Tvilight takeover sparks smart lighting innovation at Gewiss

The Italian electrical engineering firm Gewiss has announced the acquisition of 75 percent of Tvilight, the Dutch specialist in smart street lighting. The Delft University of Technology spinoff, with offices in Groningen, Schiphol and India, enables smart city and IoT integration by combining sensors, connected lighting controls and management software. Employing over 2,200 people, Gewiss is a key player in home and building automation, energy protection and distribution systems, smart lighting and e-mobility. The Tvilight acquisition enhances its portfolio and expands its market presence across Italy and beyond.

Under the new majority ownership, Tvilight will maintain its independence. For the company, the integration with Gewiss is a strategic opportunity to strengthen its international business and support its global partner network in deploying smart street lighting across entire cities. The financial stability and resources of the Italian group will provide the necessary support to accelerate Tvilight’s strategic developments and expand its commercial reach globally. “Joining Gewiss is a natural step in our journey,” comments chairman and founder Chintan Shah. “Their global reach, technological capabilities and leadership in automation provide the perfect platform to strengthen our operations.”

Five years ago, the lights almost went out for Tvilight when it was declared bankrupt. “We were finalizing a new investment and at the last minute, one of the investors – from a consortium of three – stepped back,” Shah told Bits&Chips in 2019. “Because of our cash flow position, we were obliged to file for insolvency under Dutch law.” A couple of weeks later, however, he was able to announce the successful completion of the investment round after all, having secured growth capital from its key manufacturer and supplier, A1 Electronics in Almelo, among others.