According to survey respondents, contractors are involved in recommending LED lighting more than 70% of the time, yet a majority of respondents said they would be interested in receiving more training on product installation, benefits and layout. This shows that, despite their involvement in the industry, many contractors still desire LED education.

Contractors also indicated that they could sell more effectively were LED lighting manufacturers to provide samples, sales brochures, ROI calculations, product application guides for indoor/outdoor usage, comparative pricing, and information regarding tax incentives and rebates.

Conducted by Energy Smart Marketers, the survey demonstrates the value of LED manufacturers reaching out to electrical contractors through marketing efforts.

“Contractor responses show they are interested in more LED product training,” said David Gordon, principal, Channel Marketing Group. (a consulting firm for manufacturers, distributors, distribution technology providers and industry associations). “The survey indicated that the top three reasons they recommend LEDs are energy savings, longevity and maintenance savings. This demonstrates that LED manufacturers can influence contractors’ lighting and product recommendations through better education and outreach to this group.”

The survey also showed that contractors prefer to purchase through electrical distributors where they already have a relationship, continued Gordon, indicating that LED manufacturers need to consider a channel strategy in concert with their end-user outreach initiatives.

The survey was conducted with 2100 people from 1900 different electrical and lighting contractor companies.