DALLAS-Manufacturers showing new products at the Dallas International Lighting Market, which officially opened yesterday, said that the industry is exhibiting signs of improvement—though it still has a long way to go.
“People feel like they can go further out on the ledge than before,” said Jeff Dross, senior product manager, Kichler. “The mood is more upbeat and people feel like we’ve gotten over the worst of it.”
Kit Hastings, sales manager, Hubbardton Forge, has been meeting with lighting showrooms he’s never worked with before. “They’re looking for something to take business to the next level.” The company’s showroom was even busy on Wednesday, he added, before the show’s official start day.
Along with 750 new products, Philips debuted its new showroom on the third floor of the Trade Mart, which pulls together its brands Thomas Lighting, Forecast Lighting and Philips. The Philips line released a number of LED products, including the Eurotech sleek Ledino group and ecomodes, both of which consisted mostly of fixtures.
Philips also showed home lighting accessories that are launching to the U.S. market. Several products give off colored light, including a wine chiller and vase, as well as a remote controlled color light that can change colors. The Thomas line had a “refreshed look” said Ellen McCarthy, senior manager, marketing, and has minimalist style and artistic lines. Shade materials include black silk string, natural elements such as bamboo, and laser-cut metal.
Kichler also had a slew of new products, including an art glass item called Spyro that uses uniform color to “do something interesting with the shape,” said Jeff Dross. “We’re doing a lot with cut stone.” Lacey is another new item that has a double diffuser shade; “it makes for a real comfortable light source,” Dross said.
Eurofase premiered four lines that used colored LED lights, which the consumer could remotely control. “LED is the real buzzword,” said Ryan Stewart, communications manager. “We’re building on that and trying to make it fun.”
Other trends included smoked crystal, glass and acrylic, Stewart said, as well as laser-cut metal.
Kenroy debuted its new showroom on the fourth floor. It also premiered its mirror line, with about 40 items in a variety of styles.
