Gulf Lighting Fixtures Factory, part of Kuwait’s Faddan Group, enjoyed an 18 per cent surge in sales in 2006 with fluorescent fittings contributing most to the turnover.

The company’s deputy manager for business development, Mohamed A Makarem, said sales in 2006 were KD1.68 million ($5.8 million) against KD1.35 million over the previous year.  Makarem said the sales target for 2007 was KD2 million.
Good prospects for lighting fixtures in Kuwait and other Gulf states following the announcement of large-scale projects for construction and infrastructure development have prompted Gulf Lighting Fixtures Factory to decide on expanding its production facilities to raise output by 25 per cent.
Makarem said exports to Qatar were worth KD130,000 in 2006 and KD100,000 in the previous year. The expansion would help the company target other overseas markets, the official added.
The company markets its products under the Novalight brand.  According to a company statement, the luminaires are designed for industrial, outdoor and indoor requirements, operate efficiently in the rigorous Middle East climate, have a long working life and are easy to maintain.
“Novalight has been accepted as one of the leaders in the field of lighting technology in Kuwait and has developed to become a specialist in lighting engineering,” the statement said. “Development of new light sources is carried out continuously with innovative designs in mind.”
The company has the capability to manufacture any special fittings tailor-made for particular jobs. Aiding the manufacturing process is a tool-making facility on the factory premises. All metal-housed luminaires are powder-coated at the factory’s automatic powder-coating plant.  “Strict quality inspection and testing is done on the powder coating and the assembly of components and only superior quality components are used in manufacturing Novalight luninaires. Approvals are obtained from top testing laboratories worldwide and also from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity and Water, the Ministry of Public Works and the National Housing Authority, among other organisations,” the statement said.
Batten fluorescent luminaires, surface and recessed luminaires, weatherproof and waterproof luminaries, class-room fluorescent luminaires, exit signs and high bay luminaires are among items manufactured regularly.
Gulf Lighting’s batten-type luminaires have a body fabricated from electro-galvanised steel sheets to ensure resistance to atmospheric corrosion and painted with white electrostatic powder at the coating plant. The reflector is made of heavy gauge electro-galvanised steel with reflecting ability provided according to requirements. The wiring is of HT PVC or silicone. A conventional type ballast of 240 V and 50 hz impregnated with polyester resin is used. Other types can be used including electronic ballast and starterless ballast.
The company’s high bay luminaires for mercury, metal halide and sodium lamps can be used in both heavy and light industries and in warehouses where the requirement is for high-mounted discharge luminaries. They are designed for suspended mounting. 
For gear housing, the company uses heavy gauge powder-coated electro-galvanised steel and a spun aluminium outer cover. A ventilated gear housing for long life in high temperatures can be arranged as a special order.  The reflector is made from treated aluminium polished from inside to give optimum reflection. The luminaire can also be supplied with an anodised aluminum reflector and outer cover for gear housing on request.
The company also markets lighting fixtures manufactured by international companies represented by Gulf Lighting.
 Demand for Novalight luminaries is ever increasing. Thanks to a large warehouse the company has built, it is able to stock adequately and respond to orders as quickly as possible.
Among the popular items is the recessed fluorescent luminaire with aluminium diffuser, which the company began manufacturing when demand grew in offices, commercial buildings and computer rooms for lighting with minimum glare effect and efficient output. The company introduced a semi-parabolic range at prices that were more competitive than those for the parabolic range. Housing of the luminaire is fabricated from an electro-galvanised steel sheet to ensure resistance to atmospheric corrosion. The interior and exterior is painted with white electrostatic powder paint in the company’s powder coating plant in high-grade quality finishing. The louvre is made from high-purity anodised aluminium gloss and compressed V reflector to reduce contrasts in light intensity.  The luminaire is supplied with HT PVC wire or silicone wire. The ballast is conventional type 240 V/50 Hz impregnated with polyester resin. Other types are supplied including electronic ballast and starterless ballast.
Gulf Lighting also produces recessed fluorescent luminaires with a diffuser.
 It also specialises in fluorescent luminaires with a higher degree of protection, the degree of protection classified as IP 65.  The housing is polyester light grey, fibre glass-reinforced and flame-retardant. The top and bottom parts are screwed together with an aging resistant rubber seal using plastic screws. A starter switch is accessible from outside.
Over the years, Gulf Lighting has supplied to prestigious projects. They include Liberation Tower, Kuwait National Bank headquarters, Olympic Swimming Pool, Customs Building, Ahmed Aljaber Military Airbase, Parliament Building, Dermatologist Hospitals, Central Plant Kuwait University, Drug Addiction Hospital, Public Authority for Industry headquarters, Al-Bustan Complex Salmiya, Al-Khaima Complex Jahraa and Wholesale Food Market.