Scotts Blog
International Builders Show 2012February 9, 2012
We wanted to update our consumers on an issue which has been discussed quite a bit lately -- compatibility of the Vu1 bulb with dimmers. As we have noted, our ESL bulbs have the ability to be dimmed, which is a clear advantage over many of our competitors in the energy-efficient bulb arena. What we have shared in common with these competitors is a compatibility issue with some models of the older generation of dimmers, which require a minimum wattage level to function -- a minimum well above the 19.5 watts at which the Vu1 R-30 bulb operates.
We have begun a dialogue with the larger commercial dimmer switch manufacturers -- many of whom are already addressing the issues inherent with ESL, CFL, LED and other low-wattage bulbs -- the photo, provided, was taken this week at the International Builders Show in Orlando, where we have representatives on the ground working to tell the ESL story. We will be asking the bulb manufacturers to test our bulbs with their dimmers, and, conversely, we will undertake our own testing with existing dimmers to certify those that are tested as compatible with the ESL bulb. We will keep you posted on our progress.
I hope this update is helpful to you, and of course we will continue to update you on product developments as they occur. We also invite you, our consumer, to let us know if you encounter specific issues with dimmers in your home or business, so we can conduct further research.
Thank you,
Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
January 30, 2012
The February/March 2012 issue of Handy Magazine has selected the Vu1's R30 ESL bulb as a 2012 Handy Innovation Awards Nominee. This places it in unique company, as Handy's reviewers choose just a handful of new and innovative products each issue for this honor. Handy is the official publication of the Handyman Club of America, which boasts nearly three quarters of a million members. We have included a snapshot of the article below.
Thank you,Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
Vu1 Will Continue to SHINE On!
January 26, 2012
It has come to our attention that a former executive of the firm has sold just over $150,000 of shares over the past 12 months, including roughly $100,000 since the beginning of last October. The former executive also had an additional 165,000 shares which he had given as collateral to a loan company and were subsequently sold on the open market. This former executive left the company during the summer of 2010 and by the conclusion of the year, was no longer in contact with the management team or board of directors.
We wanted to bring this to the attention of our investors as soon as it came to light. This former executive was incorrectly labeled as an ‘insider’, due to the total percentage of shares he owned. We felt it was important to correct this information and to convey that no current members of our management team or board of directors is a seller of shares. Our current management team and board of directors are in full support of Vu1’s growth strategy and are confident we will continue to “shine” on through out 2012 and beyond.
Thank you,Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
Thank You
January 27, 2012
I wanted to personally thank our Vu1 consumers, investors and Facebook followers for their suggestions regarding the type of features they would like to see on our web site. We currently are developing a full-fledged new site that will launch in the very near future, replacing the temporary site that is currently online. The new site will feature a host of detailed information about our products and will be a repository of information for consumers, investors and others interested in our ESL technology. Additionally, it will have a robust investor relations section which will offer the most up to date information on Vu1, including all corporate disclosure statements and SEC-required reports.
As we develop this site, we would like you to have a voice in what you see as the most beneficial features. Please feel free to share your thoughts at our Facebook page, or contact us directly via the contact information at the current web site.
We thank you for your continued interest in Vu1 and look forward to posting a new web site soon that is as enlightening as our ESL bulbs!
Thank you,Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
Vu1 Will Continue to SHINE On!
January 26, 2012
It has come to our attention that a former executive of the firm has sold just over $150,000 of shares over the past 12 months, including roughly $100,000 since the beginning of last October. The former executive also had an additional 165,000 shares which he had given as collateral to a loan company and were subsequently sold on the open market. This former executive left the company during the summer of 2010 and by the conclusion of the year, was no longer in contact with the management team or board of directors.
We wanted to bring this to the attention of our investors as soon as it came to light. This former executive was incorrectly labeled as an ‘insider’, due to the total percentage of shares he owned. We felt it was important to correct this information and to convey that no current members of our management team or board of directors is a seller of shares. Our current management team and board of directors are in full support of Vu1’s growth strategy and are confident we will continue to “shine” on through out 2012 and beyond.
Thank you,Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
Vu1 Corporation Provides Sales, Manufacturing and Funding Update
January 25, 2012
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
We are thrilled by the strong response to the recent launch of the Vu1 R30 bulbs on Lowes.com. The site was flooded with orders such that we are already preparing a stronger national in-store launch to accommodate the high level of interest. In addition, we just received a follow-up purchase order (PO) from Lowes.com and expect to have the site restocked soon.
We thank everyone who purchased Vu1 R30 bulbs at Lowes.com or attempted to make a purchase. Thus far, the reviews on the site for the R30 have been outstanding; we urge you to continue reviewing the R30 bulbs on Lowes.com as you use it.
As a result of the strong initial reception to the product, we have received offers from both company insiders and people with whom we have existing relationships, to finance Vu1's growth at terms we believe are in the best interest of all shareholders and better than what are currently available in the public capital markets. We have therefore decided to pull our current S-1 Registration and complete a private transaction that will give us the ability to fund the reorders we have received from Lowe's.
I am also pleased to report that the products manufactured by Huayi Lighting have been internally qualified prior to the start of the Chinese New Year. This is a significant milestone achievement for Vu1 as we have been working intensely with Huayi Lighting since October to qualify our product. We have also been working with a number of local Chinese suppliers and because this is our second time developing a manufacturing line, we were able to avoid the usual pitfalls and in fact were able to achieve quality levels on some key sub-assemblies that far exceed our current production in the Czech Republic. We have also accomplished successful life testing on the various components.
We are very excited about these new production capabilities with Huayi Lighting and will begin mass production after the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration, which is expected to conclude on or around February 7th. Because all of the products for the nationwide Lowe’s store launch will come from this facility, the formidable production capabilities of Huayi Lighting will greatly support this rollout effort. As always, we thank you for your continued support of Vu1.
Thank you,Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation
An update from Scott Blackstone, President of Vu1 Corporation
January 9, 2012
We are excited that the R30 bulbs, in which we have invested so much effort and resources into bringing to market, are about to be available nationwide through our partnership with Lowe's. In any new business relationship, there can be growing pains as the parties work to do their best to foster mutual success. This has been the case with the Lowes.com online launch of the Vu1 products, and we have heard -- and sympathized with -- the comments from our eager future consumers and investors, posted on Facebook and in other forums.
I wanted to take the opportunity to address the most frequently discussed topics, in an effort to reassure you that we are very much on track to get the Vu1 bulbs in your hands, just as soon as possible. As always, we appreciate your support.
1. Have the R30 bulbs been delivered to Lowe's?
A quantity of R30 bulbs was delivered to Lowe's prior to the original launch date of online sales. These bulbs remain in Lowes' system, awaiting the sales launch and subsequent fulfillment.
2. Why has information about the sales situation been so limited?
Vu1 has been working closely with Lowe's to gain access to credible, concrete information regarding the online sales launch. Once solid information regarding a specific launch date is available, Vu1 with communicate this information via all the appropriate communications channels.
3. Why can't I buy a bulb through other channels?
We remain committed to generating adequate inventory for sale through our relationship with Lowe's, as we believe their nationwide distribution network represents the best way to get the most bulbs in consumers' hands in the most efficient manner. We do expect that other retail outlets will be added to our sales network in the very near future.
4. What has caused the online sales delay?
Simply put, the first-in-class Vu1 ESL bulbs have necessitated the creation of a brand new lighting category. This type of change to the architecture of a comprehensive e-commerce website such as Lowes.com can take considerable time to achieve; we have received that the necessary changes are in their final phase of completion.
Scott Blackstone
CEO, Vu1® Corporation