Chesapeake Lighting

What Chesapeake Lighting does

Chesapeake Lighting is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1978, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, and serving the Baltimore-Washington DC metropolitan area. The company represents 107 lighting and controls manufacturers, offering a portfolio of over 8,882 commercial and industrial lighting products spanning architectural LED fixtures, exterior and site lighting, high-bay fixtures, and advanced lighting controls systems utilizing protocols such as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and IR. The firm maintains a 50+ person team organized into specialized departments including Agency Principals, Specification Sales, Energy Sales, Lighting Controls, Project Management, Project Sales, and Stock Sales, with credentials including LC, WELL AP, and CLCP certifications.

Chesapeake Lighting earns revenue on a commission-based sales representation model, supporting manufacturer partner sales to electrical distributors, electrical contractors, architects, and design professionals. The company does not sell products directly to end customers; instead, it provides technical and specification services including plan/specification analysis, quantity takeoffs, vendor coordination, bid preparation, and RFI submissions, supplemented by a DC showroom (1120 20th Street NW) for product demonstrations and AIA/HSW continuing education programs on circadian lighting, WELL Building Standard, and exterior lighting design. The interactive Lighting Exchange platform powers the digital line card, product catalog, and education infrastructure.

The firm is regionally concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic, with no disclosed expansion beyond the Baltimore-Washington DC market, no parent company or institutional investors, and no history of funding rounds, acquisitions, or ownership changes. Operating signals—active hiring, a growing Lighting Controls Department, the scaling Fifth Annual Trade Show (April 2026), and continued broadening of the represented manufacturer portfolio—indicate a mature, stable business with incremental rather than expansionary growth dynamics.

Name

Chesapeake Lighting

Legal name

Chesapeake Lighting

Website

https://chesapeake-lighting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chesapeake Lighting is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm, founded in 1978, that represents 107 commercial and industrial lighting and controls manufacturers across the Baltimore-Washington DC metro area, serving architects, electrical contractors, and distributors with specification support, controls commissioning, and continuing education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial and Industrial Lighting Representation (Manufacturer's Rep Agency)

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513), Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (335139)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Commercial Luminaires (High-bay, Low-bay, Troffers, Downlights) (IMAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Commercial & Industrial Lighting Retail (High Bay, Troffers, Warehouse) (CRAIAHAG), Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Commercial lighting representation
• Lighting controls systems
• Manufacturer representative services
• Lighting specification sales
• Industrial lighting distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commission-based sales representation: As a manufacturer's representative firm, Chesapeake Lighting earns commissions from the lighting manufacturers it represents. The company supports the sales process by providing technical expertise, pricing support, project estimating, and specification assistance to electrical distributors, contractors, and design professionals who ultimately purchase the manufacturers' products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Chesapeake Lighting is a manufacturer's representative firm that sells commercial and industrial lighting and lighting controls on behalf of 107 manufacturer partners across the Baltimore-Washington DC market. Its core offerings are specification sales, project pricing and estimating, lighting controls commissioning, bid preparation, distributor/contractor sales support, and continuing education (AIA/HSW courses) for architects, electrical contractors, and electrical distributors. Revenue is generated via commissions from the manufacturer partners whose products the firm specifies and moves through the channel.

