Anfalum and Fedai: the Lighting Sector Facing COVID-19

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has been exceptional around the world. The closing of non-essential businesses, companies and activities due to the declared state of alarm will take its toll on all economic areas in the country without exception. Internationally, the situation is similar.

The lighting sector associations understand the situation of the companies best. That is true of the Spanish Association of Lighting Manufacturers, Anfalum, the Spanish member of LIGHTING EUROPE, the sector's voice in Europe dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and savings (smartlighting), and of Fedai, an association with over 30 years’ experience representing mostly small and medium-sized enterprises in the decorative lighting sector, one of the hardest hit by the crisis.

As was to be expected, the COVID-19 crisis has had a major impact on lighting: the drop in sales through traditional channels, cancelation or postponement of very important international trade fairs for the promotion of the market, such as Light & Building 2020, postponed until September 27, contracts on hold, difficulty in accessing the parts and materials needed to manufacture products, or the delay in project continuity have been devastating on every level.

And the numbers are not helping. According to Fedai, just over 30% of the sector companies they represent are still operational. Anfalum, meanwhile, admits that the standstill in all services, especially in construction, has contributed to many companies turning to partial shutdowns or temporary layoffs, which is happening throughout the lighting sector.

This is leading companies to look for ways to try to make it through 2020. Fedai explains that many companies are starting to face “the fear of digitalization” and “moving into the online world”. Working remotely has become a reality, as have online sales. In fact, nearly 70% of the companies in the association "are turning mainly to this channel so that their commercial activity does not stop completely".

The same is true in Anfalum, where those in charge stress the “obvious” rise in online sales. Specifically, they highlight a number of initiatives conducted by the DIY channel, as well as by professionals from the electrical sector who are promoting digital platforms for material distributors.

In addition to those issues, there are other reasons for hope. Anfalum says that their sector had already adjusted their production process by making a technological change, which will help “take flight” in the near future with a “technological, digitalized, sustainable and export-ready” industry. This adaptation corresponds, among other things, to the LEDification of all lighting products, the development of light adapted to humans, known as Human-Centric Lighting, and Ecodesign to promote the Circular Economy. The association has also promoted R&D to manufacture new fluorescent tubes capable of sterilizing spaces with just ultraviolet light.

And in that effort, the associations continue to strive to help lighting companies. That is the case with Fedai, where they are trying to help their companies “as much as possible”, channeling any aid that becomes available and offering them support and advice. The association is also firmly committed to promoting the use of technology among its members for their operations and sales. They believe it is time to promote domestic manufacturing in order to depend less on other countries. Meanwhile, Fedai is using its online sales channel www.lightingspain.com, which has been in service for 3 years and has seen good results, encouraging all companies to get involved.

The Association of Lighting Manufacturers is delivering a message of serenity. They explain that they are “constantly” supporting association members, sharing all types of useful information, documents, application guides and other useful details, all to “be prepared when the economy and our society go back to normal.”

Solidarity in times of crisis

In addition, despite the major difficulties experienced by a great many companies represented by these associations, some have been able to adapt for missions of solidarity in these times of uncertainty. Because the other side of the COVID-19 crisis is not in the economy, but in the hospitals.

Many of the companies represented by Fedai have changed their production lines to manufacture individual protection shields or disinfecting luminaires that they are donating to banks, pharmacies, tobacconists, professional offices, etc., in addition to hospitals and healthcare centers. 

Examples given by the association include Grupo Novolux, which donated nearly 1,500 masks and has created other products such as protective screens; Luxiona, which gave lamps to the hospital in Albacete; Lleida-based company Leds-C4, which has offered citizens equipment to create and deliver medical material to local hospitals; Tomás & Sáez, which manufactures safety screens for healthcare workers; or Agolar Iluminación, which is creating mask structures with 3D printers.

Anfalum has also shown its most caring side through its associate companies. For example, two luminaire manufacturers have donated thousands of lamps to the Feria de Madrid field hospital.

All of these are clear examples of the dynamism and commitment of the lighting sector, showing that the future, health and solidarity are everyone’s responsibility.