To answer the growing demand from business enterprises for full-scale intelligent infrastructure solutions, CommScope has acquired Redwood Systems, Inc., a specialist in LED lighting solutions and integrated sensor networks for data centres and buildings.

The terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. CommScope funded the acquisition from cash on hand and funds available under its revolving credit facility.

Redwood Systems, a privately-held lighting performance solutions provider with offices in the US and UK, is a leader in light emitting diode, or LED, technology solutions that help facilitate lower cost and higher-performing workplaces. Redwood developed what is believed to be the world’s first smart building platform that powers and controls lights with a high-density sensor grid. This platform provides energy savings that typically average 75% improvement over traditional fluorescent lighting systems for office buildings and 90% improvement for data centres, with granular monitoring of space utilisation, temperature and power consumption. This approach uses patented networking technology and low-voltage direct current, or DC, architecture for low cost, highly reliable and scalable installation.

The acquisition is intended to strengthen CommScope’s position in intelligent building infrastructure solutions, enabling the company to provide one of the industry’s most comprehensive and automated infrastructure management platforms. With upcoming enhancements to optimise its operation over twisted pair cabling, the Redwood Systems platform can be deployed over CommScope’s readily available standardised structured cabling infrastructure. This can help CommScope’s data centre and intelligent building customers maximise their investment in cabling infrastructure and move towards more integrated IT and building systems, thus reducing installation costs and ongoing operational expenses.

“By adding Redwood’s innovative solutions, we expect to better meet our customers’ desire for improved energy efficiency and provide a cost-effective platform for enabling truly intelligent buildings,” says CommScope senior vice president of enterprise solutions Kevin St. Cyr.

“Tremendous insight on building usage can be obtained from analysing the centrally stored data from the sensor network enabling additional efficiency improvements and enhanced capabilities well beyond efficient lighting.”

Integrating with CommScope will provide Redwood Systems customers with infrastructure management software and cabling solutions to help meet their unique needs in implementing efficient asset management solutions.

“Redwood Systems brings a legacy of pioneering systems and offerings that make commercial facilities more intelligent and efficient,” says Redwood Systems chief executive Dave Leonard.

“We share in the values held by the people at CommScope and feel it is the best fit for us to leverage their global capabilities as a leader of intelligent infrastructure solutions.”