Hudson Valley Lighting Group acquires Sonneman

2025.07.31

Hudson Valley Lighting Group has acquired fellow lighting brand Sonneman, adding the company known for its architectural LED offerings to a family of brands that also includes Mitzi, Corbett, Troy Lighting, CSL and its namesake Hudson Valley Lighting.

“Sonneman represents the best of what modern lighting can be—intelligent, artistic, and purposefully designed,” said David Littman, founder and CEO of Hudson Valley Lighting Group, in a statement. Littman, who launched HVLG in 1985, was previously a co-owner of Sonneman from 2003 until 2018, when the brand was purchased by Dunes Point Capital. “Bringing this brand into the HVLG family is both a strategic move and a personal milestone. It's an opportunity to build on a legacy of innovation and to deliver even more value to our customers.”

Sonneman was originally founded in 2003 by Littman, Sonny Park and Robert Sonneman, a lighting designer who had been licensing his designs to other companies since the 1960s. Sonneman and Littman were discussing a licensing deal with HVLG in the early 2000s when Littman proposed that they instead launch the collection under Sonneman's own name, as partners. (Sonneman stepped away from the company's design studio and day-to-day operations in 2023; Park, who was CEO of the company until 2022, became executive chairman of its board.)

In acquiring the brand, HVLG looks to increase the company's crossover into the commercial design sphere, as well as expanding its offerings in the configurable LED category. “We will look to use the talents of both design and engineering teams across all businesses to develop the highest quality products for all brands [in our portfolio],” says Malaina Matheus, president of HVLG. “We're excited to introduce Sonneman to new audiences, especially interior designers, while expanding its reach into broader markets. “We're in the process of shaping our showroom and tradeshow strategy, with a focus on leveraging the strengths of our combined brands. It's  a valuable opportunity to highlight what makes each brand unique and enhance our overall presence.”

As part of the transition, Sonneman's current CEO—former Knoll chief executive Andrew Cogan, who was appointed to the role in March 2022—has parted ways with the company, and Littman will serve as CEO moving forward. Cogan's LinkedIn page currently lists his role as a senior advisor and corporate operating executive at Dunes Point Capital.