CNR Lighting
CNR Lighting is a privately held, fifth-generation commercial lighting and electrical distributor based in Baltimore with a Virginia branch, serving contractors, government, education, and healthcare clients across Maryland, DC, and Virginia with lamps, luminaires, ABB switchgear, recycling, and utility rebate services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1870
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CNR Lighting does
CNR Lighting (legal entity C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply Co., Inc.) is a privately held commercial lighting and electrical distribution company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with a regional branch in Sterling, Virginia. Founded in 1870 and now in its fifth generation of family ownership under President Rob Mills, the company distributes lamps (LED, fluorescent, HID, halogen, incandescent), ballasts and LED drivers, luminaires, lighting controls, batteries, and EV chargers from hundreds of vendors including Signify (Philips), Acuity, Cooper, Lutron, and SATCO. It also operates an authorized ABB switchgear and power-distribution line covering low voltage (up to 1kV) and medium voltage (1kV to 38kV) equipment, and offers hazardous-waste recycling in partnership with Veolia Environmental Services.
The business model combines one-time product resale (lighting products, switchgear, batteries, EV chargers) with project-based professional services: utility rebate processing across six Mid-Atlantic utilities (BGE, PEPCO, Delmarva Power, SMECO, DCSEU, Potomac Edison), material takeoffs and value engineering for electrical contractors, and recycling compliance services. Go-to-market is sales-led through inside sales teams at both branches, with account executives supporting electrical contractors, construction firms, government agencies, universities, and healthcare clients from bid support through project closeout. Named enterprise customers include Montgomery County, the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins, with a broader long-tail of commercial, industrial, educational, and government accounts across Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
The company's value proposition rests on a 155-year operating history, LC-certified in-house expertise, multi-vendor catalog breadth, and full-service project support (free delivery, lighting audits, rebate filing, recycling pickup). Pricing is competitive and project-specific, with unit pricing for products and bundled service fees for rebate and recycling engagements. The company holds no disclosed external funding, has no parent organization, and operates as an independent regional distributor.
CNR Lighting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CNR Lighting
- Legal name
- C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply Co., Inc.
- Website
- https://cnrlight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1870
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CNR Lighting is a privately held, fifth-generation commercial lighting and electrical distributor based in Baltimore with a Virginia branch, serving contractors, government, education, and healthcare clients across Maryland, DC, and Virginia with lamps, luminaires, ABB switchgear, recycling, and utility rebate services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CNR Lighting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Lighting and Electrical Distribution
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513), Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing (335311)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting & Electrical Supplies for Home Distribution (CRAOAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial & Commercial Luminaires (High-bay, Low-bay, Troffers, Downlights) (IMAGAIAA), Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI), LED Drivers, Ballasts & Power Modules for Lighting (Constant-current/voltage drivers, ballasts, control gear) (IMAGAIAJ), Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA)
Keywords
Where CNR Lighting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CNR Lighting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Lighting Products Sales: Sale of lamps (LED, fluorescent, HID, halogen, incandescent), ballasts, LED drivers, luminaires, lighting controls, batteries, and EV chargers. Products sourced from hundreds of vendors including Signify (Philips), Acuity, Cooper, Lutron, SATCO, and others.
- Switchgear & Power Distribution: Sale and distribution of circuit breakers, panelboards, disconnects, transformers, switchboards, and motor control centers. As an authorized ABB distributor providing low and medium voltage equipment.
- Recycling Services: Custom-tailored recycling services for lamps, ballasts, e-waste, batteries, and other hazardous materials. Partnered with Veolia Environmental Services.
- Utility Rebate Services: Lighting audits, rebate calculations, and application filing for utility incentive programs. Participating in BGE, PEPCO, Delmarva Power, SMECO, DCSEU, and Potomac Edison programs.
