Lighting 101

ANDERSON – After more than two decades of product development experience in the automotive lighting business, Continental has expanded its focus to include architectural lighting and specialty vehicle aftermarket lighting– with a focus on state-of-the-art LED lighting technology.

In an effort to assist its new customers in communicating their lighting needs, Judy Nagengast, CEO of Continental, has set up Lighting 101. This hands-on display explains the basics of light and how light is measured and described.

Judy explained, “With the advent of new lighting sources, such as LEDs and Compact Fluorescents, a customer can no longer just specify a “100 watt bulb” and be sure they will get what they want. Customers now need to understand light output, the color of the light and how it affects the colors of the environment. There is a whole language of lighting that most people don’t know.” After going through the Lighting 101 exhibit, customers can better communicate their needs and be sure they will get the light they desire. Continental can then design this lighting product to their exact specifications.

Gas Light Conversions
Save hundreds a year with LED conversion kits

Charm-Lite, an Indiana Gas Light Conversion Company, came to Continental looking for a light that would display the same glow and color as a gas lamp, but would run on electricity, utilizing the latest in LED technology. After several prototypes, Continental created an LED light that gives the same appearance as a gas lamp in outdoor residential light fixtures.

The new lights cost about $7 a year in electricity to run, as opposed to $365 a year for a gas lamp. These lamps draw so little power that they can also be powered by a small solar panel. Continental has mounted three sets of these LEDs outside their headquarters main entrance at the 1524 Jackson St. entrance, which are solar powered. “These are the ultimate in cost savings,” said Bill Nagengast. “Since we are powering them with a solar panel, they are totally off the power grid and self regenerating. They shut off at sunrise and come back on at sundown.”

Staffing Services Saves $$$

2008 has been a rocky year for the economy, but Continental has a solution that will help.

Continental’s Professional and Staffing Services can save your company money by providing you with the maximum staff you need when production ramps up and the minimum staff you need when production slows. This service cuts the costs of hiring, training, unemployment and taxes while saving you time that would otherwise be spent recruiting, handling HR issues and payroll administration. Call Continental today to see how we can save your company money!

Continental Works With Start-Ups

In the past few years, Continental has developed quite a reputation for helping start-up companies and companies that wish to relocate to Central Indiana. Continental has helped over a half dozen start-up companies with staffing, HR Administration, facilities, equipment purchasing and training grants.

CEO, Judy Nagengast states, “The low cost of doing business in Central Indiana has been attracting more and more start-ups to this area as well as several companies that wish to re-locate here to save money. Continental loves to help these companies get established in the area and with our knowledge of local experienced professionals, available facilities and other resources, we are able to give the companies quite a head start.” Some of the new companies that Continental has assisted include IPower Energy Systems, Altairnano, Northstar Aerospace and Muhlen Sohn Inc.