news

  • Feb 14, 2024

Press Release: William “Bill” Brown Passes Away
at 95

(Niles, IL). Bill Brown, founder and chairman of Bill Brown Sales and A.L.P., passed away peacefully yesterday, surrounded by family, in Glenview, IL. He was 95 years old.

Bill and his wife Norma started the Bill Brown Sales component sales agency in 1955 from the kitchen table of their apartment while raising their young family. Bill felt pressure to expand services as the business grew, so he entered the manufacturing industry, founding A.L.P. in 1972. Over the course of his almost 70-year career, he witnessed and responded to a technological revolution in lighting, moving from traditional light sources to LEDs. Bill created growth opportunities by listening, learning, and finding new ways to meet customer needs.

Bill’s entrepreneurial talent and engaging personality made him a central figure in the lighting community, and his enduring relationships will remain his legacy. He was a prolific correspondent who sent out hundreds of follow-ups weekly, first by US mail and then by email. Over the years, he received numerous industry awards and accolades, including the first-ever Edison Report Lifetime Achievement Award, the IES Louis B Marks Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from RSM McGladrey. He gave back to others in many ways, supporting his local synagogue, Temple Jeremiah, and the cancer research of the City of Hope, among many charitable organizations.

Despite its growth, the organization remains a family business at its core, with Bill’s son Steve serving as CEO and his recently retired son David sitting on A.L.P.’s Board of Directors. Grandson Michael is a Regional Sales Manager for BBS, while grandson Scott serves as a Process Analyst. The values Bill Brown instilled, including mutual respect, philanthropy, and good old-fashioned hard work, will remain as the company’s guiding principles, honoring his memory for years to come.


, , , , , ,
  • Oct 26, 2023

A.L.P. Announces New Hires

We are pleased to announce two new additions to the A.L.P. team:

Abelardo Martinez was recently hired as Regional Sales Manager, focusing on non-lighting customers in Mexico. He will be responsible for developing and growing custom manufacturing business with OEMs from automotive, appliance, heavy equipment, medical, and other industries. Abelardo has an extensive business development background and is experienced in interfacing with engineering and manufacturing teams. 

Pablo Villarreal, our new Metals Product Manager, is working from A.L.P.’s Monterrey facility. He is responsible for the Metals product portfolio, including pricing and technical support for the sales and customer service teams. Pablo has a strong background in metals processing and sales. He will train in Monterrey for the next few months and travel with our regional sales managers.


, , , , , , ,
  • Oct 3, 2023

A.L.P.’s Lindy® and Lineman™ Post-Top Optics Offered in Two Pieces

Simple solution saves time, freight, and cost

A.L.P. offers two of its Industry-leading post-top optics in two pieces to simplify installation and save you money.

Freight costs can be lowered dramatically, with refractor tops and caps nested and shipped separately, cutting the weight and size of bulkier shipments. Assembly is easy and can be done on-site without tools.

Lineman™ also is offered with optional caps and finials, allowing you to expand your product offering easily and inexpensively.

In addition to saving money, the Lindy® and Lineman post tops outperform other one-piece solutions for roadways, walkways, parks, and residential outdoor lighting. Their outstanding features and benefits include:

• Visually pleasing
• Compatible with HID or LED
• Lower glare
• Durable
• UV stable
• Impact resistant
• Material choices
• 8” or 9” necks
• Optional accessories


, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • Aug 3, 2023

New Post-Top Combinations to Expand Your Product Line

Fewer SKUs, Cheaper Freight, Lower Overall Cost


A.L.P.’s newest post-top lighting innovation allows our model 401 Lineman™ top and cap to be used with our industry-leading model 425 Lindy® bottom, so you can add to the variety of your traditional street and area lighting while cutting costs and keeping SKUs to a minimum.

The secret is in the design of Lineman’s injection molded top and cap. Using a snap-fit feature, it is attached in the field without tools. The top and bottom optics are shipped separately, dramatically reducing freight costs up to 70 percent versus pre-assembled post tops and eliminating the need—and cost—of attaching clamp bands.

