Project: Roland Central Europe – LED tri-proof lights

Roland Central Europe, the European warehouse of the musical instrument brand in Geel (Belgium), replaced 870 fluorescent tube luminaires in its 16,000 m² warehouse with 870 LED tri-proof lights 150 cm of 55W, DALI-controlled and mounted on the existing light lines at 14 m. The light on the floor went from 210 to 320 lux, while the power for lighting dropped by 58%.

Project facts

Client	Roland Central Europe, European warehouse of the musical instrument brand
Location	Geel, Belgium
Building	Storage and distribution warehouse, approx. 16,000 m²
Completed	2025
Old lighting	870 × fluorescent tube luminaire, 130W
New lighting	870 × LED tri-proof light 150 cm, 55W
Mounting	14 m, custom brackets on the existing light lines
Control	DALI
Illuminance	210 lux before, 320 lux after
Planning	DIALux light study

The starting point

From Geel, Roland Central Europe supplies its musical instruments and equipment across Europe. The 16,000 m² warehouse holds high pallet racking, picking zones and loading docks, with forklifts and order pickers working in long shifts. The hall was lit by 870 fluorescent tube luminaires of 130W each: a total of 113,100W.

Not enough light for picking

With around 210 lux on the floor, the light was workable but too low for fast and error-free order picking. Every failed tube made it worse, leaving dark patches between the racks.

Failing tubes and high consumption

More and more tubes had failed, and since August 2023 T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes may no longer be placed on the EU market. At the same time, 113,100W running 3,300 hours a year meant more than 373,000 kWh and over €120,000 a year for lighting alone.

The solution

Light study first

Before ordering, we made a DIALux light study of the warehouse. It showed that the existing light lines could be kept and that one LED tri-proof light per old fitting would raise the light level to over 300 lux.

870 LED tri-proof lights on the existing light lines

All 870 positions now carry an LED tri-proof light 150 cm of 55W. To mount them on the existing light lines at 14 m, we supplied custom mounting brackets, so the lines and the power supply could stay in place. At 155 lm/W, each luminaire produces far more light than an old fluorescent fitting at less than half the power. IP65 keeps out the dust of a busy distribution warehouse. Read more in our guide on choosing LED tri-proof lights.

DALI control

All luminaires are DALI-dimmable, so the light can be switched and dimmed per line or zone. Zones that are not in use do not have to burn at full power, and sensors or schedules can be added later without rewiring.

LED luminaires used in this project

Energy savings in figures

	Before	After	Difference
Luminaires	870 × 130W fluorescent	870 × 55W LED tri-proof	one for one
Connected load	113,100W	47,850W	−58%
Load per m²	7.1W/m²	3.0W/m²	−4.1W/m²
Consumption per year	373,230 kWh	157,905 kWh	−215,325 kWh
Electricity cost per year	€123,166	€52,109	−€71,057
CO2 per year	56.0 t	23.7 t	−32.3 t
Average illuminance	210 lux	320 lux	+52%

How we calculated this

• Before: 870 × 130W = 113,100W × 3,300 h = 373,230 kWh per year.
• After: 870 × 55W = 47,850W × 3,300 h = 157,905 kWh per year.
• Cost: 215,325 kWh × €0.33/kWh = €71,057 per year.
• CO2: 215,325 kWh × 0.15 kg/kWh = 32.3 t per year.

The saving from DALI dimming of unused zones is not included, so the real saving can be higher.

Investment and payback

At current webshop prices, the 870 LED tri-proof lights cost €47,807. Half of the investment was covered by an energy-efficiency subsidy, leaving €23,903. With €71,057 saved per year, the luminaires paid for themselves in about four months. Installation and the custom brackets are not included in that figure; even with installation, a relighting with savings like these typically pays for itself within the first year.

Calculate the savings for your hall

The calculator below is pre-filled with the Roland figures. Change the values to see what a switch to LED would save in your own building.

The result

• More light: from 210 to 320 lux across the 16,000 m² warehouse.
• 58% less power: 47,850W instead of 113,100W for the same 870 light points.
• Existing light lines kept: custom brackets made it possible to reuse the lines and wiring.
• No more failed tubes: no dark patches and no more searching for discontinued fluorescent tubes.
• Lower running costs: €71,057 less on electricity every year and 32.3 tonnes less CO2.

Frequently asked questions

Can LED tri-proof lights be mounted on existing light lines?

Yes. At Roland Central Europe we supplied custom brackets to mount the LED tri-proof lights on the existing light lines at 14 m. The lines and the power supply could stay in place, which kept the installation fast and affordable.

Are tri-proof lights bright enough at 14 m?

With 155 lm/W, a 55W tri-proof light produces around 8,500 lumen. Mounted in dense rows along the light lines, that delivered 320 lux on the floor here. The exact layout always follows from a DIALux light study.

Can fluorescent tubes still be bought?

Since August 2023, T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes may no longer be placed on the EU market. Remaining stock is running out, so installations with fluorescent tubes will need to be converted to LED sooner or later.

How was the saving of €71,057 per year calculated?

The old installation drew 113,100W, the new one 47,850W. At 3,300 operating hours a year that is 215,325 kWh less. Multiplied by €0.33/kWh, that gives €71,057 a year. Extra savings from DALI dimming are not included.

Can you make a free light plan for my warehouse?

Yes. Send us a floor plan with the racking layout and ceiling height. We make a free DIALux light study, work out how many luminaires you need and send a non-binding quote at direct-import prices.