Solid state lighting manufacturer Lamina Ceramics has announced that CEO Taylor Adair will be leaving the company this summer to found a new solid state lighting venture. The announcement was made jointly by Adair and company board chairman Greg Blonder. Adair will continue with the business until a successor is named.
According to Blonder, "Taylor has informed Lamina's Board of Directors that he can no longer resist the urge to start his own solid state lighting company. While we are surprised by this decision, we appreciate the visionary leadership that he has provided the company over the past five years and we wish him much success with his new venture."
When asked what prompted his move, Adair replied, "The lighting industry is on the brink of a profound change. Today, solid state light sources are having the same effect on the lighting market that digital technology had on photography. There is an incredible amount of opportunity and no one company can do it all. Lamina is extremely well positioned to dominate the market for LED light sources that make enough light to be useful for illumination applications. At this point, I think that I can add the most value for all parties by becoming a Lamina customer and accelerating activity at that level by incorporating Lamina light sources into compelling new products."
Blonder added, "Under Taylor's leadership Lamina has established itself as the premier supplier of ultra-bright LED light sources. Our soon-to-be-announced new product releases will further extend our lead. We have retained a search firm and we are using our substantial contacts in the industry to recruit a new CEO for Lamina."
Adair joined Lamina as CEO and first employee at the company's inception in 2001. He led the company through the initial commercialization of its core packaging technology and in 2003 was the catalyst for Lamina's transition into the lighting industry. Prior to Lamina, Adair was the CEO of EMC Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of RF components. Under his leadership, EMC enjoyed significant growth in sales and profitability and changed ownership twice prior to Adair's departure in 2001 to join Lamina.