Exhibit No. 23(c)






                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in the  previously  filed  Registration  statements  (Forms  S-8  No.
333-30306,  No. 333-92757,  No.  333-83707,  No.  333-34175,  No. 33-59099,  No.
33-54689) of Thomas  Industries  Inc. of our report dated January 18, 2002, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Genlyte Thomas Group LLC and
subsidiaries included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

                                                        /s/  Arthur Andersen LLP

Louisville, Kentucky
    March 14, 2002