CUPOWER Europe GmbH, founded in 2009, has grown into a global manufacturer of high-quality LED drivers and smart-lighting control solutions. With a portfolio of more than 300 products and a footprint spanning over 60 countries, the company blends robust R&D capabilities with fully integrated in-house manufacturing. Its network of research centers and extensive patent portfolio drives innovation across advanced technologies, such as DALI, DMX, KNX, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless integration within modern smart-building environments.
The company operates large-scale production facilities that enforce rigorous quality standards, including 100% burn-in and end-of-line testing. These processes, strengthened by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, reinforce CUPOWER’s commitment to reliability. Moreover, its Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all LED drivers demonstrate a strong dedication to sustainability.
Guided by a mission to deliver reliable, intelligent lighting solutions with exceptional service, CUPOWER strives to lead the global smart-lighting industry while upholding its core values: availability, expertise, customer focus, and long-term responsibility.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World at the LED Expo New Delhi, Katja Politowski, Marketing Director of CUPOWER Europe GmbH, discusses the company’s product categories and their distinct advantages. She also explains how these solutions leverage wireless technologies, shares her insights on the Indian market, and outlines her vision for innovation and growth over the next 5–10 years.
The following are the key takeaways from her compelling conversation.
Q: Could you provide an overview of CUPOWER’s major product categories and explain the unique advantages they offer compared to competing solutions?
A: CUPOWER specializes exclusively in LED drivers for indoor applications, and we concentrate on advanced, future-oriented technologies such as DT8, D4i, and Bluetooth Mesh. Rather than producing standard on–off drivers, we focus on high-performance solutions designed to meet the demands of complex, technically challenging lighting projects.
This commitment to innovation sets us apart from other manufacturers. We take a truly global approach—operating in the United States and Europe, and now strengthening our presence in India. Our participation at the LED Expo in New Delhi for the second time underscores this global outlook and our dedication to bringing the latest technologies to every market we serve.
Q: Are these drivers IoT-enabled?
A: We offer a fully wireless Bluetooth Mesh platform that enables seamless control without the need for traditional wiring. Built on our hardware foundation, the platform supports multiple software ecosystems. At present, we have integrated four distinct systems: Ingy, Mymesh, Casambi, and Silvair.
Some of these platforms, such as Casambi, are widely recognized and used globally, while others have strong roots in the European market. Together, they provide exceptional flexibility.
As a result, you can design and manage highly sophisticated lighting projects entirely wirelessly—controlled either through a smartphone or a centralized management interface.
Q: How do you view the Indian market for your products?
A: I see India as an exceptionally dynamic and rapidly growing market, and a remarkably large one. Any company with a global vision must recognize India’s significance. We certainly do, and we are proud to have a dedicated team operating across multiple regions of the country.
Our colleagues here represent the CUPOWER brand with deep technical expertise and professionalism. They understand our products thoroughly, and they receive immediate updates and samples whenever we introduce new product ranges. Their capability ensures that our innovations reach the Indian market without delay.
Of course, India presents one important challenge: BIS approval, which is required before products can enter the market. We have already applied for BIS certification for our Bluetooth Mesh platform, and it will be available soon. Many of our other products have successfully obtained BIS approval as well.
Q: Where do you see CUPOWER in the next 5–10 years in terms of innovation and market growth?
A: I see our brand positioned at the forefront of the lighting industry. That is the standard we work toward every day. We are already one of the leading companies in this space. However, I must be honest: I have no ambition to become the largest. When a company grows too big, it risks losing agility and, ultimately, failing to respond effectively to the market.
Lighting demands attentiveness. It requires listening closely to what people want and understanding what they truly need. Maintaining that level of connection is only possible when you stay close to your customers and to the lighting community. Large organizations often struggle to preserve this intimacy, but we consider it essential.
Our goal is to consistently deliver products that are genuinely customized, solutions designed for our customers, tailored for lighting professionals, and capable of supporting even their most ambitious and unconventional projects.
