Case Study: Matandy Steel (Steel Service Center)
Hamilton, Ohio, USA
Lighting Upgrade Delivers Safer, Brighter Workspaces and Near-Elimination of Maintenance at Steel Service Center
Matandy Steel, a steel service center located in Hamilton, Ohio, specializes in flat rolled steel products in coils, sheets, and blanks for a wide range of customers, including HVAC manufacturers and OEMs. With a focus on service and responsiveness, Matandy Steel’s success depends on maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient production environment. However, upgrading the facility’s older metal halide lighting offered an opportunity to enhance visibility and support an even safer, more productive work environment while also reducing maintenance needs.
Lighting Challenges Before Dialight
Matandy Steel had been using 1000 watt and 400 watt metal halide fixtures throughout the facility. Failures were frequent. Maintenance crews were replacing lamps and ballasts several times each week. This made lighting maintenance a constant distraction from higher-value work such as equipment upkeep and operational support.
The quality of light had also deteriorated. Enhancing visibility and color quality would allow operators to view materials with greater clarity and help maintain consistently efficient workflows. Maintenance costs, downtime and energy consumption were all increasing.
Matandy Steel’s leadership, with experience in electrical operations and energy management, saw a clear opportunity for improvement.
Choosing Dialight Through a Proven Evaluation Process
Matandy Steel conducted a structured evaluation using sample fixtures from multiple manufacturers. Dialight’s fixtures delivered the visibility improvements the team was looking for. The light on the work surface was clear, bright and evenly distributed, and glare was significantly reduced.
The team also valued the detailed testing documentation provided with the Dialight fixtures. Every question regarding performance and safety was supported with technical data. That transparency helped their leadership feel confident in the long-term reliability of the solution.
This combination of clarity, documentation and support positioned Dialight as the preferred choice for the facility.
Results: Significant Improvements Across Operations
Immediate Improvement in Visibility
Operators noted a major difference in clarity and brightness after the new fixtures were installed. The color and light distribution helped employees better perform inspections, maintain accuracy and feel more confident at their workstations.
Maintenance Nearly Eliminated
Dialight fixtures eliminated the need for lamps and ballasts, dramatically reducing maintenance compared to the facility’s previous metal halide lighting system.
Stronger Operational Efficiency
With clearer light and virtually no fixture failures, the facility runs more efficiently. Maintenance teams can stay focused on equipment reliability. Operators can see their work more clearly. Work areas stay orderly and easier to manage.
Energy Savings and Sustainability
The upgrade delivered measurable long-term value:
• 352,294 kilowatt hours saved each year
• $31,706 annual electricity savings based on 2018 rates
• A total project payback of 4.3 years including fixtures, installation and disposal
• A 30% reduction in electrical load
• Lower environmental impact with no lamps, ballasts or hazardous waste
This reduction in electrical demand also supports longer life for switchgear, transformers, and electrical circuits.
Installation Snapshot:
- Steel processing and service center in Hamilton, Ohio
- Upgraded from metal halide fixtures to ~175 Dialight LED fixtures
- 352,294 kilowatt hours saved annually
- $31,706 annual energy savings
- 4.3 year project payback
- Dramatic reduction in lighting maintenance
- 30% reduction in electrical load
- Strong improvement in visibility and operator safety