HAVING MIGRATED FROM KUWAIT DURING THE INVASION OF KUWAIT BY IRAQ ON THE 2ND OF AUGUST 1990, LEICESTER BASED BUSINESSMAN VIC SETHI, RUNS A FAMILY BUSINESS ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER HARJOT AND UNCLE BABU. IN 1994 VIC JOINED HIS FATHER IN LAW MR ANAND OF ANAND INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Anand International and Daewoo International Europe specialise in the distribution of premium brand batteries, blank media, Consumer electronics, Lighting, smoking sundries and other related products.
They are the largest distributors of brands such as Duracell, Energizer, JVC, Maxell, Panasonic, Rizla, Sony, Swan, TDK, Verbatim, Rizla, Zig Zag, Vaporize, Vapor and many more…
While running businesses, Vic is very passionate about working with communities and charities by contributing time and money towards good causes.
When Vic realised that one of the ways to save the world against global warming was to cut down on carbon emissions, he decided to invest on good quality LED light bulbs, which the consumers could buy at affordable prices and replace them with their old Incandescent or halogen light bulbs. He planned to offer the products at low prices to his existing wholesalers and retailers to get to the consumer. His passion to make a difference turned into a very successful business.
With a European friend, jointly they launched a range of LED products under a brand called “Ecolight”. While distributing Ecolight they have also become the exclusive distributors of Duracell LED lighting and flash lights.
BENEFITS OF LED LIGHTING
- LONG LASTING
LED (Light emitting diodes) have an outstanding operational life.
- ENERGY EFFICIENCY
80% of energy is lost as heat in a traditional incandescent light bulb thus operates at 20%. That is why it is said that a LED bulb will save around 80% compared with a traditional incandescent light bulb.
- ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY
LED light bulbs are 100% recyclable and are free of toxic chemicals and help reduce carbon footprint by up to a third or so.
- DURABLE QUALITY
The LED bulbs are quite durable and can withstand the roughest conditions.
- INSTANT SWITCHING “ON”
LED lights switch on immediately and brighten up at the same time, while some traditional lighting like some CFL’s take a few seconds to reach the full brightness level. Frequently switching on and off traditional light bulbs usually reduces its operational life, while frequent switching on and off has no effect on the LED bulb.
WHAT YOU NEED TO CHECK WHEN BUYING A LED BULB?
Vic shares, “Consumers are confused since the introduction of the LED bulbs. In the past an incandescent bulb would be purchased by the wattage rating such as 40w, 60w, 100w, etc..
But the same does not apply when buying a LED bulb.
For example a 5W Ecolight GU10 is a good replacement of a halogen GU10 giving out good bright light as long as the beam angle is a minimum of 120 degrees. The size is similar to a Halogen GU10 so that it can fit the old fitting.
One needs to consider a few points before buying a LED bulb. Below is an example of what should be the specification of a 5W GU10 LED light bulb when replacing a GU10 Halogen bulb..
1) Watts: 5W (minimum)
2) Lumens: 370 Lumens and above for good bright light
3) Beam Angle: 120 Degrees gives a wide and good spread of light similar to the traditional GU10 halogen lamp
4) Kelvins or Colour Temp.: 2600k +/- 500 (Warm White), 4200k +/- 500 (Cool White), 6000k +/-500 (Daylight)
5) Dimensions: The size of the LED GU10 should be as close as possible to the Halogen GU10 bulb. In LED bulbs, as the wattage rises, the size of the lamp increases and sometimes does not fit the existing halogen bulb fixtures.
“We at “Ecolight” have managed to keep the 5W bright LED lamp to its original traditional size and at affordable prices”, says Vic.
‘Home Bargains’ is one of the largest and fast growing discount retail chains in the UK, who have been ahead of the game in the LED market. T J Morris trading as Home Bargains was founded by a leading successful businessman Tom Morris of Liverpool. Home Bargains have around 400 stores and have plans of opening 900 stores by 2016.
Mike Lewis of Home Bargains says, “To me the two greatest benefits are the facts that using LED is saving you money every day they are in use and the fact that their lifespan which can be 10 – 20 years depending upon usage, so if you are of a certain age, changing to these bulbs could be the last time you ever have to do this”.
Home bargains have also taken the initiative to offer the products at lower prices so more and more people can change to LED and help in cutting down the carbon footprint. They were the first ones in their sector to offer the “Ecolight” GU10 with high wattage and high lumens at affordable prices and have continued ever since. They are far ahead of most retailers and supermarkets in the LED business. At an average they are going through 28,000 + Ecolight GU10’s per week.
Some LED bulbs state 6w or more on the packing, but if the beam angle is narrow, it will leave dark patches.
Wholesalers, retailers and the consumers are happy with the Ecolight products and have always come back for more. Ecolight covers a vast range of LED products ie. Light Bulbs, Strip lights, Flood Lights, Downlights, LED panels, etc.
Vic spends a lot of time with the manufacturers in designing and developing the range of LED products, making sure they are practical for home or office use and are the nearest replacement of an Incandescent or a halogen bulb.
He has plans of taking the brand across to USA, Canada, Russia, Middle East and the Far East and has plans of exhibiting in China and Hong Kong fairs soon to exhibit their brand and product range, as well as looking and appointing distributors in those countries.
The Ecolight LED range is distributed exclusively by Anand International Ltd of Leicester. They can be contacted on +44 (0)116 282 3900 or vic@anand.co.uk for distribution and export enquiries.