Product overview

Chesapeake Lighting is a manufacturer's representative for commercial and industrial lighting and controls, established in 1978, serving the Baltimore-Washington DC area. The company represents over 107 lighting manufacturers and offers a comprehensive portfolio of lighting products including architectural LED fixtures (downlights, linears, pendants), exterior lighting (floodlights, bollards, post tops), high-bay fixtures, and advanced lighting control systems. Their featured product lines include solutions from major manufacturers such as Cooper Lighting Solutions, Boca Lighting and Controls, BlackJack Lighting, Metalux, Solais Lighting, Zumtobel, Evergreen Lighting, and others. The company also provides technical services including photometric tools, Revit files, and continuing education courses on topics like circadian lighting and the WELL Building Standard.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manufacturer's Representative Sales Services (Commercial & Industrial Lighting) Sales agency services representing 107 commercial and industrial lighting and lighting controls manufacturers in the Baltimore-Washington DC market, providing specification influence, pricing, and channel support to architects, contractors, and electrical distributors.
• Specification Sales and Lighting Design Support Pre-design and design-phase specification assistance to architects and lighting designers, including plan and specification analysis, quantity takeoffs, and vendor/manufacturer coordination for project lighting design.
• Project Estimating, Bid Preparation, and RFI Support Project estimation, blueprint review, scope review, bid preparation, and RFI submissions for electrical contractors and distributors pursuing commercial and industrial lighting jobs.
• Inside Sales Pricing and Stock Quote Management Inside sales support providing product pricing, availability, and quote responses to key distributor and contractor accounts, including maintenance and renewal of stock quotes for electrical distributors.
• Lighting Controls Commissioning and Field Service On-site commissioning, troubleshooting, and field service for installed lighting controls systems, provided by Lighting Controls Service Technicians working with sales and project management teams.
• AIA/HSW LU Continuing Education Courses Continuing education courses for architects and design professionals providing AIA/HSW LU credits, with topics including circadian lighting and the WELL Building Standard, and introduction to exterior and facade lighting, delivered via The Lighting Exchange platform.
• Lighting Exchange Interactive Line Card Digital product catalog platform with an interactive line card of 8,882+ lighting and controls products across 107 manufacturer partners, including a manufacturer search, project starter templates, and presentation library at lighting.exchange.
• Trade Shows and Showroom Events Hosted trade shows (e.g., Fifth Annual Trade Show in April 2026) and showroom/networking events such as Cocktails in the Courtyard, An Evening on the Waterfront, Exterior Lighting Showcase, and IALD Georgetown Glow participation, plus the DC Showroom at 1120 20th Street NW for product demonstration to architects and customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rapidly growing Lighting Controls Department with specialized Controls Estimators, Applications Engineers, and Field Service Technicians
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Cooper Lighting Solutions as a key manufacturer partner. Cooper Lighting Solutions brands represented include HALO, HALO Commercial, Metalux, Portfolio, Invue, WaveLinx, Fail-Safe, Kirlin Lighting, Sure-Lites, Shaper, NeoRay, PrentaLux, Ephesus Lighting, Ametrix, Ametrix, McGraw-Edison, Streetworks, Corelite, Lumark, and others.
• ZumtobelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Zumtobel, an international lighting manufacturer, as a key manufacturer partner. Zumtobel products include the LINEAR DOWNLIGHT ARRAY and other architectural lighting solutions featured in the line card.
• iO LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents iO Lighting as a manufacturer partner, featuring products such as the CoviO Architectural LED Cove Light.
• Solais LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Solais Lighting featuring products including the EZLine Linears and Lucie Nano downlight series, with a focus on modular and restaurant lighting solutions.
• Camman LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Camman Lighting, featuring in multiple project case studies including libraries, schools, and corporate spaces. Products include Mason II, Avalon Rings, Titus Pendants, and custom pendants.
• BlackJack LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents BlackJack Lighting as a manufacturer partner, featuring architectural fixtures including the Circuit Suspended pendant, BLS2 Pendant Downlight, and AERO 25" Pendant.
• Boca Lighting and ControlsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Boca Lighting and Controls featuring products including the SBL-MC Wall Washing system, NanoX-TW exterior tuneable white, and HPNLS-HO Warm Dim fixture.
• Evergreen LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Evergreen Lighting featuring the Marin post-top fixture for pedestrian and streetscape applications.
• Kurtzon LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Kurtzon Lighting, featuring vandal-resistant linear wraps and the Staging Solution Program for luminaire staging.
• SternbergmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Sternberg, which recently introduced Amber LED platforms for turtle hatchling protection and observatory applications.
• Coronet LEDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChesapeake Lighting represents Coronet LED as a manufacturer partner in its line card.
• The Lighting ExchangecoreTechnology or IntegrationChesapeake Lighting's website and interactive line card are powered by The Lighting Exchange platform (lighting.exchange), which provides the digital infrastructure for product catalogs, continuing education, and project tools.
• IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerChesapeake Lighting participates in IALD Georgetown Glow, an annual lighting design event organized by the International Association of Lighting Designers, serving as a community engagement and marketing touchpoint.
• HIPDC (Hospitality Interior Product Design Community)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerChesapeake Lighting participates in HIPDC showroom events alongside manufacturer partners Coronet LED and Narbutas, hosting events at the HIPDC showroom space in September 2025.
• Global FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChesapeake Lighting co-hosted a mini trade show (Fiesta De Mayo) at Global Furniture's showroom, demonstrating products from manufacturer partners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SESCO Lighting: Independent commercial lighting manufacturer's representative firm serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast with multi-line manufacturer representation and specification/distributor/contractor support—directly comparable to Chesapeake in business model and customer mix.
• Lighting Services Inc (LSI): Long-established independent lighting manufacturer's representative serving architectural and commercial projects in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast US. Directly comparable business model: commission-based rep representing multiple premium manufacturers with specification sales, project management, and controls support.
• Hossley Lighting & Associates: Independent lighting manufacturer's representative firm in the Mid-Atlantic/Upstate New York region. Closely comparable to Chesapeake as a regional multi-line rep serving architects, engineers, contractors, and distributors across commercial and institutional projects.
• Bill Brown Lighting: Independent lighting representative agency serving the Mid-Atlantic market. Operates with the same spec-sales-plus-distributor-support model and represents multiple architectural lighting manufacturers—directly comparable business mechanics to Chesapeake.
• Metro Lighting Services: Regional lighting manufacturer's representative providing specification, distributor, and contractor support for commercial and industrial lighting lines. Comparable in scope of manufacturer representation, customer mix, and territory-based field sales approach.
• Vantage Lighting: Multi-line lighting representative firm serving architects, designers, contractors, and distributors in the Mid-Atlantic. Comparable to Chesapeake in terms of representing premium architectural brands and providing specification and project support.
• The Light Center: Lighting manufacturer's representative firm serving the Mid-Atlantic with specification sales, distributor support, and project estimating for architectural and commercial lighting. Directly comparable in channel mix and customer segments served.

Others

• Lighting Analysts (formerly AGi32 / Lighting Technologies): Provider of lighting design and analysis software (AGi32) widely used by the same lighting design community Chesapeake serves. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant serving architects and lighting designers, rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Voss Lighting: National lighting distributor and solutions provider serving commercial, industrial, and residential customers across multiple US regions. Comparable as a competing channel for the same manufacturer brands, though broader and more vertically integrated than Chesapeake.
• Rexel USA: Large national electrical distributor with a strong lighting portfolio and dedicated lighting specialists across US markets. Comparable as a competing route to market for the same lighting brands, though far larger and broader in product mix than a regional rep.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChesapeakeLig15
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3888348/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/chesapeakelighting

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Chesapeake Lighting