DELO72
Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,
This is sort of a heads up that as of this month OSRAM is intending to discontinue our Large PAR lamps. I originally planned to write a long, 3-page explanation of the history behind our decision, and explain the changes in manufacturing and the lengthy reasons behind it. But that kind of "overly-honest" letter would likely result in my upsetting lawyers or management at my company, who prefer brevity and lack of details. So I'll keep this short.
Please understand that we do not take this decision lightly, or by choice. Our hand was forced by our inability to find a factory or manufacturing partner that could consistently manufacture the lamps to our specification and quality requirements. We spent 4 years trying. Making large PAR lamps apparently IS rocket science. I say this with all seriousness because one of my colleagues in the office was formerly a process engineer at Sylvania's PAR factory in Kentucky years ago, and he has an Aerospace Engineering degree (iow- he's a rocket scientist), and he admitted that they are probably one of the hardest (if oldest) lamp types to manufacture consistently.
We've initiated a voluntary recall of all Large PAR lamps that we have had made in China since Nov. of 2016. Previous to that the PARs were all made in the USA (or AluPAR in Mexico and Germany) and those are fine.
Q: Why don't we go back to making them in the USA?
A: That factory was closed and the possibility (and machinery) no longer exists.
Q: Why don't we bring back the AluPAR?
A: When we discontinued that line a few years back, apparently the machinery was scrapped or sold off. That option also no longer exists.
Q: What do I do about my existing fixtures?
A: I wish I could tell you what to do. I honestly don't know. Perhaps look into ETC Source Four PAR fixtures? Or replace them with newer, LED fixtures? All I know is that we can't make the lamps anymore, and we have no way of bringing these kinds of lamps back to the market at this time. We wish we could. Again, this isn't a decision we chose, so much as one that was forced upon us.
Q: How do I find out more about this recall you mention above?
A: It will be posted on our website (www.osram.us) and/or you can contact us at 1-855-865-9271 or by email [email protected] for details and instructions how to participate in it.
Q: I'm really angry about this! Who can I yell at?
A: Anyone but me. I've been dealing with the frustration over these for the past 4 years now. If you think you (or your customer) are upset, try multiplying that by a factor of 10, and you'll be almost where I am.
Sincerely,
Mark
ps. Please don't use this thread to vent at me/us. I just wanted a post to try and explain the situation.
This is sort of a heads up that as of this month OSRAM is intending to discontinue our Large PAR lamps. I originally planned to write a long, 3-page explanation of the history behind our decision, and explain the changes in manufacturing and the lengthy reasons behind it. But that kind of "overly-honest" letter would likely result in my upsetting lawyers or management at my company, who prefer brevity and lack of details. So I'll keep this short.
Please understand that we do not take this decision lightly, or by choice. Our hand was forced by our inability to find a factory or manufacturing partner that could consistently manufacture the lamps to our specification and quality requirements. We spent 4 years trying. Making large PAR lamps apparently IS rocket science. I say this with all seriousness because one of my colleagues in the office was formerly a process engineer at Sylvania's PAR factory in Kentucky years ago, and he has an Aerospace Engineering degree (iow- he's a rocket scientist), and he admitted that they are probably one of the hardest (if oldest) lamp types to manufacture consistently.
We've initiated a voluntary recall of all Large PAR lamps that we have had made in China since Nov. of 2016. Previous to that the PARs were all made in the USA (or AluPAR in Mexico and Germany) and those are fine.
Q: Why don't we go back to making them in the USA?
A: That factory was closed and the possibility (and machinery) no longer exists.
Q: Why don't we bring back the AluPAR?
A: When we discontinued that line a few years back, apparently the machinery was scrapped or sold off. That option also no longer exists.
Q: What do I do about my existing fixtures?
A: I wish I could tell you what to do. I honestly don't know. Perhaps look into ETC Source Four PAR fixtures? Or replace them with newer, LED fixtures? All I know is that we can't make the lamps anymore, and we have no way of bringing these kinds of lamps back to the market at this time. We wish we could. Again, this isn't a decision we chose, so much as one that was forced upon us.
Q: How do I find out more about this recall you mention above?
A: It will be posted on our website (www.osram.us) and/or you can contact us at 1-855-865-9271 or by email [email protected] for details and instructions how to participate in it.
Q: I'm really angry about this! Who can I yell at?
A: Anyone but me. I've been dealing with the frustration over these for the past 4 years now. If you think you (or your customer) are upset, try multiplying that by a factor of 10, and you'll be almost where I am.
Sincerely,
Mark
ps. Please don't use this thread to vent at me/us. I just wanted a post to try and explain the situation.