Left to right: Brothers Devin Wall, President, and Derek Wall, CEO, are the creative duo behind Louvers International, Inc.

The Louvers International, Inc. team provided this new lighting layout for a local manufacturing plant resulting in three times the light with half the energy cost.

In 1986, Alfred Wall Jr. recognized a growing problem—as computer use was becoming widespread, so was glare from computer screens and monitors. He devised a solution in the form of a clever design called a louver, which is a grid type of optical assembly used to control light distribution. He knew this device could make for more ergonomically friendly work and learning spaces using a retrofit solution where existing fixtures could utilize upgraded optical patterns.

So, Alfred quit his job, sold his home and invested everything he had to drive the solution out into the community. Then and there, Louvers International, Inc. (Louvers) was born.

Fast forward to 2006, and Alfred’s sons Derek and Devin Wall joined the company. According to Devin, “It was never in the plans for us to join Louvers, but when my mom said she needed two trustworthy people to step in and help out after a few key resignations, my brother and I didn’t hesitate.” Devin and Derek immediately brainstormed a new light fixture to address an issue with an outdated one—an early sign of the “hit the ground running” mentality the brothers would usher in at the company.

For years, Louvers’ main focus was selling plastic components for lighting products through its extensive distribution network. One popular product the company sold was an enclosed and gasketed lighting set that was Ingress Protection 65 (IP65) rated. IP65 means the fixture has an enclosure that protects the light source against dust and water jets. Devin says, “We began receiving a lot of negative feedback from customers saying these traditional enclosed and gasketed light sets had concealed fiberglass damage and the acrylic lenses were often broken. So, one of the first design projects my brother and I tackled was to create a new vaportight fixture using plastic. Through an iterative design process, we developed an all-polycarbonate product that was hearty and easy to install.” Hearing and acting on the feedback from customers, electricians, salespeople and distributors was not only a win for Louvers and its clients, but the product became a staple throughout the industry. Today, Devin is the President of Louvers and brother Derek is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This dynamic duo has focused on innovation and creativity since joining the company and it continues to pay big dividends.

Emboldened by Creative Success

After the vaportight fixture gained momentum, Devin and Derek immersed themselves in the world of lighting. They understood injection molding and lighting diffusers because they were Louvers’ primary products for decades. But now, they focused on innovation—from how the electronic components operate within a fixture to experimenting with ballasts and fluorescent lamps, and power supplies and LEDs. The brothers were excited to try out different approaches to make existing products better (or develop new concepts if nothing satisfied expectations).

“Derek and I would spend hours after work designing new molds and fixtures in our shop. Our original 4-foot vaportight unit was so popular with customers, we received requests for 2- and 8-foot unit designs. Derek and I were happy to assemble close to 100 fixtures a night just to meet our clients’ demands,” Devin says.

The duo didn’t stop there. Although the company had been providing louvers and replacement lenses for years, there was a need to revisit replacement lenses. “Some lenses are extruded, semi-circular or flat with lips,” Devin explains. “They are too cumbersome to replace, so many people throw the entire fixture away. I saw it as a challenge to change that.” Back to the drawing board, he and Derek began developing more ancillary and complementary products to supplement their current offerings. They ultimately created an entire product line for plastic lighting. Devin says, “Essentially, we transformed Louvers because we could provide a one-stop shop for any lighting project. We are now the one source electrical distributors can go to for answers instead of relying on products from various manufacturers; we offer it all.”

He continues, “When Derek and I took the President and CEO titles we decided that one of our main directives would be to increase in-house design solutions. We got involved with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), an organization that writes all the standards for every type of lighting scenario. We learned about their Progress Report, an annual magazine that features advancements in lighting products, research, publications and design tools. An impartial judging panel ranks submission on uniqueness, innovation and significance to the industry.”

IES recognized Louvers three years in a row by including the company’s designs in the Progress Report. “From 2017 to 2019 we were recognized for linear Liberty fixtures, LED barrel standoff and rogue linear fixtures (including linear pendants, recessed linear, dedicated 1x4, 2x2 and 2x4 troffers and retrofit kits for the troffers). Our designs can be applied in many environments, including parking garages, schools, manufacturing and power plants and nursing homes. It feels good to be recognized by our industry peers,” Devin says.

