WAC celebrates 25th Anniversary

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK –WAC Lighting General Manager and Vice President Shelley Wang has announced that the firm is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2009. WAC Lighting is a leading manufacturer and designer of track, recessed, undercabinet, monorail and decorative lighting.

During the past 25 years, WAC Lighting has developed a stellar reputation for high quality decorative and task lighting lines. The firm’s extensive product line is supported by superlative customer service, including an unprecedented shipping record with most orders shipping within 48 hours. Most recently WAC has extended its Product Warranty to Five Years.

The firm’s roots date back to 1984 when WAC Lighting was founded by Mr. Tony Wang, and his wife, Tai Wang, in Forest Hills, New York. At the beginning, the firm marketed portable lamps at a variety of trade shows across the United States. As the company grew, the firm moved its main offices to College Point, New York in April of 1985.

As its line evolved, WAC began to introduce track fixtures and recessed trims and housings.. The firm gradually shifted into the task lighting segment of the industry.

In January of 1993, the firm developed a national sales force and began a string of a dozen consecutive years of 20 percent annual increases. The firm opened a showroom in the Dallas Market Center and became a major supplier of track and recessed lighting.

In 1994, the firm produced and distributed its very first comprehensive bound catalog, introducing a complete line of low voltage tracks and track fixtures, as well as recessed trims and housings.

During the summer of 1997, the firm branched out to the western region of the US to better service its distributors. WAC Lighting opened west coast offices and distribution facilities in City of Industry, California, just outside of Los Angeles. During that same year, Ernst & Young and Chase Manhattan Bank nominated Co-Founder/President Tony Wang for Entrepreneur of the Year. In June the firm opened a 250,000 Square-Foot Facilities in Dongguan, China. Two years later the manufacturing facility achieved ISO-9001 Certification Status, ensuring top quality products, manufacturing and operations.

During the following summer (1998), the firm relocated its corporate headquarters to 615 South Street in Garden City, New York, where its main offices remain today. Last year (2008), WAC doubled the size of its corporate offices and east coast distribution center to meet current demands.

At the 1999 International Winter Lighting Market, WAC moved to a new showroom in the Dallas Market Center on the third floor of The Trade Mart. The showroom offers over 2,000 square feet of display space for the firm’s ever-expanding product line.

In 2002, WAC relocated its west coast offices and distribution center to a larger facility in City of Industry, Calif. (Los Angeles).

In 2004 Shelley Wang, daughter of Tony and Tai Wang, would join the firm. Two years later, Ms. Wang would be appointed to General Manager and today serves as both GM and VP of the company. During that year, WAC continued to compile a large number of accolades and honors including ADEX Awards for its Low Voltage Monorail System and Quick Connect Pendants. The ADEX is an Award for Design Excellence, presented by Design Journal Magazine.

In 2006, WAC established W2 Architectural Lighting as a new resource of specification grade products for the commercial and specification markets. Since then, W2 created an extensive package of products and literature, as well as a North American sales force. During that same year, WAC received additional ADEX Awards for Counter Balance Adjustables, Crystal Beauty Spots and Miniature Recessed Downlights.