Shenzhen Xinlingnan of mainland China has released model XLN-280A, a solar-powered flashlight with white LED bulbs and an FM radio.

Suppliers of flashlights in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong are concentrating product development efforts on boosting the energy efficiency of models and providing greater functionality.

As a result, most new releases are fitted with LEDs.

This energy-saving light source is now use in the bulk of flashlights from the Greater China region.

Suppliers are adopting LEDs increasingly because they consume 80 to 90 percent less power than incandescent lamps and have a life span four to six times longer than other traditional types.

Makers are also incorporating value-added functions in their latest designs. Companies are offering products that are equipped with compasses, radios and alarms.

In addition, new flashlights boast sleek, ergonomic housings with attractive designs and bright colors.

Among mainland suppliers interviewed for this report, Dolink Industrial Co. Ltd and Wenzhou Dongteng Electronic Co. Ltd offer dynamo-powered flashlights with LED bulbs. Models are CE-certified and RoHS-compliant.

Dolink exports to North America, Europe and Asia. Eighty percent of shipments are under OEM contracts. Guangzhou Sunbright Electronic Co. Ltd dedicates 90 percent of production to flashlights. The company adopts LEDs on most models.

Ningbo Yongtai Metal Products Co. Ltd's current R&D focus is on the energy efficiency of models. The company prefers LEDs rather than traditional sources because the illumination they provide is generally directional, resulting in less wasted light.

Shenzhen Xinlingnan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has released model XLN-810B, a solar-powered flashlight with white LED bulbs. The product has a luminous intensity of 12,000mcd and features an FM radio and a mobile phone charger.

ISO 9001:2000-certified Zhejiang Sorbo Electronic Co. Ltd offers LED flashlights, solar lights and mobile phone chargers. It exports to the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

In Taiwan, Charman Optical Co. Ltd adopts five to eight superbright LEDs in its various models. New releases come with novelty shapes and designs.

Sang Min International Co. Ltd offers flashlights that combine different light sources. The company's latest release, Titan M8, is fitted with LED, xenon and halogen bulbs.

Top Card Enterprise Co. Ltd's model TC-DT550 comes with nine superbright LEDS and functions as a seatbelt cutter. The company's product development efforts are currently focused on ergonomic housings.

Hong Kong makers are also steadily replacing traditional light sources with LEDs.

Most of Likki Plastic Mfy Ltd's designs make use of LEDs sourced from Cree of the US.

Among the company's best-sellers are the SL and AL series of flashlights. SL models feature Cree LEDs and a luminous flux ranging from 80 to 176 lumens.

The AL series, meanwhile, adopts white LEDs that generate a brightness of 15 to 30 lumens.

ISO 9001-certified Likki also manufactures flashlights that use Luxeon LEDs and xenon bulbs. A 30-member R&D team creates 10 new designs each year, while 100 QC specialists ensure that products meet CE and RoHS requirements.

At Harsan Mfg China Ltd, four R&D specialists are currently working on new flashlight designs set for release next month.

Harsan manufactures flashlights that meet EEC standards. The latest models use white LEDs and feature add-ons such as measuring tapes and compasses.

The ISO 9002-certified company also offers promotional products, DIY tools, garden furniture and Christmas decorations.

Ricco Electronics Co. Ltd offers flashlights that come with LED bulbs and ABS housings. Most of the materials and components are sourced from Taiwan, Japan and the mainland.

Ricco's 3,300sqm factory in the mainland's Guangdong province is equipped with four plastic-injection and five stamping machines that churn out 70,000 flashlights each month. Of the plant's 300 workers, 20 are QC inspectors.

Ninety-five percent of the company's exports are under OEM contracts while the rest bear the in-house Ricco brand. Thomson of the UK is one of the major clients.

At Good Sense (Hong Kong) Ltd, LED flashlights come with sleek ABS housings. The trading company delivers buyer samples within 10 days.
Industry overview

There are about 3,000 flashlight suppliers in the mainland. The bulk of production takes place in the provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang.

Companies cater primarily to the low-end and midrange markets. They offer models that are equipped with value add-ons, including radios, compasses and MP3 players.

Aside from flashlights, makers also offer solar lights, lanterns, and LED light pens and keychains.

From January to December 2006, mainland suppliers shipped an estimated 790 million flashlights, generating more than $447 million in export sales.

The US, Germany, Japan and Russia are their major export destinations.

In Taiwan, there are about 50 manufacturers in the line. The majority has established factories in the mainland due to the lower labor costs there.

In 2006, about 2.3 million flashlights valued at $11.6 million were exported from the island. The US, Japan, Germany, the UK, Sweden and France absorbed the bulk of shipments.

Hong Kong is home to more than 400 flashlight suppliers, 75 percent of which are export-oriented. Europe and North America are the main markets.

Flashlights from Hong Kong often come with LED bulbs and plastic housings. Selections consist mainly of models that meet RoHs and CE requirements.