Cree's leadership begins with innovative materials, primarily silicon carbide (SiC), that provide high-efficiency performance for numerous semiconductor applications. Using SiC as a platform material, Cree has spent over 20 years developing an array of new technologies that far surpass traditional ones. 

LED Lighting

Cree leads the LED lighting revolution and is making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. 

Cree first brought the blue LED to market in 1989, and today Cree's XLamp® LEDs have continually exceeded industry standards for brightness and efficiency. Indeed, XLamp LEDs were the first "lighting-class" LEDs – LEDS bright enough to be used in general-illumination applications, such as desk lamps, ceiling fixtures and street lights. In addition, Cree's extensive line of high-brightness LEDs are also introducing new performance levels to outdoor video displays and decorative lighting. 

Recognizing the revolutionary potential of LED lighting, in 2008 Cree expanded its product lines into LED-lighting applications, such as ceiling fixtures. Today, products from Cree's Lighting group are available to builders and homeowners through The Home Depot and other retailers around the world. Cree's direct customers include national restaurant chains and government agencies.

After pioneering developments in the LED indoor-lighting market, Cree expanded into outdoor lighting, in 2011, with the acquisition of Ruud Lighting, Inc., a leader in outdoor LED lighting. Ruud added an extensive LED-lighting product line to Cree's portfolio, including the BetaLED and LEDway brands.

As part of this acquisition, Cree gained additional lighting brands, including Ruud Direct, E-conolight, Kramer Lighting, Beta-Kramer and Beta Lighting.

In March 2013, Cree began offering LED light bulbs (40-W and 60-W equivalent) for the consumer market.

Power and Wireless Devices

Leveraging the energy efficiency of its materials technology, Cree is also a major manufacturer of semiconductors used in power conversion and wireless communications. Cree's Z-Rec™ line of power-switching diodes offers increased efficiency and reduced size in numerous applications, such as network-server power supplies, solar inverters and industrial motor drives. 

In 2011, Cree launched its Z-FET™ line of silicon-carbide MOSFETs, which can provide record efficiencies while improving reliability in power-switching applications.

Likewise, high-performance devices developed by Cree's Wireless group both boost the power and offer new levels of efficiency for applications such as cellular and radar signals. 

In all of its markets, Cree continues to innovate relentlessly. In the fixtures that light our homes and streets, solar panels that generate electricity or the cell towers that link us all, Cree produces high-performance, high-efficiency solutions that empower our lives.

For detailed information on Cree, Inc. read our past annual reports.