Taste for Pendant Lights Turn From Ornate to Simple in 2008

Some insiders would claim that 2007 was a blindingly successful year for the crystal pendant light segment worldwide, which was evident if one had visited one of the benchmarks of furniture trade shows: Meuble Paris or the Paris Furniture Show that is held annually in January. The global economy had yet gone into a tailspin in early 2007, which could explain the buoyant demand for ornate crystal lights of various styles. Such trend appears to be changing towards simplicity in 2008, a trend likely shaped by the downturn in the global economy that has sapped disposable incomes, and was largely confirmed at the 2008 Paris Furniture Show at Paris Le Bourget from Jan. 24 to 28, as well as the concurrent MAISON&OBJET and Cologne Furniture Fair.

One featured designer, Francois Bernard, to be at the 2009 Paris Furniture Fair proposes the Slow Tech theme with the sub-theme Less Speed for Better Living, whose work advocates returning to the slow-track; while the Nelly Rod style agency, also to be on hand at the 2009 show, will present designs tinged with key terms as "metropuritan, eco-urbanites," that suggest the new generation of city dwellers are looking for asceticism. Perhaps such trend-setters will also set the pace for lighting suppliers next year.

Lighting makers in China who are adequately financed and capable of tapping global markets have been making the most of local and foreign technologies that are readily accessible. Besides filling foreign OEM orders, increasingly more suppliers are looking for business opportunities overseas as the local economy has been battered by plummeting stock markets. One clear advantage wielded by mainland Chinese lighting suppliers is cost efficiencies, volume production, and an inimitable capacity to integrate traditional Chinese aesthetics into pendant lights, such as the classical Chinese red, ceramics, and Chinese motifs.

Although most mainland Chinese lighting makers are modest in size, a few may be classed as significant operators. Three such firms are profiled below.

Huayi Lighting

Founded in 1986, the Huayi Group is in Guzhen Town, Guangdong Province, also dubbed the capital of the Chinese lighting sector. Justifiably called a standard-bearer in the Chinese lighting line, the group has five subsidiaries specializing in casting, hardware, electrical plating, assembly, packaging, and printing. Being ISO9001 certified, Huayi Lighting also delivers products that are foreign-quality certified. In 2002, Huayi Lighting was honored as a famous brand in Guangdong Province.

As the core brand of the group, Huayi Lighting offers an extensive product lineup, including lights for homes, businesses, engineering and outdoor applications, with residential lighting being the majority; while all the items are designed in-house. And many also boast energy-saving features.

The first lighting manufacturer in Guzhen, Huayi Lighting is listed and turns out European-style products, which are shipped mainly to the Middle East and Europe, with annual exports totaling some 230 million yuan.

Running over 30 factories in Guzhen Town equipped with integrated production lines, Huayi Lighting exports half its output, with the balance distributed within China. Besides counting four-star and higher hotels among its major clients-for example the world-famous Hotel Buri Al Arab in Dubai-the lighting maker also offers design and installation services, as well as being the major supplier for various hotels in Macao.

Huayi Lighting's team of 100-plus engineers enables the company to expertly handle product design to lighting engineering projects. And the company has a sizable domestic sales network consisting of 2,000 dedicated retailers.

Ming Star Lighting Co., Ltd.

A veteran exporter, Ming Star Lighting specializes in crystal lighting that feature unique designs, elegant styling, fine craftsmanship, and well-matched colors, all of which have attracted numerous buyers. Some 80-90% of the company's output is exported, reaching about US$6 million a year, mainly to the U.K., Sweden, and Holland.

Besides diversifying into the domestic market this year, which now absorbs 10-20% of its output, the company moved last year its factory of 200-plus workers from Shenzhen to Dongguan, both in Guangdong Province. Most of the products made feature in-house designs but made-to-order designs are also welcome. Its team of 20-plus designers enable Ming Star Lighting to turn out new products every month, many of which are patented.

Di May Lighting Co., Ltd.

With a workforce of over 300, Di May Lighting turns out various desk lamps, floor lamps, and lampshades, with 90% of its output exported, mainly to the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia; while annual revenue tops US$4 million.

Specializing in popularly-priced items, the company delivers mostly mid- to low priced products that are tagged US$20 apiece. The product range is UL-approved and feature in-house designs. The supplier introduced a USB-outlet light for PCs at the Paris Furniture Show that stirred considerable attention among buyers, with another notable item being a patented camera-integrated desk lamp.