- Project Management Services: Pre-construction bid support including material takeoffs, budget pricing, value engineering, lighting layouts; project execution including order management, lead time tracking, staged deliveries, and warranty handling.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Competitive project-based pricing for contractors and commercial clients |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
CNR Lighting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CNR Lighting (C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply Co., Inc.) distributes a full range of commercial lighting products including lamps, ballasts, luminaires, and lighting controls, plus switchgear and power distribution equipment as an authorized ABB distributor. The company also offers EV chargers, batteries, hazardous waste recycling services, utility rebate management, and end-to-end project support from material takeoffs through staged delivery and close-out.
Product overview
CNR Lighting (C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply) operates as a commercial lighting and electrical distribution company serving the Mid-Atlantic region. The core product portfolio centers on three main categories: Lamps (LED, fluorescent, HID, halogen, incandescent, and specialty lamps), Ballasts (LED drivers, HID, compact fluorescent, emergency, and fluorescent ballasts), and Luminaires/Fixtures (interior and exterior commercial lighting fixtures). These are complemented by Lighting Controls (sensors, dimmers, daylight harvesting), Switchgear & Power Distribution (as an authorized ABB distributor), EV Chargers, Batteries (Rayovac and Duracell), Recycling Services (through Veolia), and Utility Rebate Management. The company functions as a distributor-reseller, combining product sales with technical support, project management, and energy-efficient system design services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lamps
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% of commercial building energy consumption attributed to lighting
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CNR Lighting
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CNR Lighting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CNR Lighting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ABBcoreAs an authorized ABB distributor, CNR provides comprehensive switchgear solutions including low voltage systems up to 1kV and medium voltage equipment from 1kV to 38kV. Products include switchboards, panelboards, motor control centers, and metal-clad switchgear with competitive pricing through direct manufacturer relationships.
- Veolia Environmental ServicescorePartnership for hazardous waste recycling services. CNR has facilitated the recycling of more than 1500 tons of potentially hazardous waste since 2005 with help from Veolia.
- BGEcoreUtility rebate program partnership for instant lighting discounts and energy solutions for business including lighting, controls, and new construction.
- PEPCOcoreBusiness instant discount program and energy savings for business including lighting fixtures and controls for existing buildings.
- Delmarva PowerminorUtility rebate program partnership for energy solutions.
- SMECOminorInstant savings for business and prescriptive business solutions.
- DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)minorInstant rebates and standard lighting rebates for DC area.
- Potomac EdisonminorEnergy solutions for business program with lighting rebates.
- Signify (Philips)coreOne of the nation's largest Philips lamp distributors. Leading vendor for LED, fluorescent, and specialty lighting products.
- Acuity BrandscoreMajor lighting fixtures vendor including Lithonia Lighting and other Acuity brands.
- Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreMajor lighting fixtures vendor providing commercial and industrial lighting solutions.
- LutroncoreLighting controls vendor offering sensors, dimmers, and daylight harvesting solutions.
- Wattstopper (Legrand)minorLighting controls vendor providing sensors and controls for energy savings.
- SATCOminorLamps and specialty lighting products vendor.
- KeystoneminorLighting technology vendor for lamps and fixtures.
- RayovacminorBattery products vendor for wide variety of batteries at competitive prices.
- DuracellminorBattery products vendor offering wide variety of batteries.
- National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)minorIndustry association representing companies in the electrical distribution channel. Provides education, networking, advocacy, and research resources.
- Affiliated Distributors (AD)minorMember-owned organization bringing together independent distributors and supplier partners. #1 buying/marketing group for independent electrical distributors since 1981, spanning three countries.
- National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD)minorIndustry association for specialty lighting distributors with over 180 members. Founded 1977, focuses on increasing distributor effectiveness and profitability through educational programs.
- Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)minorProfessional society dedicated to improving the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge.
- National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professionals (NCQLP)minorNon-profit organization establishing education, experience, and examination requirements for baseline certification across lighting professions.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)minorNon-profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. Promotes green building practices through LEED certification.
