DURHAM, N.C., June 12, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq:CREE), a leader in LED solid-state lighting components, today announced that its award-winning XLamp(r) XR-E LEDs provide the light foundation for a new line of high-performance outdoor lighting fixtures, THE EDGE(tm) by Beta LED(tm). THE EDGE line of LED luminaires is designed for street, parking lot, parking garage, walkway and building-mounted applications.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3828
"THE EDGE line sets new performance standards for outdoor LED lighting fixtures," noted Al Ruud, founder and president of Beta LED, a division of Beta Lighting. "We knew that to produce the best LED fixtures we had to start with the right LED. We were looking for high brightness, efficiency, reliability, color stability and high-volume production," Ruud stated. "We chose Cree XLamp LEDs for this innovative new line because of their commitment to producing the highest-performing LEDs in the industry." Ruud added, "Robustness and reliability are also important issues for us. We have tested THE EDGE fixtures in extremely hot, cold and humid environments with zero failures."
"Beta LED has shown what can be achieved when you leverage the multiple benefits of the industry-leading XLamp LED technology into an optimized system. The result, as demonstrated by the new Beta LED products, is a product of extraordinary performance and quality," said Norbert Hiller, Cree vice president and general manager for lighting LEDs. "We are delighted Beta LED chose the Cree XR-E LED for their new, breakthrough product line."
For additional information on Beta LED and THE EDGE lighting systems, visit www.BetaLED.com or call 800-236-6800.
For additional information on Cree LEDs call 919-313-5300 or visit www.cree.com.
About Beta LED
Beta Lighting was founded in 1992 as the architectural, rep-marketed division of Ruud Lighting, Inc. (founded in 1982). Founder and president Alan J. Ruud, P.E. recognized a need in the marketplace for a line of competitively priced, high-quality, outdoor and indoor luminaries with excellent optical design and performance that could be sold through a rep-based sales network.
Beta Lighting and the new Beta LED products are specified throughout the United States and are available through authorized representatives.
About Cree, Inc.
Cree is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors and devices that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance and efficiency. Key to Cree's market advantage is its world-class materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for chips and packaged devices that can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less heat than other available technologies, materials and products.
Cree drives its increased performance technology into multiple applications, including exciting alternatives in brighter and more-tunable light for general illumination, backlighting for more-vivid displays, optimized power management for high-current, switch-mode power supplies and variable-speed motors, and more-effective wireless infrastructure for data and voice communications. Cree customers range from innovative lighting-fixture makers to defense-related federal agencies.
Cree's product families include blue and green LED chips, lighting LEDs, LED backlighting solutions, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. For additional product specifications please refer to www.cree.com.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, such as the risk that actual performance may vary depending on installation parameters; the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our products; the risk we may be unable to manufacture products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render our products obsolete; the potential lack of customer acceptance for the products; variations in demand for Cree's products and its customers' products; and other factors discussed in Cree's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2006, and subsequent filings.
Cree and XLamp are registered trademarks of Cree, Inc. Beta LED and THE EDGE are trademarks of Ruud Lighting, Inc.
