Focal Point

Focal Point

2019 marked our 25th anniversary. Since our inception, we have been committed to delivering exceptional products and services to specifiers and contractors. We continue to celebrate all of those who played a crucial role in supporting Focal Point since day one and will remain part of our success for years to come.

Peter Thornton Sr.

"They (the Thornton children) never shied away from a problem. They maintain the integrity of the product. They don't do anything slipshod. And that's why it's the company that it is. There's no doubt about it. I see that everyday. And in the people they hire, they want excellence and they won't settle for anything less."

- Peter Thornton Sr.
Founder and Chairman

Focal Point Through the Years

  • 1994

  • Founded by Peter Thornton Sr. and children

  • First presence at LIGHTFAIR International

     

    First products introduced are linear luminaires and architectural troffers

  • 40,000 sq. ft. facility

  • 1996

  • Skydome® recessed 2', 3' and 4' luminaires are introduced

    Skydome

  • 1998

  • Luna® troffers are introduced

    luna

  • 1999

  • New headquarters and 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility at 4201 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago

  • Verve® I and Verve II are introduced making them some of the first T5 luminaires on the market.

    Verve

  • 2003

  • Twelve linear luminaire is introduced

    Twelve

  • 2004

  • Capacity added with 56,000 sq. ft. facility

  • Avenue® A & B are introduced

    Avenue

  • 2006

  • LEAN manufacturing introduced throughout production facilities

  • 2007

  • Enters downlight business with ID MR16 family

    MR16

  • Equation® troffers are introduced

    Equation

  • 2008

  • Avenue 6 becomes Focal Point’s first TechZone™ compatible luminaire

    avenue 6

  • 2009

  • New headquarters at 4141 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, and addition of 200,000 sq. ft. of production space

    4141

  • The LEED Gold certified building also becomes the showcase for Focal Point products

    LEED

  • 2010

  • The first LED luminaires are introduced, the ID 4.5" LED downlight family

    ID LED

  • Seem® 4 is introduced

    Seem 4

  • 2011

  • ISO 9001 certified

  • 2012

  • Recognized in top 3 architectural lighting manufacturers by Contract magazine

  • 2013

  • Addition of 30,000 sq. ft. of space with building at 3835 W. 42nd street

  • Theory® is introduced and makes the cover of Architectural Lighting magazine

    Theory

  • 2014

  • Expands LED luminaire offering with Seem LED, Luna LED

     

    Nivo and ID high ceiling downlights receive a 2014 Next Generation Luminaire (NGL) award

  • 42nd Street renamed Peter Thornton Sr. Way, recognizing Focal Point’s contribution to Chicago manufacturing

    Thornton Way

  • 2016

  • Nera® linear & pendant are introduced

     

    Nera obtains prestigious 2016 Next Generation Luminaire (NGL) award and 2016 PIA Award.

    Nera

  • ID+ 3.5" family introduced

    3.5

  • 2018

  • Enters the acoustical lighting market with Seem 1 Acoustic and Skydome Edge Acoustic

    Acoustic

  • Skydome Edge is launched, featuring edge-lighting technology

    Skydome Edge

  • Apollo 8 LED, Covert Lite®, and Seem 1 Direct/Indirect luminaires win a 2018 PIA Awards

     

    Obscura® receives an Architizer A+ Award Special Mention

  • Peter Thornton Sr. is awarded the Edison Report Lifetime Achievement Award

    Lifetime Achievement

  • 2019

  • Acoustic Solutions portfolio expands with the introduction of Seem 1 Acoustic Trio.

     

    Seem 1 Acoustic Trio receives a 2019 Record Products award from Architectural Record.

    Seem 1 Acoustic Trio

  • Seem 1 Acoustic receives 2019 Architizer A+ Award.

     

    Seem 1 Acoustic, Skydome Edge Acoustic, and ID+ Cylinders recieve an Architectural SSL magazine 2019 Product Innovation Award.

  • Vertically-integrated operations with 350,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, warehousing and headquarters at 42nd street and S. Pulaski Rd., in Chicago