Ever since the mid-1940s, our factory in Fagerhult has been producing luminaires to brighten people’s lives. In that time – nearly 75 years – technologies and trends have come and gone. New materials, tools and innovations have brought the company to where we are today, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high-quality luminaires. At Fagerhult, we have closed a chapter of our history, putting traditional light bulbs to rest. Our light source production is 100% LED. Another step towards more sustainable and energy-efficient luminaire use.
Where it all began
Fagerhult’s LED journey began in 2003. At that time, we used them as emergency lighting in our luminaires. Two key issues determined how and when Fagerhult was to implement LED. Back then, the technology was considerably more expensive and not yet efficient enough compared to existing T5 fluorescent lamps. We also saw how others were using LED technology in a manner that was unacceptable to us, as it went against one of our core values, lighting comfort.
However, the technology developed rapidly and we’ve been offering LED luminaires as general lighting since 2009. At Fagerhult, we soon realised that investments were needed. Not only in expertise in this new technology, but also in equipment and in-house production capabilities.
“Many new – and at the time ‘unknown’ – LED suppliers popped up; suppliers whose knowledge of lighting technology was lacking. We had to try to get them to understand our needs,” says Kenneth Rudenbrandt, Technical Product Manager. “Having stood on the sidelines following development, we realised that LED technology was here to stay. That’s when we appointed a technical manager at Fagerhult, who through study visits, trade fairs and seminars gathered information on what others were doing and planning. This then provided a basis for further efforts in our LED technology development work.”
Quality over quantity
We have always priroitised quality. Fagerhult's own Technology Centre has been a certified test facility for INTERTEK SEMKO since 1993. This means that we can test, and third-party certify, our luminaires in-house.
“Because LED technology was so new at the time, our employees also needed training. Back then, there were no standards fully adapted to LED light sources,” explains Leif Norrby, Product Development Director at Fagerhult. “Our goal has always been to test our luminaires and guarantee the high quality we offer customers, but this was completely new ground for us and we needed to learn the ropes quickly.”
Our expertise was broadened and product quality assurance remained the domain of our Technology Centre in Fagerhult, under the same roof as our design and production operations. This has always been considered a major advantage in our work with innovation and new development, this close collaboration between safety and quality, the ability to test and reconsider things at an early stage.
"Our goal has always been to test our luminaires and guarantee the high quality we offer customers." Leif Norrby, Product Development Director
In-house LED production
Since 2014, Fagerhult boasts its own in-house LED moduleproduction. Production founded on extensive preparations that involved identifying and developing the requirements for such proprietary production. Thanks to the investment in our own production capabilities, Fagerhults Belysning can not only ensure production quality, but also tailor the resulting products more easily, quickly and reliably than if we ordered our light sources from an external supplier.
“By keeping control of the entire process in house, we simplify all stages of production,” says Kenneth. “In-house LED module production has also enabled us to amass even more expertise. Should anything go wrong during production, due to damage or defects, we can more quickly rectify matters than if we’d ordered from an external supplier. Moreover, in-house production enables variants and customisation, enabling us to quickly meet customer requirements and needs.”
Green lighting for sustainability
The new light sources are not only smaller, they’re also incredibly more energy efficient than traditional light sources.
“Our modern lighting solutions help customers to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact,” Kenneth explains. “A 10–15-year-old system consumes five times as much energy as a new system. 95% of the environmental impact caused by lighting comes from energy use, which can be reduced by up to 80% with modern LED luminaires and control systems.”
Developments in LED technology are moving fast, with further innovations and new materials most certainly on the horizon. One area that is already gaining momentum is the IoT and control, a new filed in which Fagerhult is also developing solutions.. As for the market situation in 75 years’ time, that we can only speculate about…
LED Facts
- The light-emitting diode (LED) is currently the most energy-efficient lighting technology available for consumer and business use.
- A diode is an electronic component that emits light when powered by direct current.
- A semiconductor is used to convert electricity into light without producing heat, usually within a very small area measuring about 1 mm² or less (the diode).
- An LED lamp is comprised of multiple light-emitting diodes.
