, through-hole P2/P4 LEDs, and the CLY6 family for video screens, signage, architectural lighting, and specialty applications with industry-leading intensity and reliability.
• Level 2 (L2) Solutions PCBAs Fully assembled LED PCBAs available directly from Cree LED for indoor and outdoor luminaires; includes Standard L2 Array, Standard L2 Linear, and custom configurations with optional design services and product compliance support.
• LED Chips InGaN-based blue and green LED chips in EZ (top-emitter), SA (volume-emitter), SR (mid-power), and SD (vertical design) families for automotive, lighting, and specialty applications.
• OptiLamp LEDs Display-grade LEDs integrating driver and control intelligence directly into every pixel for enhanced brightness, 24-bit color control per channel, improved power efficiency, and built-in monitoring without external driver ICs.
• XLamp Element LEDs (XE-B, XE-G) Ultra-compact high-power LED family providing broad color and spectral choices; XE-B at 0.9 x 1.4 mm package and XE-G at 1.6 x 2.05 mm footprint with 17 colors and complete white options.
• XLamp XFL LEDs Flashlight-optimized high-power LEDs delivering breakthrough lumens, throw distance, and value with 90% smaller light emitting surface than competitors and more precise beam shapes for 3000-12000 lm torches, tactical flashlights, headlamps, and bike lights.
• XLamp COB LED Arrays Industry-broad portfolio of chip-on-board LED arrays on metal and ceramic substrates, including CTW (CCT-tunable), CHA (high-intensity metal), CMB, CMU (high-efficacy metal), CMA (efficacy-optimized), and CXB families.
• XLamp XP-G3 Far Red LEDs Horticulture-targeted Far Red LEDs in the 720-740 nm range for supplemental greenhouse, vertical farming, and interlighting, with 21% efficiency improvement over the prior generation and S Line durability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 60% higher intensity through secondary optics compared to standard 1x1mm LEDs with XE-B LEDs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SANlightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Cree LED and SANlight partnered to develop high-efficiency lighting solutions for horticulture applications. SANlight uses Cree LED's J Series products in its new STIXX-Series luminaires, designed for horticulture applications with high efficiency, durability, and versatility for different growing setups.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Bridgelux: US-based LED chip-on-board (COB) and solid-state lighting specialist. Bridgelux competes with Cree's XLamp COB arrays in commercial and architectural lighting applications.

Direct peers

• ams OSRAM: Global LED and opto-semiconductor manufacturer with broad portfolios in automotive, horticulture, and specialty lighting LEDs. A direct competitor to Cree's XLamp, horticulture, and high-brightness offerings.
• Stanley Electric: Japanese LED and automotive lighting specialist. Stanley competes directly with Cree LED's automotive, high-brightness, and XLamp lines for OEM design wins.
• Samsung LED: Vertically integrated LED component business competing in mid-power packages (2835, 3030) and high-power lighting. Direct competitor to Cree LED's J Series and XLamp lines.
• Nichia Corporation: Japanese pioneer and global leader in LED chip manufacturing. Nichia is the most direct peer to Cree LED, competing across general lighting, automotive, and specialty LED applications with comparable InGaN-based technology.
• LG Innotek: Korean LED and opto-component manufacturer serving automotive, mobile, and lighting markets. Competes with Cree LED particularly in automotive lighting LEDs.
• Everlight Electronics: Taiwan-based LED component manufacturer with broad portfolios in general lighting, signage, and automotive. Direct competitor across multiple Cree LED product families.
• Seoul Semiconductor: Korean LED chip and package manufacturer competing with Cree's mid-power J Series and high-power XLamp lines in general lighting, automotive, and signage.
• Lumileds: Specialist LED component and chip manufacturer serving automotive, general lighting, and specialty markets. Lumileds competes head-to-head with Cree LED's XLamp and High Brightness product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting systems leader (formerly Philips Lighting). A broad incumbent that purchases LED components and competes in finished fixtures across the same end markets Cree LED supplies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdN2-qeHDIRblprD_xJ6DpA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CreeLEDSGH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cree-led
• Instagraminstagram.com/cree_led_sgh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cree LED