Steve Johnson, CEO of Horticulture Lighting Group (HLG), addressed members of the Union County Business & Professional Association (UCBPA) at its August meeting.
Johnson related how HLG grow lights developed into the world's best horticulture lights in less than five years. He said that his desire to grow tommy toe tomatoes year round sparked his quest to develop the perfect grow light.
He began in a shed in his backyard in 2016. As he tinkered with various types of lighting, he finally designed his own grow light. Through his uncle and a mutual online friend he was able to produce 10 to 12 lights a week.
In 2017, his connection with Jeff Whitehead enabled him to develop an improved housing for the light and ramped up his production to 500 lights per week.
In 2018 Chris Castleberry of Corrugated Box Company helped solve some of the packaging and shipping issues.
Then Samsung called and Horticulture Lighting Group became known for the most efficient horticulture light in the world.
Castleberry is now the Chief Operations Officer and the national headquarters is at 3505 Hwy. 33 in Maynardville.
Johnson related that the plan is to expand to 200 employees by 2025. He says he plans to stay in Union County and grow his business and encourages other businesses to do the same.
The next speaker for UCBPA will be Neal Denton, noted Knox County Horticulturalist and UT Extension Agent. His topic is “Diggin' in the Dirt.” The meeting will be at noon on September 8 at Hardee's in Maynardville.