Hong Kong Spring Lighting Fair — What’s in It for Us

April 19, 2019

Line Goyette

This was my first time at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), and the 11th occasion of this event, which was organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). This was a real trade show, and trade was at the heart of the four-day event (April 6-9). Attending the fair were 21,000 buyers from 124 countries and regions, visiting more than 1,430 exhibitors from nine countries.  

On the first day of the Lighting Fair was the Asian Lighting Forum with representatives from OSRAM, Signify, Illumination Physics, Tridonic, and LEDinside. They discussed everyday applications for connected lighting systems, the latest lighting technologies, and upcoming trends. The next day, the Smart Lighting: IoT and Its Supply Chain forum had experts from Tuya, Alibaba, A.I. Labs and JK Cloud, who talked about applications and opportunities with smart lighting products. Both were well attended and it was very interesting to see that trends in lighting are global. 

HKTDC organized a media breakfast with selected exhibitors — a welcome initiative as we were not familiar with all the exhibitors. Among them was Dimon Technology Limited, a green technology and lighting design and manufacturing company with research centres in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the United Kingdom. Over the past three years the company has completed large-scale smart public lighting projects in Europe, Hong Kong, Macao and North America. It was also Dr. Joseph Tsui, Dimon’s Executive Director, first time joining the Spring Lighting Fair. Dimon Technology Limited presented us its Nano lighting control system, which was specially designed in the United Kingdom. The system can transform basic room controls into an IoT-powered, wireless-controlled solution for simpler, more cost-effective and energy-saving operations.

On the trade show floor, featured zones included Smart Lighting & Solutions and the newly launched Innobuild. With the addition of Innobuild, the HKTDC teamed up with the Hong Kong Green Building Council to organize the Smart Building Solution in Energy Efficiency forum on April 8. Representatives from Negawatt, En-trak Hong Kong and Planon Hong Kong shared different ways to enhance the energy efficiency of various building materials. Trends are really global. 

During the Lighting Fair I had the privilege to spend time with Canada’s leading manufacturers, Standard/Stanpro. While Standard has been a leader in the push side of the business Stanpro had established a leadership position on the specification project side of the business; hence, a greater need to come to the Hong Kong show. Both organizations have been coming to Asia for over 15 years to work with partners to ensure that only quality products bearing their brand names are sold in Canada. 

“Quality is always the most important criterion when selecting products,” said Jeff Beare, Executive VP of Marketing at Standard/Stanpro. “The second most important criterion is price — ensuring we remain competitive in a competitive world.” 

The company always ties factory visits in mainland China with the Hong Kong shows in both March and October. The evolution in technology has forced them and the lighting industry to travel to Asia on a more frequent basis. “Ten years ago the world was transforming to LED. Today it’s nothing more than a commodity, and now the same is happening with controls. Controls used to be a complicated system for building managers and even more for day-to-day users, and today or tomorrow this technology will be what LEDs are today, nothing more than a commodity. Lighting controls will be nothing more than a simple download from a smart phone app,” added Beare.

Walking around the show it’s apparent that this is true: all fixtures are becoming smart enabled.

Hong Kong’s lighting manufacturers mostly produce for overseas importers and distributors, including well known American and European brands. In view of intensified competition, ODM has outpaced OEM as their major business. A few companies also promote lighting products with their own brand names or trademarks. 

Compliance with overseas requirements is an important issue. Hong Kong companies are capable of meeting the technical requirements of relevant authorities in overseas markets. These include the safety requirements of UL/ETL listing or equivalent in the U.S., as well as the relevant safety directives and CE requirements of the EU. Others include CSA safety standards for exports to Canada. 

{loadposition slideShow36}


Line Goyette is Managing Editor of LDS; linegoyette@kerrwil.com

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Leviton| Viscor Announces Julian Verrall as New Director of Engineering & Product Management

    Leviton|Viscor Announces Julian Verrall as New Director of Engineering & Product Management

    Leviton|Viscor is pleased to announce the appointment of Julian Verrall as their new Director of Engineering and Product Management, effective immediately. With over 13 years of experience in engineering and product management, Julian has successfully led design and new product development initiatives, demonstrating strong leadership and technical expertise. His extensive knowledge and strategic vision will… Read More…

  • Magic Lite Announces New Partnership with Prolux Lighting - Representation

    Magic Lite Announces New Partnership with Prolux Lighting

    Magic Lite is thrilled to officially join forces with the amazing team at Prolux Lighting & Controls with a new representation agreement! Thank you for the warm welcome! The Magic Lite team is excited to be part of Prolux’s strong lineup of trusted lighting brands. From kitchens to commercial projects, Magic Lite can’t wait to… Read More…


Design

  • LEDVANCE: Modern High Ceiling Lighting Ideas 

    LEDVANCE: Modern High Ceiling Lighting Ideas 

    High ceilings, distinctive in contemporary architecture, create a sense of spaciousness and timeless ambiance. However, lighting these elevated spaces presents unique challenges. Whether you need a cozy light for your bedroom or a practical solution for your kitchen, Ledvance can provide inspiration and guidance to effectively illuminate your high-ceilinged space.​ High ceilings pose intricate lighting… Read More…

  • Magic Lite: How 5CCT Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Lights Deliver Maximum ROI

    Magic Lite: How 5CCT Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Lights Deliver Maximum ROI

    Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any commercial or residential project, yet it is often overlooked when calculating long-term return on investment (ROI). 5CCT ultra-thin recessed ceiling lights have emerged as a game-changer, offering superior efficiency, lower installation costs, and long-term financial savings for contractors, architects, and real estate developers. Unlike traditional recessed fixtures,… Read More…


New Products

  • Barbican: Jut Box INNI Acoustic Fixtures

    Barbican: Jut Box INNI Acoustic Fixtures

    The Acoustic Jut INNI by Barbican offers the possibility adding dimension, color, and texture to an otherwise flat and ordinary ceiling. The Acoustic Jut INNI, expands the Barbican Jut family by combining a cost-effective light engine with PET felt (including recycled content) in several shape and regress height options, providing a cost-effective option for an… Read More…

  • Zaneen: Adamas Luminaire

    Zaneen: Adamas Luminaire

    Adamas is a surface and suspension light that can elevate a space with its radiant charm. This exquisite lighting fixture is not just an illumination source; it’s an eye-catching centerpiece that adds a touch of elegance to any room. Adamas takes its inspiration from the timeless beauty of diamonds. Its multifaceted design captures and reflects light… Read More…