The Trusted Adviser in Lighting

Today, the company offers three main lines of products: legacy, which includes replacement louvers, lenses and fixture parts; fluorescent, which includes the full array of Advantage vaportight fixtures; and LED fixtures and retrofits, which are now the main focus of development and sales. Derek says, “After we finished the design of our 2-, 4- and 8-foot polycarbonate vaportight fixtures, customers said they wanted us to design a fluorescent high bay for a warehouse application. So, we figured out how to develop one and made it contractor-friendly.” To Devin and Derek, creating a new product in their 30,000-square-foot warehouse is not just a creative endeavor. “It’s a challenge to develop a product with installation and maintenance in mind,” Derek says.

Devin adds, “If our company develops a fixture, we make sure it has an easy lens to access and replace. Bigger companies may not realize the practicalities on installation or cost. If a lens is impossible to reach or is uniquely shaped, it quickly become a one-time-use fixture. That is expensive, so we think about keeping costs down to provide a long-life, easy-to-maintain product.”

Derek believes it’s their staff’s accessibility that provides a comfortableness and trust amongst the distributor community. “We have actual humans picking up the phone—not an automated directory assistant. We have a prompt service turnaround time, and we strive to do our best and offer value. Making sure people have all the proper information and spending time to answer questions means we get you the right product,” he says. “Listening to our customers so we can provide the right solution on not just one order, but every order, every time is what is most important.”

Brothers, Best Friends & a Family Atmosphere

Although Louvers is a family-owned business, its culture isn’t limited by blood relationships. Devin says, “We provide lunch every other Friday for the office and warehouse staff so we can get together and connect. Many of our employees have been here for years. In fact, there are many cousins and father/son pairs that are employed here.” Devin and Derek have set the “family atmosphere” tone at the company by doing almost everything together. “Derek and I carpool every day. It’s great because we use that time to talk about what we can do to better the industry and our community.”

Derek says, “We’re currently working on eight new fixtures and new technologies and keep a whiteboard where we track the new ideas. And, because we have an open-door policy, everyone can see what we’re working on and comment.” Devin adds, “It is the feedback from our co-workers, like input on what customers are requesting and responding to most positively, that shape our new designs.”

To say they like their work is an understatement. Derek adds, “We have fun at work. There are always new challenges, but we work together to overcome them. Devin is my best friend; I was his best man and he was mine in our respective weddings.” Like most families, there are disagreements, but the two always come back together, ask for input, seek outside counsel from customers and distributors, and find yet another new solution.

Pride in Their Product

One thing Devin and Derek experience regularly is pride in where their products are placed. They work with distributors as their main clients, and many times they aren’t made aware of the end user. The company has provided materials for major processing plants and manufacturing facilities such as Mars, Inc. and Target. Derek says, “We do know our lighting has been installed in most candy manufacturing plants in our region and in every major sports facility in Chicago.” In fact, Derek and Devin attended a Chicago Bears pre-season game and, while at a food kiosk, they experienced a pleasant surprise. “It was surreal to be walking back to our seats and look up and see one of our light fixtures. I was so proud.” From Soldier Field to Wrigley Field, Louvers’ products are brightly displayed.

It’s not only having products in commercial or sports facilities that makes the Louvers team excited about lighting. Devin recalls a job the company recently completed for the U.S. Navy. “Every one of our team members helped fill the order. To know we have 150 of our vaportight light fixtures sailing on a U.S. Navy ship is amazing. To feel like we’re supporting and helping our soldiers really boosts morale,” he says. The project was extra special to Devin and Derek because their father is a Vietnam veteran.

To these brothers, the true stars are their warehouse staff. Devin says, “We tell them they are the face of our company. The customer sees our product—first from how it’s packaged and delivered and then in how it performs. When our product performs well, it is evidence that our guys took time to get the orders done properly.” He continues, “Our team tests every fixture that we make here. Everything gets electrified and plugged in before it’s shipped so we know the product is high quality.”

At Louvers, a strong foundation of camaraderie and teamwork, fueled by talented designers and leaders, has led to quality execution and innovation in spades. To Devin and Derek, this is their secret to continued success.