Dubai, UAE: Global lighting manufacturers are enjoying a period of sustained Middle East business growth, with those establishing a physical presence in the region benefitting the most from close contact with clients and seeing projects through.
British lighting brand Luceco provides a telling example of the benefits of setting up shop in a regional lighting fixtures market that’s estimated to currently be worth US$4.4 billion. Since announcing its regional launch at Dubai’s Light Middle East trade fair in 2015, the European brand has enjoyed double-digit year-on-year business growth.
Venkat Raman, Luceco’s General Manager in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said since its Middle East introduction in 2015, Luceco’s regional business revenues have surged 30 percent annually: “As of June 2018, on a regional level, we’ve completed 250 projects across 16 different sectors since mid-2015,” said Raman.
“Indoor commercial and industrial remain Luceco’s stronghold segments and due to our recent acquisition of a 30 year-old British specialist in outdoor lighting, Kingfisher Lighting, we’re expecting growth in outdoor as well. We’re addressing product gaps in each segment, which will complement the double digit growth in the coming years.”
Luceco will again return to Light Middle East in 2018, the region’s premier exhibition, conference, and awards programme for lighting design and technology.
The UK Company will feature alongside more than 340 exhibitors from 25 countries when the three-day event opens from 23-25 September at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Added Raman: “Light Middle East 2015 was the first show regionally when we launched our brand, and the reach was fantastic to the target audience in a short span. Since then, I believe our market exposure is increasing year-on-year, which is encouraging us to participate in 2018.
“At Luceco, we constantly improve the design and efficiency of our luminaires, which is the key strength for our quick success globally and regionally. A new range within the indoor commercial, industrial, and outdoor sectors will be displayed at Light Middle East 2018.”
Intra Lighting is another returning Light Middle East 2018 exhibitor that recently opened a Dubai office serving the regional market. The Slovenian headquartered provider of smart lighting solutions will look to entice lighting and interior designers, architects, and consultants with its newly launched range of LED human-centric luminaires.
Marino Furlan, Intra Lighting’s President, said: “Since opening our Dubai office we’ve gone from strength to strength and we see that continuing in the future while Light Middle East 2018 will further open up new avenues and introductions for us in the region.
“As a luminaire supplier, we’ve participated in the reconstruction of the Arab Bank HQ in Cairo. Our challenge in this project was to support banking needs of the 21st century and provide lighting progressive solutions that support Egyptian architecture.
“We’ve noticed a rise in projects such as supermarkets and shopping malls where people want to spend not only money, but their time,” added Furlan. “We believe shopping is an activity experienced with all five senses in which lighting plays an important role, not just to bring attention to the products in shops and shopping windows, but also to create an ambience that impacts on people’s well-being.”
Meanwhile, Italian manufacturer Flussirari is a debut exhibitor at Light Middle East 2018, but has worked on more than 20 UAE projects over the last couple of years. CEO Mike Khabour said the company’s business in the MENA region is flourishing.
“Our company has expanded in the MENA region over last five years, supplying many commercial and private projects, and working with most five star hotels along with high level construction companies and consultants,” said Khabour.
“We’ve many projects under process in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. We’ll present at Light Middle East 2018 our latest advanced lighting technology in terms of sensors and energy saving LEDs.
“Additionally, we’ll have many new decorative lighting models for interior designers and architects, while we’ll also present our unique suspended lighting design which is our best seller in Italy.”
Beachside Lighting from Hawaii, which will display its solid brass luminaires at Light Middle East 2018, is also no stranger to the region, and has already been involved in successful projects including The Address Boulevard and Dubai Hills in Dubai, Sharma Complex in Saudi Arabia, Oman’s Dhofar Beach Resort and Almaza City Centre in Egypt.
“We feel that Light Middle East is a great opportunity to engage lighting professionals locally, and many American manufacturers ignore this part of the world,” said Beachside’s President and Founder Rick Benedict.
“We’re proud of our USA-made fixtures, but understand there’s a market for quality beyond the US. We’ve one of the harshest environments in Hawaii, and know that this has been a good proving ground for coastal areas and deserts of the GCC.”
Light Middle East will enter its 13th edition when doors open in two months in Dubai. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “With demand for cutting edge lighting solutions on the rise in the Middle East, and leading global lighting brands being involved in large scale projects, the prospects of the regional lighting fixtures market continues to look rosy.
“Light Middle East 2018 will feature a parade of lighting industry luminaries and will provide a comprehensive showcase of all the leading edge developments that are driving the industry forward.”
Light Middle East returns in 2018 with all its popular highlights including THINKLIGHT – a three day conference focusing on the key areas of lighting, namely architecture, interior, and landscape design.
The Light Middle East Awards will again bring the curtains down on the annual showpiece event, where more than 700 industry professionals will celebrate outstanding regional and global lighting projects during a gala dinner ceremony at Dubai’s Westin Hotel.
Other returning features include Light.ication, the Middle East’s only competition nurturing the next generation of regional lighting designers, architects, and engineers; and Ready Steady Light Middle East, a live competition during the show where teams are given 90 minutes to design and install a lighting scheme with a range of provided equipment.
More information is available at: www.lightme.net.