This interchangeable option combines the look and performance of the Lindy with the value of the Lineman, adding variety to your product offering with the most economical, environmentally friendly approach. Other new options include new black acrylic tops for some Lineman and Lindy configurations.

All Lindy and Lineman acrylic post tops come with a 10-year warranty against discoloration. Why wait when you can add variety and lower costs with a classic post-top aesthetic and superior performance?


, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • Jul 18, 2023

Press Release: A.L.P.  Announces Leadership Changes, Promotions

(Niles, IL) A.L.P., leading global supplier of components for lighting and other manufacturing industries, is pleased to announce leadership changes to strengthen the company and its customer relationships. Effective July 2, 2023, Adam Mayse has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, from Metals Business Unit Manager. In addition, Tom Barnes has been promoted to VP And Business Manager, from Optical Business Unit Manager. These moves are part of a larger strategic reorganization to centralize product-related activities, streamline operations, and support the changing requirements of the marketplace.

In his new role as President and COO, Adam Mayse will have strategic and managerial responsibility for manufacturing operations, customer experience, corporate services, finance, sales, and marketing. Adam joined A.L.P. in 1997 and has held a variety of management positions in engineering, operations, and product management, as well as domestic and international sales. He has also worked in other technical industries outside of lighting and brings a fresh perspective to delivering value to A.L.P.’s OEM partners and customers.

As VP and Business Manager, Tom Barnes will have enterprise-wide responsibility for A.L.P.’s product development, marketing communications, design engineering, sales resource, and pricing functions. Tom has managed the company’s optical business unit since 2007 when A.L.P. acquired Spectrus, Inc., including the LexaLite® brand. He is a Certified Lighting Professional and holds four patents related to plastics in lighting.

“We congratulate Adam and Tom on their new positions,” said Steve Brown, A.L.P.’s CEO. “They have extensive knowledge of the lighting industry and enduring relationships with our customers. They are uniquely qualified to succeed in their expanded roles, and to move our customer-focused strategy forward.”

After the transition, Steve Brown will remain as CEO and David Brown, former COO, will be stepping away from day-to-day involvement after 46 years of service to the company. David will be an active member of A.L.P.’s Board of Directors, using his extensive experience to support budgeting, major projects, and strategic planning initiatives.


, , , , , , ,
  • Jun 29, 2023

New Silicone TIR Optic for Outdoor Lighting is Virtually Indestructible

Delivers 91% light transmission without sacrificing durability or performance.

A.L.P. is pleased to introduce the new 1100 Series, a Type V Total Internal Reflection (TIR) optic optimized for COBs with a Light Emitting Surface of up to 18mm.  Designed for use in outdoor lighting or other high-power applications, the optical-grade Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) optic provides excellent transmittance, impact resistance and high temperature operation while being immune to UV degradation. The 1100 Series offers 65-degree beam distribution, allowing for greater spacing while maintaining uniformity.

Its flange provides mounting features that are compatible with off-the-shelf frames, and bottom side of the optic includes mounting alignment features.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:

“18-V-W”:  18mm LED / type 5 (V) / Wide beam distribution

Designated LED size: 18

Light distribution type: V (5)

Beam description: Wide 

FEATURES & BENEFITS

  • Excellent uniformity
  • Unlimited service lifetime
  • Mounting features matching other off-the-shelf optics
  • Greater than 91% light transmittance
  • Continuous service temperature range -45 to +200º C
  • Impact, chemical and UV resistant

In addition to manufacturing the innovative 1100 Series, A.L.P. has unsurpassed capacity and expertise in optical silicone molding. We can produce custom silicone components quickly and cost effectively, in either Charlevoix, MI or Monterrey, MX, with 80-ton, 180-ton, 220-ton, 240-ton and 660-ton press capacities.

Contact your Bill Brown Sales regional manager for more information.


, , , , , , , , , ,