Franklite's 50-Year
Journey Through
Light and Design
Franklite, a distinguished lighting manufacturer, has been a pioneering force in the lighting industry for 50 years. Since its founding in 1973, Franklite has committed to delivering innovative, high-quality lighting solutions that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. Known for their extensive product range and dedication to design excellence, Franklite continues to set industry standards and illuminate spaces with their cutting-edge technology and timeless designs.
Let’s explore Franklite's 50-year journey, highlighting key milestones and their diverse range of popular products.
Founding and History
Early Years & Establishment
The passion for lighting runs deep within the Lissauer family, spanning three generations. Frank Lissauer, who founded Franklite in 1973 after relocating from South Africa, built on his father’s experience in the lighting industry. Frank initially managed several lighting shops in South Africa before bringing his expertise to the UK. In 1999, his son Mark joined the business, continuing the family legacy and contributing to the company’s ongoing growth.
Major Expansions
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Franklite experienced significant growth. In 1990, Franklite moved to a much larger, purpose-built factory in Milton Keynes, marking a significant milestone in its growth. This facility included an in-house laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art lighting technology, one of the few in the UK. The expansive warehouse and assembly area ensured stringent quality control, while an exquisite showroom allowed customers to experience Franklite’s innovative designs first-hand.
Notable Projects
In the early 2000s, Franklite undertook several high-profile projects that solidified its reputation. These included collaborations with luxury hotels and large commercial developments. These projects showcased Franklite's ability to deliver bespoke lighting solutions tailored to specific needs and environments. High-end clients valued the company's attention to detail and the ability to customise products, which further cemented Franklite's status as a trusted partner in significant projects.
Shifts in Product Design & Technology
As the lighting industry advanced, Franklite has remained at the forefront of innovation. The company has embraced energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, and incorporated smart lighting solutions into their product range. This commitment to innovation ensured that Franklite's products met modern standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Franklite has continued to innovate, focusing on eco-friendly practices and expanding their range to include smart lighting solutions. Their ongoing dedication to quality and design excellence has kept them at the leading edge of the industry, ensuring that they remain a preferred choice for both residential and commercial lighting solutions. Recent product launches have featured advanced features like remote control capabilities and integration with home automation systems, demonstrating Franklite's ability to adapt to the latest trends and technologies in lighting design.
Franklite’s Lighting Solutions
Franklite lighting offers an extensive range of products designed to meet diverse needs across various sectors. Their product line includes both traditional and contemporary designs, ensuring a solution for every lighting requirement.
Residential Lighting
Franklite's residential lighting collection features a variety of products such as chandeliers, ceiling lights, wall lights, and floor lamps. These fixtures are designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of homes while providing functional illumination. Their range includes classic, modern, and bespoke designs tailored to individual tastes and home styles.
Commercial and Hospitality Lighting
For commercial and hospitality sectors, Franklite offers robust and stylish lighting solutions. This includes a selection of downlights, track lighting, and large-scale fixtures such as chandeliers for hotels, restaurants and retail environments. Franklite’s products are designed to create inviting and productive atmospheres in commercial spaces, ensuring both style and efficiency.
Ceiling Lights
Franklite's ceiling lights are a signature offering, providing both functionality and elegance. These include chandeliers, pendant lights, and flush mounts, available in various styles from traditional to contemporary. These lights are ideal for living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms, creating a focal point in any room.
Wall Lights
Franklite's wall lights add a touch of sophistication to any space. They offer a range of designs, including classic sconces and modern wall-mounted fixtures, suitable for hallways, living areas, and bedrooms. These lights provide both ambient and task lighting, enhancing the décor and functionality of interiors.
Crystal Lighting
The crystal lighting collection by Franklite is renowned for its luxury and brilliance. These fixtures, often used in grand entryways and formal dining rooms, combine high-quality crystals with intricate designs to create stunning visual effects. Crystal chandeliers and pendants are popular choices for adding a touch of glamour to any space.
Bathroom Lights
Franklite’s bathroom lights are designed with both style and safety in mind. The collection includes wall-mounted fixtures, ceiling lights, and vanity lights that are resistant to moisture. These lights ensure adequate illumination for grooming tasks while enhancing the bathroom's overall aesthetic.
Pendant Lights
Franklite’s pendant lights are versatile and stylish, perfect for kitchen islands, dining areas, and entryways. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes, these lights can be used to make a bold statement or blend seamlessly with the décor. Pendant lights offer focused illumination and add a decorative touch to any space.
Custom Designs and Bulk Orders
Franklite caters to both small and large-scale projects, offering custom design services and bulk order capabilities. Their custom designs are tailored to meet specific client needs, providing unique lighting solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The ability to handle bulk orders makes Franklite a preferred partner for large developments and commercial projects, ensuring consistency and quality across all installations.
Franklite’s Reputation
Awards and Recognitions
Franklite has received numerous prestigious awards over the years, highlighting its dedication to excellence and innovation in the lighting industry. In 2021, Franklite won the Artistic Award at the Society of Light and Lighting’s Ready Steady Light competition, a testament to their creative prowess in lighting design.
Franklite also secured the Best in Tech award at the Brit List Awards for their advanced LED technology, specifically the L11 tuneable white light engine. They were also honoured as the Best Retail Decorative Lighting Manufacturer at the Southern Enterprise Awards, recognising their outstanding contribution to the decorative lighting sector.
Significant Projects and Collaborations
Franklite's reputation is further strengthened by its involvement in significant projects and collaborations across various sectors. Noteworthy projects include:
Nightingale Quarter Marketing Suite, Derby
Franklite provided the Reaction and Hemisphere lighting products, enhancing the suite's modern aesthetic.
Canada House, London
The Woburn ceiling lights with FRANKled Eco Disk LED plates were used, offering improved light output and efficiency.
Curve, Manchester
Featured the Vista pendants with rippled amber glass, contributing to the building's stylish design.
Bliss Salon, Worcestershire
Installed Perdita fittings, adding a touch of elegance with their crystal drops.
8 New Square Offices, London
Utilised Eros fittings, incorporating LED light sources for enhanced performance
Explore Franklite’s Beautiful Product Range
Franklite’s 50-year journey has been marked by innovation, quality, and a commitment to excellence in the lighting industry. From its founding to its numerous awards and significant projects, Franklite has consistently set industry standards with their diverse product range and eco-friendly practices. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and cutting-edge design continues to make them a leader in the market.
Explore the full range of Franklite Lighting at Lights4Living to find the perfect lighting solutions for your needs.
