Lighting Asset Management for a Top 10 Retailer

In the retail world, commercial lighting structures are an often overlooked area of property maintenance that can lead to significant damage. This damage can cause injury or death to passerby and millions of dollars in damages to the asset owner. 

This issue is so common even the biggest companies in the nation don’t realize they are moments away from a catastrophe. In 2015, one of the top 10 major retailers in the nation experienced several commercial lighting structure failures that were of great concern to technicians and engineers alike. It turned out that the parking lot lights had been around for 15-30 years and had severely lost their structural integrity, which meant a catastrophic event was right around the corner. Had an issue like this occured, that would mean major liability issues for this company. Something had to be done before it was too late.

What to Expect from a Lighting Asset Retailer

Exo Steps In

The retailer decided to partner with leading utility pole inspection company Exo to develop a strategic, pragmatic asset management program that would help minimize the potential for future failures. Exo began inspecting the retailer’s parking lot lights by launching a pilot program across 10 stores using NDT testing (non-destructive testing) techniques for a quick assessment. These assessments were thorough data-driven analyses that pinpointed any flaws in the lighting structures. A multi-phase pole inspection program followed the assessments by Exo that included:

• Inspection: Conducted comprehensive baseline review of all assets
• Field Service & Repair: Designed, specified, and facilitated remediation of found issues
• Asset Program Management: Established an ongoing maintenance program

This light maintenance program highlighted causes of poor asset conditions beyond age, including location, installation, quality of materials, maintenance, design, and weather events. With this new knowledge and Exo’s Ex-Tend lifecycle management solution, the retailer was better prepared for the future.

Unfortunately, this is all too common. Issues can often start at the conception of an asset due to poor welding or early on in the field due to improper installation of the structure. Corrosion, wear and tear, weather, and more are in constant battle with light pole safety, so it is imperative to have a knowledgeable partner from the beginning who understands asset management and how to look for underlying issues with your light poles. This will not only protect the public, your people, your property, and yourself, it can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs and liability costs in the future. 

Failure Crisis Averted

Through its partnership with Exo, the retailer has transitioned to a proactive inspection approach for all structural assets. This has saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in unplanned asset replacements and millions of dollars in liability or risk exposure costs. Additionally, none of the 20,000 structures Exo cleared or repaired have since experienced failure.

The project was considered an overall success, and the retailer has continued partnering with Exo for turn-key asset management and ongoing inspection cycles. You can do this too and protect your future with Exo!

Ready to Work With Us?

Our team would love to talk to you, so we can learn about your company’s goals and primary areas of concern. Contact us today, and we’ll help you take the first step in creating a comprehensive asset management program. Give us a call at 281-259-7000.

Get Started with Exo

Ready to Work With Us?

Our team would love to talk to you, so we can learn about your lighting company’s goals and primary areas of concern. Contact us today, and we’ll help you take the first step in creating a comprehensive lighting asset management program. Give us a call at 281-259-7000.