Evolucia Inc. Expanding into New 61,000 Square Foot Corporate Headquarters in Sarasota, FL

SARASOTA, Fla., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure-play LED company, Evolucia Inc. (OTCBB & OTCQB: ILED), is expanding its operations in Sarasota, Florida to a state-of-the-art 61,000 square foot facility located at 7040 Professional Parkway East (the former Gemisis property).  The new facility will serve as the company's world headquarters and Center of Excellence for the research, development and manufacture of high-performance LED lighting controls and fixtures.

In addition to corporate business functions, the new 61,000 square foot facility will consolidate Evolucia's LED (light emitting diodes) research, development and testing operations into one domestic facility.  The company will maintain its off-shore international mass-production capabilities through its partnership with Leader Electronics, and continues to develop contract manufacturing relationships in Radom, Poland for distribution of the company's products into the European markets.

Evolucia has acquired the latest manufacturing and optical testing equipment for installation at the new facility during the 3rd quarter of this year.  This equipment will allow Evolucia to perform photometric, thermal, optical and other pertinent product and component analysis internally rather than contracting this work to external organizations, which will significantly reduce the costs and time associated with product development activities.  In addition, company engineers project that the new manufacturing facilities will allow Evolucia to increase its internal manufacturing capacities to more than 300,000 units per year over the next 24 months.

During the 4th quarter of 2013, Evolucia will open its state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot customer demonstration and education center.  This center will demonstrate the advanced technology behind Evolucia's proprietary LED lighting fixtures and controls, and will help lighting designers, specifiers, original equipment manufacturers, energy and facility managers and end-users to understand the value, energy efficiency and positive environmental impact of Evolucia products.  

Evolucia CEO, Mel Interiano, stated, "We are steering our company towards success by imagining the future of LED lighting and creating that future here in the U.S.  Our new corporate headquarters provide us with not only the facilities required for growth, but with both the creative environment and the tools necessary to maintain our lead in the development of next generation lighting solutions.  Our new world headquarters stand as a concrete symbol of the steps we have taken in the complete strategic refocusing of our company."

A global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of LED (light emitting diodes) lighting solutions, Evolucia has recently completed Asian, European and Australian partnership agreements, and finalized a joint marketing agreement with a global lighting brand in Mexico.  The company has also signed a letter of intent to acquire Coral Springs, Florida-based Affineon Lighting strengthening the product portfolio to include a complete offering of LED interior and exterior lamp, fixture and controls offerings.

"Sarasota will become a bright light in the emerging LED space by serving as home to a company dedicated to creating American jobs that serve a fast-growing, global, high tech, clean and 'green' market," Interiano added. "I expect to add another 100 employees over the next few years, and I need a friendly and complementary relationship with our city as we bring those high-paying jobs to the community.  My goal for Sarasota is to see more of our LED solutions lighting the roadways, offices and commercial spaces here in our home city."

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County has been working with Evolucia over the last several years and has assisted the company with its growth and expansion plans.  "Evolucia is on the cutting edge of an emerging technology, it is a growing company that creates environmentally friendly products and taps in to a diverse workforce.  The recent refocus and new management team bring a refreshing outlook for this up and coming Sarasota-based company. It is exactly the type of business we want to keep right here and we are delighted they decided to stay in Sarasota," said Mark Huey, CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.

Fred Starling, President of the Starling Group added, "I am pleased to have the world's premier pure play LED technology company as a tenant and look forward to assisting  them with the growth and development of the company."

Warehousing begins the move to the new facility this week with the complete move and renovations to be finalized by the end of August.  An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled for September.

About the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County

The EDC of Sarasota County is the private, not-for-profit corporation leading the community's economic development strategy to add high-wage jobs and diversify the local economy. The EDC provides business assistance to companies in Sarasota County and helps forge solutions to community challenges that affect quality of life. The EDC works in partnership with chambers of commerce, local governments and other organizations throughout the county and the region. For more information, visit www.edcsarasotacounty.com.

About The Starling Group

Since 1981, the Starling Group has been Developing Solutions and Building Results for clients throughout the West Coast of Florida.   The Starling Group is a full service real estate organization engaged in all phases of real estate:  acquisition, planning, design, construction, sales, leasing, marketing and management.  The Starling Group, directed by Fred M. Starling, has completed over $500 Million in real estate development on Florida's West Coast.  The Starling Group is known as progressive, energetic organization, actively participating in the planned growth of the community.  Starling's involvement in the real estate process can be as preliminary as site selection or as complete as a joint venture partner. For more information visit: www.starling-group.com.

About Evolucia Inc.

Evolucia Inc. is an industry pioneer in the design, engineering, manufacture and marketing of high performance LED lighting systems to the global lighting markets.  Evolucia received the United States Department of Energy's highest award for lighting within the LED category, and has installed thousands of its fixtures at military bases, universities, municipalities, and large commercial entities.  Evolucia's LED lighting products are sold under the brand, Evolucia Lighting (www.evolucialighting.com).

All Evolucia products offer highly energy efficient, durable, commercial-grade LED lighting for both indoor and outdoor applications. The company's award winning cobra head and shoe box fixtures employ Evolucia's proprietary Aimed Optics™ technology, which increases light levels and visibility by strategically directing light to the target area.  Evolucia fixtures require 50%-80% less energy than traditional lighting, and last for approximately 12 years without maintenance.

More information about Evolucia Inc and its LED lighting systems is available in the company's Securities and Exchange filings, which can be found at www.sec.gov or at www.evolucialighting.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements made by Evolucia in this press release are forward-looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Evolucia believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: development and maintenance of strategic acquisitions; domestic and international acceptance of our product lines; defending our intellectual property and proprietary rights; development of new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully completing commercial testing of new technologies and systems to support new products and services; and attracting and retaining qualified management and other personnel. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Evolucia's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.

SOURCE Evolucia Inc.