Philips Lighting Is Renamed Signify

On May 16, 2018, Philips Lighting officially changed its corporate name to Signify, marking an important milestone in its development as an independent global lighting company. The renaming followed approval by shareholders on May 15, 2018, and came nearly two years after Philips Lighting's initial public offering on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange in 2016. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Eric Rondolat, the company introduced the Signify identity to reflect its expanding focus on LED technology, connected lighting, and intelligent illumination systems. The name represented the company's vision of light as a means of communication and connection in an increasingly digital world. Despite the corporate name change, Signify continued using the globally recognized Philips brand for its lighting products under an existing licensing agreement with Royal Philips. The transformation into Signify became a defining moment in the history of Philips' original lighting business, which began in Eindhoven, Netherlands, in 1891 with the manufacturing of incandescent light bulbs. By 2018, Signify had grown into a global lighting leader, employing approximately 32,000 people across more than 70 countries and generating around €7 billion in annual sales in 2017. The new corporate identity strengthened its independence while preserving its historical connection to Philips through established product branding. Signify continued developing innovative lighting solutions, including Philips Hue smart lighting, energy-efficient LED systems, connected street lighting, and intelligent lighting technologies for homes, businesses, and cities. The 2018 renaming also represented an important step in Royal Philips' strategic transformation toward healthcare technology, allowing the two companies to pursue specialized business strategies. The establishment of Signify as a distinct global brand demonstrated how Philips' original lighting heritage evolved into a modern enterprise focused on connected, sustainable, and intelligent illumination.