Ferroluce, an Italian family-run business founded in 1982, has evolved into a standout name in the lighting design industry, shifting its focus from traditional iron ceiling lamps to contemporary design. The brand's evolution continues as it grows its presence across European markets and beyond, with upcoming showcases planned for the US next week and Maison&Objet and Salone del Mobile in 2025. We interview Giulio Valentinuz, the CEO of Ferroluce.
From an iron tradition to contemporary design
'Ferroluce is a family business, established in 1982 by my parents,' Giulio says. 'They began by producing iron ceiling lamps, which is why the company is called "iron lighting" in Italian. However, a few years later, my father realised the limitations of iron—its weight, among other factors—and began exploring other materials. In 1991, he started working with ceramics, which has since become the main material in our products. It's an organic material that offers a lot of possibilities in terms of colours, shapes, and more. This allowed us to create various collections. In 2015, for example we launched the Retrò collection, inspired by industrial aesthetics. We then moved on to the Decò collection, which is more contemporary and reflects the era we live in today.' The newest pieces in the Decò collection were showcased by the brand at the recent Maison&Objet fair in September.
Giulio Valentinuz, CEO of Ferroluce.
A growing presence in European markets
While Italy remains a core market, accounting for about 30% of the company's turnover, Ferroluce's influence has steadily expanded across Europe. Returning to Maison&Objet after a long hiatus since 2003, their presence in the fair marks a renewed focus on international exposure, particularly as they continue to adapt to changing market conditions. 'In today's difficult economy the market is changing very fast, and we just need to be ready for those changes. Since we're a small business, we can luckily quickly adapt and make decisions.' This agility allows Ferroluce to respond to market demands faster than many competitors, bringing new designs from concept to production in a short span.
This responsiveness has positioned them well amid the shifting dynamics of the European market, particularly in countries like Germany, where economic fluctuations have posed challenges for many.
'Another strength of Ferroluce is presenting our products at fairs. Although we are a small company, we like to showcase our lights to the market. Paris was a great example of this. The collection was well-received, and it helped people become more familiar with our brand. We wanted to introduce our new brand image to the market, and the feedback we received was important for us—it helps us grow.'
New horizons in the US
Ferroluce is also eyeing growth beyond Europe. The company will soon showcase its designs at BDNY in New York, a boutique fair focused on contract work for hotels, an area of increasing interest for the brand. Although the US is not yet Ferroluce's largest market, Giulio sees great potential. 'We're growing every day and looking for the right partners. We have all the necessary requirements for the US market, but we're taking it step by step to best serve our clients,' he explains.
Looking ahead to Milan 2025
As Ferroluce continues to build momentum, their sights are firmly set on Milan in April 2025, a milestone event for the brand. With new product designers and an updated catalogue in the works, the company is preparing to make a significant splash at Salone del Mobile. Alongside the four new Decò lights that debuted at Maison&Objet in Paris, Ferroluce plans to introduce another set of new releases for the Milan show. 'There's a lot of work to do, but we're very excited,' Giulio concludes.
More information:
Ferroluce
+39 0481 909541
[email protected]
www.ferroluce.it
Italy