Power guzzlers decommissioned, CO2 emissions reduced
Back in 2015, an energy audit revealed a high potential for savings in the area of lighting. All warehouses were illuminated with outdated mercury vapor lamps - real power guzzlers with high maintenance costs. "Lighting accounted for more than half of the electricity consumption at the Darmstadt site. The CO2 emissions associated with the lighting were in no way in line with our company's understanding of the environment," explains Hofmann.
A switch to modern, energy-saving LED lighting was unavoidable for BuchPartner GmbH - especially as there was also a need for optimization in terms of lighting quality and occupational safety. Mercury vapor lamps get dusty very quickly and lose a lot of brightness over time. As a result, it was very dark in many places between the long, up to nine-meter-high rows of shelves. "In some places, you could barely read what was written on a sheet of paper," Hofmann recalls: "As cherry pickers with tine forks are constantly in use in the halls, we didn't want to take any risks in terms of occupational safety."

LED industrial ceiling spotlights bring light into the dark
BuchPartner GmbH initially tested various LED products from different manufacturers - but was unable to find a satisfactory solution. "It was only with Deutsche Lichtmiete that we were convinced by the quality of the illumination," says Hofmann. "Although the new LED luminaires hang at a height of nine meters, we now achieve an average illuminance of 170 lux," says Hofmann. This value is even higher than the 150 lux required for this environment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. All LED luminaires used by Deutsche Lichtmiete - in the case of BuchPartner, these are LED industrial hall spotlights - are manufactured in the company's own factory in Oldenburg. This has a decisive advantage: Deutsche Lichtmiete can influence the quality and service life of the luminaires. And this is a top priority for lighting rental companies. "A service life of up to 150,000 hours is possible with our luminaires," explains Marco Hahn, Head of Marketing and Online Strategy at Deutsche Lichtmiete.

An aspect that is also of great importance to BuchPartner. In the past, the regular need to replace the mercury vapor lamps not only caused enormous costs, but also repeatedly led to restrictions in production processes. "A cherry picker and three employees were constantly blocked. One driver, one employee downstairs, one upstairs," says Hofmann: "The aisle was also blocked as a result." A problem that is now history with the new LED luminaires - especially as all maintenance and services are included in Deutsche Lichtmiete's rental concept.

Modernization without investment
BuchPartner GmbH did not have to make any investment for the modernization of its lighting and the comprehensive service package. The rental concept eliminates all acquisition costs. "This means that our customers benefit from a considerable reduction in overall lighting costs from the very first month," says Hahn. This is usually between 15 and 35 percent after deduction of the rental payments. "Despite the introduction of two-shift operation, we were even able to reduce our lighting costs," confirms Swen Hofmann. Hofmann is particularly pleased that the new lighting has also been so well received by his employees. "The working atmosphere is now much better, especially in the evenings," says Hofmann. BuchPartner plans to make further improvements to the lighting at the Darmstadt site by the end of the year. "Modernizing the lighting offers a great opportunity to reduce costs and do something for the environment at the same time," says Hofmann.