Starting from modest roots in 2009, Switch Lighting is now a global leader in LED luminaire design. As well as supplying the increasing demand for their products in New Zealand for residential, hospitality and commercial facilities, the company is also exporting from its factory in Bolt Road, Nelson, to the world.
Co-founders Gerard Woods, with a background in mechanical engineering, and Jon Maunsell, with experience in electronics, who had been experimenting with LED lighting in the late 1990s, joined forces to create a lighting company that has won numerous awards in lighting innovation and design.
“There is increasing awareness of how lighting can really enhance both interior and exterior environments and contribute to health and well-being,” says Gerard. “Through our showrooms and lighting specialists and also at international lighting events, we are working with a wide range of professionals and homeowners to educate about how lighting has completely changed in this regard. People are consistently blown away by the effects that can be achieved with our products when they see the many options we have available.”
“LED lighting plays an important role in energy conservation, reducing both electricity consumption and costs,” says Gerard. “It is innovative, sustainably viable, long-lasting and durable which makes it appropriate for every kind of architectural project, be it residential or commercial.”
Selling into Australia was the start of the company’s export journey. “Australians are embracing the opportunity to use products that are made down-under,” he says. “There is a move away from goods produced by the likes of China and a major focus of ours is to have as many of our components manufactured in New Zealand as possible, a principle which is highly regarded,” says Gerard.
“Our company employs over forty staff including a research and development team that have 180 years of engineering experience between them. Many of our products include around twenty components and all the assembly is done here in our Nelson factory.”
As Europeans have begun to learn about Switch Lighting, the company has begun to export further afield and has also been contracted to provide the lighting for new, large, high-end cruise liners being produced in Italy and Germany and some super yachts.
“We have already completed three cruise ship lighting fitouts,” says Gerard. “These are massive projects and it is exciting to have our expertise recognised to provide the bespoke requirements of clients at that level.”
“We do all our own electronic and hardware designs and are now making our own Bluetooth lighting controls,” he says. “The latest development includes the ability to select colour temperatures which can be varied, thus adding to the ambience of a space.”
Switch Lighting has developed into a thriving business that is being recognised the world over for its technological advances and contribution to contemporary, sustainable, quality lighting.
“We are proud of what we are achieving as a team. With our commitment to product innovation, we will continue to keep reshaping the global lighting landscape by producing our award-winning products here in Nelson,” says Gerard.
switch-lighting.co.nz
