TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --TBSS International, Inc. (OTCQB: TBSS) announced today the company has completed the design phase of the new commercial lighting applications for office workspace and outside path lighting. The company's design maximizes the visible light while minimizing wattage usage. Mass production of the newly designed 2' x 4' lay-in fixtures began today.
Todd Spinelli, CEO of TBSS International, noted, "As Congress forces all of us to gradually discontinue use of incandescent lighting in deference to the new compact fluorescent bulbs, we will all pay more and worry about the dangers and strict regulations that surround disposal of the expensive CFL's. The Velella Lighting System (VLS) is already in use through a number of pilot trial programs in street lights in half a dozen neighborhoods across the country. Utility statements indicate that the VLS is 85% more efficient than incandescent lighting and at least 50% more efficient than last generation fluorescent lighting. When compared to the environmental headaches that surround the new compact fluorescent screw-in bulbs, the TBSS neon light will be 60% cheaper in initial cost, will not contain deadly mercury, and require no special procedures for disposal. We anticipate having a consumer (screw in) version of the Velella lights by late summer 2012."
In December the company purchased the patents, inventory and molds of a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly neon lighting system (Velella Lighting Systems) that was created initially for the nesting of sea turtles. As announced on Friday, TBSS has initiated a pilot program along Florida beaches to assess the effectiveness of its recently acquired energy efficient neon lighting in meeting all Turtle Conservation Coastal Lighting Regulations.Sea turtles in Florida nest almost always under the cover of night to protect themselves from predators and overheating. As a result of this survival instinct, beach resorts and beach homes are prohibited from using floodlights, which impede nesting and limit beach activity at night due to safety and liability concerns. With the high profile interest in assisting sea turtles during the crucial reproductive process, TBSS believes that the market for "turtle compliant" lighting on beachfront properties, including marinas, hotels and residences is significant.
Florida and U.S. statutes protect sea turtle nesting sites and also require strict adherence to lighting limitations. Considering the amount of coastal development in Florida, there is a high level of use for the artificial beachfront lighting. However, lighting that produces a glare can make beaches unsuitable for sea turtle nesting.
TBSS International believes that its neon lighting provides a long awaited energy efficient solution, and believes that its lighting system is the only light in the marketplace that turtles barely discern and thereby does not interfere with their natural instinct to nest on the beaches. If TBSS' pilot program is successful, the company will have the opportunity to gain a significant market share for installations on beach property.
TBSS will be manufacturing Velella Lighting in the Pensacola, FL area and has plans to open additional facilities across the country. Initially the company expects to employ close to 1,000 people, ultimately the company expects to employ somewhere in excess of 10,000 employees when the company is in full operation.
While the Velella system meets or exceeds requirements set by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and Independent Electrical Engineering Reports, its delivery to consumers will be welcome: brighter, safer, and cheaper to operate, because Velella Lighting is designed to run on a patented 12 volt DC power supply.
Todd Spinelli, CEO of TBSS International, Inc. said "We are proud to be able to bring this safe and energy-efficient lighting product to the public. The product has proven itself in parking lots, beach lighting and residential street lighting, and is a viable alternative to traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights including the expensive compact fluorescent bulb that Congress is jamming down our throats."
Velella Lighting System Benefits Summary vs. LED Lighting
- Velella Lights are non-corrosive unlike LED Lights
- Velella Lights have an up to 28 year lifespan vs. up to 4 year Limited warranties for identified competitive LED products*
- Velella Lights have higher longevity, lower replacement rates and lower maintenance costs than LED
- Velella Lights are competitive or lower in price than LED Light alternatives*
- LED lights have serious disposal/land fill issues due to quantities of nickel and lead heavy metals and other toxic components.
- Velella Lights use less energy than LED lights.
- Velella Lights generates no heat while LED lights radiate heat. Therefore, Velella Lights do not measurably impact cooling costs and, by definition, are more efficient in use of electricity.
- Velella Lights are physiologically more comfortable to the human eye reducing eye strain and possible damage caused by harsher LED light illumination.*1
- Velella Lights are not disruptive to Turtle Nesting patterns and comply with existing Turtle Conservation Coastal Lighting Regulations*
* Further specific details are subject to specific analysis of various LED lighting products on the market. |
*1 as per American Eye Association studies. |
ANNUAL OFFICE LIGHTING OPERATING COST COMPARISON
30 Standard Industrial 2'x 4' -4 Bulb Fluorescent Fixtures (typical 2000 SqFt. Office)*
- Annual Electricity Cost -($162.01 per unit x 30) - $4,860.30
- Annual Cooling Cost - $601.92
- Annual Maintenance Costs -($31 .14 per unit x 30) - $934.20
- Total Fluorescent Lighting Office Costs - $6,396.42
30 Velella 2' x 4' -5 Bulb Commercial Fixtures (typical 2000 SqFt. Office)*
- Annual Electricity Cost -($15.75 per unit x 30) - $472.50
- Annual Cooling Cost - $0
- Annual Maintenance Costs $0
- Total Velella Light Office Costs - $472.50
- Average Annual Savings using Velella Lightning International - $5,923.92
* Costs as per Florida Power and Light (FP&L) 2011 price rates |
Spinelli adds, "As production gears up and manufacturing is moved to the U.S., we plan to open facilities across the country, and will need to fill thousands of positions in manufacturing, and marketing. In addition to saving Americans dollars in up front and operational costs for lighting, we hope to assist in lowering the unemployment rate in our home state of Florida."
Investors and shareholders are encouraged to send their e-mails to IR@tbssinternational.com to be added to the company's e-mail database for future press releases.
Media are invited to be added to the company's e-mail database for future media news and updates by sending e-mails to media@tbssinternational.com.
About TBSS International, Inc.
TBSS International is a domestic and international service company with service contracts in different sectors such as gold mining, oil drilling, water well drilling, trenching and construction and recently entered the energy efficient lighting market. The management team of TBSS has been in the construction industry since 1950 with a strong reputation for completing contracts on time and within budgets. TBSS's competitive advantage stems from the company's joint venture partners, their respective technological expertise and proprietary technology and the company's own intellectual property. The corporate website is at http://www.tbssinternational.com
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Contact:
TBSS International IR
855-OIL-GOLD
855-645-4653 Press 1 for IR
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SOURCE TBSS International, Inc.