- Baltimore Ravens Small Business ProgramminorSmall business partnership program providing official recognition, visibility opportunities, and connection to NFL franchise.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CNR Lighting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Graybar Electric Company: Graybar is one of North America's largest electrical, lighting, and data communications distributors, serving contractors, industrial, and institutional customers. Directly comparable as a full-line electrical and lighting distributor, though at vastly greater scale and national footprint than CNR.
- Rexel USA: Rexel operates a large U.S. electrical distribution network serving commercial, residential, and industrial customers with lighting, switchgear, and energy-efficiency solutions. Comparable business model to CNR's lighting + electrical distribution focus, but with national scale and global parent.
- Sonepar USA: Sonepar USA is a national electrical distribution company providing lighting, switchgear, and energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. Comparable in product mix (lighting, switchgear, controls) and contractor/institutional customer base, but with significantly larger geographic and product breadth.
- WESCO International: WESCO is a Fortune 500 distributor of electrical, communications, and utility products serving contractors, industrial, and government customers. Comparable as a multi-line electrical and lighting distributor with similar institutional/government and contractor exposure, at materially larger scale.
Direct peers
- Summit Electric Supply: Summit Electric Supply is an electrical distributor serving industrial, commercial, and contractor customers across the U.S. with lighting, controls, and switchgear products. Directly comparable product portfolio and contractor/institutional GTM, with overlapping government and education accounts.
- Border States Electric: Border States Electric is an employee-owned electrical distributor with branches across the central and eastern U.S., serving commercial, industrial, and utility customers with lighting and electrical products. Highly comparable regional electrical/lighting distributor model with similar customer mix to CNR.
- Revere Electric Supply: Revere Electric is a regional Midwestern electrical and lighting distributor serving commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. Comparable independent electrical distribution model, with similar mix of contractor and institutional accounts.
Emerging players
- 1000Bulbs.com: 1000Bulbs.com is a large online-only lighting retailer serving residential, commercial, and contractor customers nationwide. Comparable in core lighting products but represents the digital-native competitive threat to CNR's traditional inside-sales and walk-in distribution model.
Others
- Signify (Philips Lighting): Signify is the world's largest lighting manufacturer (Philips brand), and CNR identifies as "one of the nation's largest Philips lamp distributors." Comparable in product category; included as a principal supplier whose channel strategy directly affects CNR's positioning.
- Acuity Brands: Acuity Brands is a leading North American lighting and building solutions manufacturer whose products (Lithonia, etc.) are sold by CNR. Comparable in product category and customer base; included because it is a principal supplier and a key competitive dynamic for any independent lighting distributor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CNR Lighting social profiles
Digital presenceCNR Lighting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CNR Lighting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
CNR Lighting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CNR 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 CNR Lighting
What does CNR Lighting do?
CNR Lighting (C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply Co., Inc.) distributes a full range of commercial lighting products including lamps, ballasts, luminaires, and lighting controls, plus switchgear and power distribution equipment as an authorized ABB distributor. The company also offers EV chargers, batteries, hazardous waste recycling services, utility rebate management, and end-to-end project support from material takeoffs through staged delivery and close-out.
Is CNR Lighting a public or private company?
CNR Lighting is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was CNR Lighting founded?
CNR Lighting was founded in 1870. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CNR Lighting based?
CNR Lighting is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does CNR Lighting make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Lighting Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are switchgear & Power Distribution, recycling Services, utility Rebate Services and project Management Services.
Who are CNR Lighting's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Graybar Electric Company, Rexel USA, Sonepar USA and WESCO International. Direct peers are Summit Electric Supply, Border States Electric and Revere Electric Supply. 1000Bulbs.com is listed as an emerging player. Others are Signify (Philips Lighting) and Acuity Brands.
Does CNR Lighting have an API?
No public API is recorded for CNR Lighting.
What industry is CNR Lighting in?
CNR Lighting's product category is Commercial Lighting and Electrical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAFAG, Lighting & Electrical Supplies for Home Distribution, with a secondary code of IMAGAIAA, Industrial & Commercial Luminaires (High-bay, Low-bay, Troffers, Downlights). Its NAICS code is 33513 and its SIC code is 3640.