The purpose of industrial lighting is to enable quick and accurate work, safely. Traditional factory spaces for heavy engineering and manufacturing have high ceilings combined with a dirty environment. High bay lighting is most suitable in these areas.

More modern manufacturing areas tend to have lower ceilings and a cleaner environment. Linear fluorescent lighting is suitable for these areas and a selection of mounting methods exist, from track mounting to catenary systems.

Lighting should take into account the possibility of moving overhead gantries and moving vehicles such as forklift trucks.