Related News
Fagerhult sets new industry standard: switching to the latest LED technology
Fagerhult is setting a new standard in the lighting industry and switching to the latest LED technology in its luminaires. One outcome of this is that the operating time is being doubled from 50,000 to 100,000 hours. “We want to make it easy for our customers to make the right choice, both for their wallet and for the environment,” says Marcus Fagerlind, Technical Manager for Smart Lighting at Fagerhult. Fagerhult is now taking the next step in the evolution of lighting technology. Going forward, the luminaires will be supplied with the latest generation of LEDs featuring Flip Chip technology. For our customers, this means lighting that offers higher energy efficiency, lower energy consumption and superior light quality – while also doubling the operating time. “Flipped” technology Flip Chip is a premium-segment LED chip that is based on proven technology. The thing that sets Flip Chip apart from standard LEDs is its design. Image gallery: LED-chips Section: Flip chip headline “An LED chip is made up of several different layers of material that determine the light’s wavelength and properties. A traditional standard chip is built like a cake with multiple layers, which the light shines up through from the bottom. Electrodes are attached at the top of the ‘cake’ and connected via gold or silver wires. Since these contact surfaces are located at the top, they also block some of the light, which affects the light output and, consequently, energy efficiency. These metal wires are also subjected to ‘stress’ in the event of temperature changes, making them a potential source of failure that can affect the working life of the LED chip,” explains Marcus Fagerlind: Marcus Fagerlind, Technical Manager for Smart Lighting at Fagerhult, at the Experience Centre in Habo, where lighting solutions are explored and demonstrated. In a Flip Chip, the cake is simply turned upside down, with all the contact surfaces at the bottom of the chip. This allows the light to flow freely, and the chip operates more efficiently without interference. Placing the contact surfaces at the bottom also helps avoid potential sources of failure in the connecting wires. As a result, the Flip Chip technology delivers a product that is both more efficient and more robust. Significant energy savings Equipped with the latest generation of Flip Chip LEDs, Fagerhult’s luminaires will increase energy efficiency by 5–10 percent, depending on their previous configuration.An efficiency improvement of this magnitude naturally has a significant impact on energy consumption and operating costs, but also on the system’s climate impact.“In an uncertain world, with energy crises following hot on the heels of each other, it has become even more important to accelerate the green transition – and to ensure that energy efficiency, economic considerations and environmental concerns go hand in hand. Every kilowatt-hour counts,” says Marcus Fagerlind.The operating time is also being extended – from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. A doubling of the working life, in other words, which makes Fagerhult’s luminaires a safe and profitable investment for the future. All upgraded luminaires will also have a constant light output, providing secure, stable, high-quality light throughout their working life. Extended lifetime from 50,000 to 100,000 hours, with stable, high-quality light throughout. New industry standard The switch from standard LEDs to Flip Chip covers the majority of Fagerhult’s Indoor range. Luminaire models that already feature Flip Chip will be upgraded to the latest generation of Flip Chip, as will all models that were previously equipped with standard LEDs. This change can improve the energy efficiency of the luminaires and reduce electricity consumption, meaning that with a small amount of effort, it is possible to achieve a very big impact.That sounds like a major change, doesn't it? “Absolutely,” says Marcus Fagerlind: “But this approach – daring to take the lead and make the tough decisions needed to bring about change – is very much part of Fagerhult’s DNA. We have never compromised between ergonomics and energy efficiency, choosing instead to drive our innovation efforts to find new solutions. This is an obvious step we have to take, not least for the sake of the climate. We want to take our share of the responsibility. This ought to be the industry standard.” Platinan in Gothenburg features 12,800 luminaires in one of Fagerhult’s largest innovation projects - demonstrating how the latest LED chip technology supports improved light quality and energy efficiency. Does this mean that the luminaires will become more expensive?“That’s exactly the point. We don’t want our customers to have to choose between what’s good and what’s actually even better. We also don’t think they should have to choose between strong finances and climate considerations. The cost of the upgrade will not be passed on to customers in the form of more expensive luminaires, but will be financed through the logistical benefits that the change will bring. With our pricing model, our customers gain access to the latest technology – at the same price as before.”
Innovation in every fold – Wrapped exceeds in engineering brilliance
As sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, innovation must begin with the question: What if we did things differently? For Fagerhult’s R&D team, that question became the spark behind Wrapped, the world’s first pendant luminaire made of cardboard. Traditionally, pendant luminaires are built with metal frames, which is a durable, familiar, and safe method. But the team behind Wrapped wanted to explore another path. Together, they decided to find out if they could create a luminaire that not only performed at a premium level but with minimized environmental impact. After thorough consideration, Solid board – a renewable and recycled cardboard material that had previously only been used in hidden components – now plays the leading role. Wrapped is more than a luminaire, it’s an exploration of forward-thinking and creativity. With no ready-made solutions to lean on, the design team had to start from scratch. Every element, from the construction to the mounting, was looked into and the result is a luminaire that’s both technically solid and environmentally conscious. Gallery: Wrapped details The luminaire body is made of up to 65% recycled cardboard and folds together with high precision cut-outs that fit perfectly. Engineering elegance Wrapped’s body is composed of two primary parts: the inner body and the outer body, both designed to work in harmony for strength and stability. The outer body is held together by a rib made of 75% recycled post-consumer aluminium, locking the folds in place and ensuring shape retention. Its end caps are made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic and snap into precision-cuts, securing the structure without the need for screws. The junction box is snapped into place and the driver is mounted using small clips, made from recycled post-consumer plastic. The LED board is mounted onto the lens, protected by a cover of Solid board, and the entire light module is locked into place with a louvre. The result is a seamless, screw-free construction that embodies thoughtful design. Design with purpose Fredrik Beckius, Design Engineer at R&D, reflects on the journey:“The challenge was working with a material that we had never used for a pendant luminaire before. We couldn’t mount components the usual way, so we had to find alternative solutions.”Martin Gustafsson, also a Design Engineer, adds:“We had to find a way to produce the luminaire cost-efficiently, both for us and our suppliers. Every design component had to serve more than one purpose.” This dual-purpose thinking is evident throughout Wrapped’s design. It’s not just about aesthetics or sustainability – it’s about engineering brilliance and making every part count. Quote: Martin Gustafsson Sustainability without compromise Wrapped is manufactured in Fagerhult, Habo, using locally sourced recycled and renewable materials. It’s a product born from Swedish innovation, rooted in the legacy of previous sustainable designs like Multilume Re:Think and Kvisten. Unlike many eco-conscious products, Wrapped is quietly confident – and sustainable in its DNA. With high-precision cut-outs, a stable construction, and rigorous testing throughout the process, Wrapped meets all quality standards without compromising its environmental ethos.