CW Lighting
CW Lighting is a Houston-based manufacturer's representative agency distributing architectural, decorative, industrial, and roadway lighting products from 30+ manufacturers, with specialized specification, contractor, and controls-support sales divisions serving architects, designers, contractors, and distributors in the Houston metro area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CW Lighting does
CW Lighting is a Houston, Texas-based manufacturer's representative agency that distributes architectural, commercial, decorative, industrial, and roadway lighting products on behalf of more than 30 manufacturers, including Philips, Color Kinetics, ETC, Watt Stopper, Signify-Interact, Lightolier, Axis Lighting, Beta Calco, Foscarini, Vibia, DCW Editions, Lodes, and Axolight. The firm operates six specialized sales divisions — Contractor/Distributor Sales, Controls/Technical Support, Industrial/Roadway Sales, Inside Sales, Quotations, and Specification Sales — staffed by approximately 40 personnel including four named partners (Dennis Congdon, Michelle Holman, Jerry Sacra, Tony Ovelgonne).
The company's core offering is specification-driven lighting distribution combined with technical support services. Specification sales professionals assist architects and designers with layouts, detail drawings, and sequences of operation during project design, while a field service team provides commissioning and start-up support for lighting control systems from ETC, Watt Stopper, Encelium, and Signify-Interact. CW Lighting has built a dedicated IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) compliance practice, prominently marketed around the City of Houston's January 2, 2024 code adoption. A project gallery and educational blog covering industry events, sustainability, and Dark Sky compliance support demand-generation efforts across the architecture, design, and contracting communities.
CW Lighting generates revenue through manufacturer sales commissions on represented product lines, with project-based, quote-based pricing managed through its sales teams and distribution channels. Customers include architects, designers, contractors, and distributors in the Houston metropolitan area across commercial, education, industrial, and municipal end-markets. The firm is privately held, partner-managed, and operates from a single headquarters at 7701 West Little York Rd, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77040.
CW Lighting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CW Lighting
- Legal name
- CW Lighting
- Website
- https://cwlighting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CW Lighting is a Houston-based manufacturer's representative agency distributing architectural, decorative, industrial, and roadway lighting products from 30+ manufacturers, with specialized specification, contractor, and controls-support sales divisions serving architects, designers, contractors, and distributors in the Houston metro area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CW Lighting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Lighting Distribution
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial & Industrial Lighting Retail (High Bay, Troffers, Warehouse) (CRAIAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI), Lighting Design Services (BPAHAKAJ), Outdoor & Area Lighting (Street, Roadway, Parking, Flood, Sports/Architectural exterior) (IMAGAIAB)
Keywords
Where CW Lighting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CW Lighting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Manufacturer Representation and Sales Commissions: Operates as a manufacturer's representative agency earning commissions on sales of lighting products and controls through their network of contractors, distributors, and specification customers.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
CW Lighting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CW Lighting is a Houston-based manufacturer's representative agency that distributes commercial and architectural lighting products, lighting controls, and related services from 30+ lighting manufacturers to contractors, distributors, architects, designers, and industrial/roadway customers. The firm provides specification sales support, layout and detail drawings, field service/commissioning for lighting control systems, and guidance on energy code compliance (IECC).
Product overview
CW Lighting is a lighting agency/distributor based in Houston, TX, representing multiple lighting manufacturers. The company provides architectural and commercial lighting fixtures across various categories including decorative, landscape, outdoor, medical, educational, and wellness lighting. Their core offerings include lighting products from manufacturers such as Axis Lighting, Beta Calco, Color Kinetics, Lightolier, Philips, and others, along with lighting controls and entertainment solutions from brands like ETC, Watt Stopper, Encelium, and Signify Interact. The company also offers field service support for installed systems and code compliance guidance for IECC energy codes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Multi-Manufacturer Lighting Product Distribution Authorized distribution of commercial and architectural lighting fixtures from 30+ manufacturers across categories including decorative, landscape, outdoor, medical, educational, and wellness lighting. Targeted at contractors, distributors, architects, and designers in the Houston metropolitan area.
- Lighting Controls Systems Distribution Distribution and support for lighting control systems from brands including ETC, Watt Stopper, Encelium, and Signify Interact, with technical support and integration services. Targeted at contractors, architects, and designers implementing lighting control solutions.
- Specification Sales Services Specialized specification sales support for architects and designers, including lighting layouts, photometric specifications, detail drawings, and sequence of operations documentation. Targeted at architects and lighting designers working on commercial construction and renovation projects.
- Lighting Controls Field Service & Commissioning Field service and commissioning support for installed lighting control systems, including startup, programming, and technical support across Color Kinetics, ETC, Watt Stopper, and ILC platforms. Targeted at contractors and end customers requiring post-installation support.
- IECC Energy Code Compliance Consulting Expert guidance and tools for International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) compliance, including Watt Stopper's code compliance guides and training resources aligned with City of Houston adoption effective January 2, 2024. Targeted at architects, designers, contractors, and developers needing to meet energy code requirements.
Companies that use CW Lighting
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CW Lighting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CW Lighting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PhilipscorePhilips is one of the major manufacturer partners represented by CW Lighting, providing a wide range of commercial and residential lighting products and LED solutions.
- Color KineticscoreColor Kinetics is an essential partner for architectural and entertainment lighting solutions, specializing in LED lighting systems with color-changing capabilities and smart lighting controls.
- ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls)coreETC is a key lighting controls partner with dedicated start-up request forms, technical support resources, and service capabilities through CW Lighting's field service team.
- Watt StoppercoreWatt Stopper provides energy code compliance solutions including IECC 2021 quick guides and lighting control products, with training and start-up request capabilities through CW Lighting.
- EnceliumminorEncelium offers lighting management systems with CAD/design tools and commissioning support through CW Lighting's service capabilities.
- Signify - InteractminorSignify Interact provides connected lighting solutions and IoT platforms with start-up request forms and CAD/design tools available through CW Lighting.
- LightolierminorLightolier is a manufacturer partner specializing in architectural lighting with educational resources and design tools available through CW Lighting.
- Axis LightingminorAxis Lighting is represented by CW Lighting for specification-grade architectural lighting products.
- Beta CalcominorBeta Calco provides architectural lighting solutions featured in CW Lighting's gallery and product offerings.
- FoscariniminorItalian decorative lighting manufacturer featured in CW Lighting's decorative lighting blog content and manufacturer portfolio.
- Vibia LightingminorSpanish lighting manufacturer represented by CW Lighting for high-end architectural and decorative lighting solutions.
- DCW EditionsminorFrench manufacturer of timeless decorative lighting objects featured in CW Lighting's decorative lighting content.
- LodesminorItalian lighting manufacturer specializing in contemporary design and Made in Italy products represented by CW Lighting.
- AxolightminorItalian manufacturer of high-end decorative lamps and modular ceiling/suspension lamps represented by CW Lighting.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CW Lighting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Acuity Brands: One of the largest North American lighting and building solutions manufacturers, owning brands such as Lithonia Lighting, Gotham, and nLight. Several Acuity products flow through CW Lighting's distribution channel, making it both a partner and a competitive incumbent in the controls and architectural lighting space.
- Hubbell Lighting: Major US lighting manufacturer (Prescolite, Columbia Lighting, Litecontrol) competing in the same commercial and architectural lighting categories that CW Lighting represents. Represents both a competitive overlap and a potential partner line for a rep agency.
- Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting leader and parent of Philips Lighting and Color Kinetics — two of CW Lighting's core manufacturer partners. Operates a hybrid model of direct sales, distribution, and rep agencies that competes with and depends on firms like CW Lighting across the US.
- Cooper Lighting Solutions (Eaton): Eaton's lighting division and one of the largest North American architectural and commercial lighting manufacturers (Halo, Metalux, McGraw-Edison). Represents both a potential represented line and a competitive incumbent at the manufacturer level.
- Sonepar: World's largest electrical distributor with significant US presence through brands like Cooper Electric and National Electrical Supply. Operates in the same commercial lighting and controls distribution channel that CW Lighting's rep agency feeds into.
- Graybar: One of the largest North American electrical, lighting, and communications distributors. Overlaps with CW Lighting on commercial lighting and controls distribution but operates a national footprint, owns inventory, and serves a much broader contractor base across multiple product categories.
- Border States Electric: Employee-owned US electrical distribution company serving contractor, industrial, and commercial customers. Operates in overlapping commercial lighting and controls channels and competes for the same regional contractor relationships CW Lighting serves in Texas.
- Rexel: Global electrical distribution group with a substantial US lighting and controls business. Competes with CW at the distribution layer for commercial lighting projects and offers contractor-facing programs that intersect with CW's manufacturer representation model.
Regional players
- Vistar (lighting rep firm): Regional lighting manufacturer's representative agency with comparable multi-line representation, specification sales, and controls integration services. Closely mirrors CW Lighting's rep-agency business model in a different regional market, making it a strong functional peer.
Direct peers
- Wiedenbach-Brown: Texas-headquartered lighting and controls manufacturer's representative agency serving the same Houston/South Central regional market as CW Lighting with a comparable multi-line, specification-driven go-to-market model. The closest direct peer in terms of business model and geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CW Lighting social profiles
Digital presenceCW Lighting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CW Lighting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CW Lighting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CW Lighting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CW Lighting
What does CW Lighting do?
CW Lighting is a Houston-based manufacturer's representative agency that distributes commercial and architectural lighting products, lighting controls, and related services from 30+ lighting manufacturers to contractors, distributors, architects, designers, and industrial/roadway customers. The firm provides specification sales support, layout and detail drawings, field service/commissioning for lighting control systems, and guidance on energy code compliance (IECC).
Is CW Lighting a public or private company?
CW Lighting is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CW Lighting founded?
CW Lighting was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CW Lighting based?
CW Lighting is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does CW Lighting make money?
One revenue line is on record: manufacturer Representation and Sales Commissions.
Who are CW Lighting's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Acuity Brands, Hubbell Lighting, Signify (Philips Lighting), Cooper Lighting Solutions (Eaton), Sonepar, Graybar, Border States Electric and Rexel. Vistar (lighting rep firm) is listed as a regional player. Wiedenbach-Brown is listed as a direct peer.
Does CW Lighting have an API?
No public API is recorded for CW Lighting.
What industry is CW Lighting in?
CW Lighting's product category is Commercial Lighting Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAHAG, Commercial & Industrial Lighting Retail (High Bay, Troffers, Warehouse), with a secondary code of IMAGAIAI, Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting). Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3640.