Dynamic lighting producer RZB

The RZB product portfolio comprises interior and exterior luminaires, as well as emergency lighting solutions of the highest quality. Julia Snow spoke to Sales Director Pascal Rinckenberger about the dynamic developments in recent years.

DYNAMIC LIGHTING PRODUCER

Although the company is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, one could be forgiven for thinking that such energy can only come from a start-up enterprise: “In the last three years we have set a fast pace in product innovation with an average of 50 new products each year. Our product portfolio has experienced a fast turnaround, with 50 per cent of turnover now coming from products that are less than four years old.” reports Mr Rinckenberger.

Based in Bamberg, near Nuremburg, the company has evolved into one of the most influential enterprises in the European lighting industry. “We can say that we have developed into a true systems provider, supporting our customers with full lighting solutions, from planning through to execution,” explains Mr Rinckenberger. Around 700 employees devote themselves to innovation and the challenge of developing

and manufacturing luminaires of the highest quality, resulting in the production of more than 20,000 lighting implements each day.

The company showed strong development in the last five years, winning awards and wowing audiences at international exhibitions: “Product innovations are a strong focus, and to back this up we have invested in our production,” says Mr Rinckenberger.

International expansion

RZB has also stepped up the pace in terms of internationalization of the business: in addition to the direct representations in Europe, the company created a new office in the Middle East (Dubai) and in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), covering the Asian Pacific area. While there have been sales in the areas mentioned before, a direct representation means a change of intensity: “In these new areas, we enter just on the strength of our brand and our superior products. Building on previous business through distributors, we can now offer the full package including design, so the local presence will make a big difference.”

Innovations galore

A company that describes its new best-inclass LED spotlight as ‘a mini powerhouse and work of art’, clearly is more than passionate about its products. RZB has won more than 44 international design prizes, including the red dot design award, if design award, German Design Prize, German Design Award, and Good Design award. “The light + building fair in April this year has marked another important milestone for our company: it saw our launch into the segment of replacing fluorescent tubes with LED – this is a huge market right now. We also showed our LED profile lighting, which is a market with exceptionally high potential.”

Digital technology has accelerated the development of new possibilities in lighting. “We are good at both: Supplying traditional designs with modern technology integrated, and offering completely new solutions that were only made possible by the new technologies.” RZB also offers ‘light control+3’, a modular plug&play light management system that offers a holistic approach to quality lighting design solutions. “Whether you are looking for an energy-saving daylightdependent system or a light management

system for lighting scenes or for dynamic RGB shoplighting, our range of light management systems is so amazingly extensive that you’re bound to find the ideal solution for any office, meeting room or store.”

Much more than just lights

Traditionally RZB had the role of a generalist in the professional lighting segment, selling mainly to – and through – wholesalers, explains Mr Rinckenberger. “Increasingly though we are moving into multi-specialisation. We are talking to architects, to lighting planners and to installers direct, and we have developed special knowledge in the areas of industry lighting, shop lighting and emergency lighting. Through these direct contacts we know more about the requirements than the end customer, and we are able to support them with our in-depth knowledge – we know which type of light is best to bring out the colours of textiles in fashion boutiques for example.”

Lighting the way ahead

As a family owned enterprise RZB is growth orientated, willing to seize any opportunities or options for the stable extension of business activities.

“Germany provides the majority of the turnover and is still a place where we have strong growth. Beside this, export is the main driver and full of opportunities thanks to our innovation policy. LED technology represents 45 per cent of our turnover and is expected to rise up to 90 per cent in the next 3–4 years.”

“New players enter our market all the time,” adds Mr Rinckenberger. “ But we have a strong positioning: we combine tradition and innovation, and we can guarantee the quality of the newest products and services – without risk. We are leaders in cutting edge product innovation, but we equally provide a high degree of continuity: there is a five year guarantee on all our LED products, and we have long standing, close working partnerships with our important distributors who represent our brand out there in the market. We have been around for 75 years, and our customers know that this means expertise and stability to a high degree.” n