China suppliers of lighting and related electrical devices react to demand for power saving models

Global Sources' China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals reveals 93% of manufacturers see stronger exports despite cost challenges

HONG KONG, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China suppliers of lighting and electricals are releasing more energy-efficient luminaries, bulbs and tubes to meet demand for environment-friendly fixtures and light sources across residential, commercial and industrial segments. This is according to Global Sources' (Nasdaq: GSOL) China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals (http://www.chinasourcingreports.com/lightingelectricals).

Manufacturers' efforts toward efficiency enhancements have yielded a selection of bulbs, including LED-based models, boasting up to 30 percent energy savings. Further, manufacturers are expanding their products' range of applications.

The Report covers the major products of China's lighting and electricals industry, from light bulbs and tubes to indoor and outdoor lamps, and electrical fixtures and supplies. Findings in the Report show that even amid fierce competition, manufacturers are optimistic that their market footholds should grow stronger this year.

Publisher of the Report, Livia Yip, said: "As key economies around the world continue to recover, an overwhelming 93 percent of surveyed China suppliers anticipate double-digit increases in export sales in 2011. Some manufacturers project revenue expansion of greater than 30 percent. Growth is expected to be especially strong in LED bulbs, CFLs and fixtures compatible with these light sources, because several countries have already placed restrictions on incandescents.

"The EU, North America and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to continue being the main markets for China suppliers of lighting and related electrical devices. Business conditions in these markets are particularly favorable, with many countries there passing legislation that promotes energy-efficient technologies. Suppliers are also making efforts to cultivate emerging markets where consumer buying power is swelling such as South and Central America, Africa and the Middle East."

Robust customs figures reflect the optimism across the industry. For the 11-month period ending November 2010, exports of China-made bulbs, lighting fixtures, ballasts and circuit breakers reached 21 billion units worth of $12.6 billion. This represented year-on-year increases of 26 percent and 35 percent, respectively.

Uptrend in prices as manufacturers manage cost challenges

China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals reveals that 49 percent of featured suppliers intend to increase prices in the coming months to cover higher manufacturing outlay and currency exchange risks. Adjustments are expected to be limited to 10 percent, under efforts to maintain competitiveness.

On the other hand, 30 percent of companies actually plan to decrease prices to gain an edge. This comes despite cost-management challenges such as rising material and labor expenditure and the yuan's appreciation against the US dollar, according to the Report.

To help offset higher expenses, manufacturers are boosting operational efficiency. Some LED lighting suppliers are even expanding into upstream sectors to control costs better. Companies across the industry are also installing more automatic equipment in their factories to improve operations.

Other industry trends indicated by China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals include:

• 89% of manufacturers plan to increase capital expenditure in coming months to strengthen capability
• 72% of suppliers see either price competition or rising material costs as their main competitive challenge
• Design copying and stricter overseas standards are also seen as hurdles
• 57% of companies are planning to target the EU as their main markets
• Solar and wind power is a trend in outdoor lighting
• Some manufacturers are switching from lead-acid batteries to NiCd or NiMH in response to environmental concerns

Supplier profiles, price forecasts, and the latest lighting and electricals for export

The 182-page China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals provides detailed profiles of 99 suppliers with verified manufacturing and export credentials, plus contact details of 48 more suppliers. It also includes a Product Gallery featuring 276 of the most popular export models, with key specifications and full-color pictures.

The Report's surveys, price trends and supply forecasts aim to help buyers make better-informed purchasing decisions.

Specialized Global Sources websites, face-to-face events, trade magazines and research reports

China Sourcing Reports are part of Global Sources' sourcing and product information services. These include Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com), China Sourcing Fairs (http://www.chinasourcingfair.com), Private Sourcing Events (http://www.PrivateSourcingEvents.com) and Global Sources monthly magazines (http://www.globalsources.com/SITE/MAGAZINES.HTM).

For more information about Global Sources' products and services that connect quality buyers with verified suppliers, visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com.

China Sourcing Report: Lighting & Electricals is available for purchase at http://www.chinasourcingreports.com/lightingelectricals .

Free information about China suppliers of lighting and related electrical devices can be found at http://www.chinasuppliers.globalsources.com/china-suppliers/Lighting.htm .

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China. The core business uses English-language media to facilitate trade from Greater China to the world. The other business segment utilizes Chinese-language media to enable companies to sell to, and within Greater China.

The company provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers. It helps a community of over 1 million active buyers source more profitably from complex overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing the most effective ways possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in over 240 countries.

The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. It delivers information on over 5.5 million products and more than 262,000 suppliers annually through 14 online marketplaces, 13 monthly print and 18 digital magazines, over 80 sourcing research reports and 73 specialized trade shows a year across nine cities.

Verified suppliers receive more than 127 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com) alone.

Global Sources has been facilitating global trade for 40 years. Global Sources' network covers more than 60 cities worldwide. In mainland China, Global Sources has about 2,700 team members in more than 40 locations, and a community of over 2.8 million registered online users and magazine readers for its Chinese-language media.