Hello everyone,

As the end of fluorescent lighting approaches, we’ve started to see many fluorescent tubes—such as special-size models, very cheap no-name halophosphate types, and Panasonic branded ones like the FHF32—marked with long alphanumeric manufacturing codes like the one shown in the image.

The only common factor seems to be that they are made in China.

Does anyone know which manufacturer actually produces these?

On the packaging of Panasonic fluorescent lamps sold in China, the manufacturer is listed as Beijing Matsushita Lighting Co.Ltd. I believe that the Japanese version and the Chinese version might use the same production line.

I wish that were the case, but unfortunately....

More recently manufactured lamps no longer bear the “MB” mark, which identifies products made at Matsushita’s Beijing factory. The serial numbering system is also different, and in the case of linear fluorescent lamps only, the end caps are clearly different as well. (Both Japanese-made lamps and those produced at Matsushita’s Beijing factory had distinctive end-cap designs that were unique to Matsushita/Panasonic and unlike those of other manufacturers, making them easy to identify.)

Even on LG, opinions are divided. Some suggest that the manufacturer might be Foshan Lighting Co., Ltd., while others disagree and suggest that it could instead be Opple Lighting.