Founded in 1984 in New York City,WAC Lighting has been specializing in the research, development and manufacture of high-end lighting fixtures and is a leading manufacturer of architectural lighting, decorative lighting and smart ceiling fans, and enjoys a strong reputation in the U.S. professional lighting industry. The company owns a number of brands including Modern Forms, dweLED, WAC Lighting, LIMITED and AiSPiRE.

The Plattsburgh factory will focus on customized products for all the brands in the portfolio, and it will also play a strategic role in designing new products and developing new luxury finishes for all the brands. Schonbek is a global brand with settled and well-established distribution channels in Europe, Australia and the Middle East, and the acquisition will also help WAC to tap into new market sectors. Completion of the transaction is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to take place on June 30, 2021.

Dirk Wald, Co-CEO of WAC, commented, "We are delighted to have acquired the luxury crystal lighting brand Schonbek and will continue to work with the exceptional talents at Plattsburgh to lead and build on its proud heritage. In the meanwhile, after July 1, investments will be made in the Plattsburgh factory's operations to ensure its future growth. Starting with a supernormal new product launch that has been planned for months, Schonkbek takes full advantage of WAC's strength in flexible product development, new Schonbek products will be unveiled simultaneously in New York and Montreal this fall, which will also be the largest product introduction in Schonbek's history."”

According to Dirk Wald, an industry visionary who co-founded Modern Forms, dweLED, WAC Landscape, LIMITED, and AiSPiRE brands, “We are excited to acquire the Schonbek brand of luxury crystal lighting and collaborate with the talented people in Plattsburgh to continue this proud tradition. After July 1st, there will be a period of investment in the operations necessary to secure the future in Plattsburgh, beginning with a KILLER new product launch that we have been planning for several months, in anticipation of this acquisition. Leveraging WAC’s strengths in nimble product development, the new Schonbek product launch, to be unveiled simultaneously in New York City and Montreal this coming Fall, will represent the largest product introduction in the history of Schonbek.”

Andrew Schonbek, who served as president and CEO of Schonbek Lighting Worldwide, said, "It has been a real pleasure working with Dirk, and I have firsthand witnessed his creativity, passion for products, impeccable sense of design, and understanding and championing for the customer. I anticipate that these unique talents will be reflected soon in Schonbek's creative renaissance, which will once again make it a leading, cutting-edge brand. I know of no one better than Dirk and WAC to carry on what four generations of Schonbeks have worked so hard to build since 1870."

“My family and I were thrilled to hear this news," says Andrew Schonbek. "Working with Dirk was a joy, as I witnessed first-hand his creative energy, passion for the product, impeccable design sense and understanding and advocacy of customers. I predict that these unique talents will soon find expression in a creative renaissance at Schonbek that will once again position it as a leading, cutting edge brand. There’s nobody I know of who’s better positioned than Dirk and WAC to carry forward the legacy that four generations of Schonbeks labored to build since 1870."

About Schonbek

About Schonbek In 1870, at the age of 24, Bohemian glassmaker Adolf Schonbek left the family glassworks to start his own crystal chandelier business. He was convinced that the fusion of crystal and lamps was the best interpretation of this beautiful material. Since its inception, Schonbek has specialized in custom crystal chandeliers, which can be found everywhere from the White House to Buckingham Palace, as well as in luxury hotels, resorts, casinos, palaces, or private mansions, and is a globally renowned brand of luxury crystal lighting.www.schonbek.com