About Us
Elstead Lighting Today
Celebrating over 55 years in business, Elstead is a British company (established in 1969) that specialises in the manufacture and distribution of decorative lighting. We sell 220-240v lighting products to worldwide customers, lighting beautiful homes and hospitality venues in more than 50 countries. We have sales and distribution operations in UK, Ireland, Poland, France, Germany and Dubai with a team of more than 120 committed staff. Elstead continue to showcase products in many international exhibitions including: London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Warsaw and Dubai, with many resellers reaching wider markets across the world.
GROWTH THROUGH EXPANDING THE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Elstead Lighting History
Within the Interior Lighting section, Elstead still specialise in manufacturing wrought iron and painted metal fittings using traditional welding and patination skills which are appreciated around the world. This distinctive English style of product that Elstead produce is sought after in Europe, the Middle East and Australia. In 2009, Elstead acquired Lui’s Collection – a company operating out of Bedford and offering a large range of base and shades to improve their offer of portable luminaires.
In 2012 Elstead signed partnerships with four well established American brands: Feiss, Hinkley Lighting, Quoizel and Flambeau. Elstead work directly with their suppliers to wire their products so that they are suitable for the 220-240V markets (including distribution to UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australasia).
In 2015 Elstead was approached by one of the largest decorative lighting companies in the USA – Kichler and each year they continue to add more Kichler portfolio into the Elstead collection.
In March 2018 Elstead acquired a small shade manufacturing business called Crimway to make bespoke shades for designers and hospitality clients.
For Outdoor Lighting products Elstead still design and manufacture traditional and contemporary exterior lanterns and posts as well subcontract the production of numerous ranges through their carefully selected supply chain. The exterior collection includes some extra-large scale fittings suitable for large homes and hotels.
Elstead are UK and Ireland distributors for Norlys; a Scandinavian owned professional range of exterior architectural products suitable for coastal regions.
In 2019, Elstead acquired The Ceiling Fan Company in Dubai, UAE which was the Middle East distributor for Hunter Fans. This was our first step into the ceiling fan market and in 2022 added a great selection of Kichler Ceiling fans to this portfolio to sell in all 220-240V markets.
Manufacturing Capability Home and Abroad
Elstead has been a British manufacturer of high-quality decorative lighting fixtures since 1969. Within its Headquarters in Alton, Hampshire, Elstead still maintains a small manufacturing capability in the UK for traditional and transitional English style products.
Elstead has brought together an eclectic range of light fittings for both indoors and out, that take classical influences in their design and style. We are proud to still use traditional handcrafts in the production of our lights as well as embrace modern technology with CNC machines. Many items from the Elstead collection are manufactured in Alton, Hampshire using traditional welding and patination skills to create distinctive products. More recently we added a shade making studio to make bespoke lampshades for table lamps and projects.
Elstead also has an Elstead Asia factory dedicated to the Elstead Collection, to specialise in the manufacture of plated and solid brass fixtures. In addition, Elstead has access to over 40 Asian factories through our USA partnerships, many with very specialist manufacturing techniques. If your business is looking to discuss white label goods or special finishes for projects that meet minimum order quantities contact: [email protected]
(Click here for the Made in England Collection)
International Showrooms
In 2013 the Alton Headquarters was extended to provide a 9000 sq ft showroom to showcase more of Elstead’s growing portfolio of brands. We extended the showroom again to 10,000 sq ft in 2017 and continue to develop and improve the displays to showcase one of the largest collections of decorative lighting in the UK. You will find more than 3000 products on display along with a factory clearance centre and a new bespoke shade making studio.
In 2023 – Elstead took over the reigns of Quality Lighting Distributors in Ireland to make Elstead Lighting Ireland, our 5th subsidiary which has a small warehouse, shade making facility and showroom in the town of Bandon, County Cork. Then in February 2024 – Elstead opened a small showroom in Arnsberg, Germany to encourage trade customers to visit and see new product launches.
During 2024 we will open another showroom in the UK to showcase our Quintiesse Collection, a large showroom in Krakow, Poland for our international buyers and a new showroom in Dubai for our middle east customers.
Elstead continue to showcase products in many international exhibitions including; London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Warsaw and Dubai, with many resellers reaching wider markets across the world.
Elstead Humble Beginnings
Today Elstead Lighting is headed by Managing Director Jonathan Lucas, who is the son and nephew of previous family owners Stephen and Geoffrey Lucas. However, Elstead Lighting was originally known as The Elstead Forge and was founded back in 1686 in the tiny hamlet of Elstead, Surrey, England by a Mr Richard Paine. It remained under his succeeding heirs through until 1870. It then passed on to the Bovington family in 1870 who carried it on until 1956 when daily work in the forge ceased.
The forge then lay dormant until 1965 when it was taken over first by Geoffrey Lucas and at this period the forge mainly produced gates, railings and general ironwork, as well as some fire baskets and hearth accessories. Gradually, the gates, railings and general work dropped off but the making of fire baskets and some lights grew. When the forge received an order for a fire basket or light they would make two or three extra, and put the surplus in the shop window or on a small display board outside. People would buy items from the here which led to Geoffrey designing and making more. It was this simple change that started Elstead Forge on its journey to where it is today.
In September 1969, Geoffrey asked his brother Stephen Lucas to join him at the forge. At this stage they operated out of two premises; the Elstead Forge and a mile away there was a builder’s yard with office facilities, a place to pack and sort orders, a workshop and a spray painting area. Stephen went on the road selling and took on sales and delivery for the South of England.
Geoffrey and Stephen quickly outgrew the Elstead premises and built a new factory in the Mill Lane Industrial Estate, in Alton, Hampshire. In 1972 Elstead exhibited at its first hardware trade fair at Olympia in London where they showcased their range of lanterns, fire baskets and barbecues. The show went well, as they received some good orders and gained contacts within some well-respected hardware outlets, which they continued to trade with for a number of years.
Then in 1979, 19-year-old Jonathan Lucas, son of Stephen Lucas, joined Elstead Forge as a salesman. From this point the company made steady progress with increasing sales, until they outgrew the premises once again. In 1984 the company moved into an additional factory unit on Mill Lane, where they invested in their first modern semi -automatic paint plant. This increase in space, along with the decrease of time taken in post-production gave Elstead the opportunity to further grow the business. By then specialising far more in Lighting than other products, the company changed its name to Elstead Lighting Ltd.
In July 1989, Geoffrey Lucas retired from the business and Jonathan took over Geoff’s share of the firm and became co-director, alongside his father Stephen Lucas. The company then managed to secure orders and on-going business from many of the best-known high-street names resulting in a peak staffing by 1998 of 94, 70 of whom were in production. During this period the company added further new premises and facilities to cope with the increasing demands.
After a few years of uncertain economic times in the early 2000’s, the company found far more suitable premises on one single site, still in Alton, to allow them to operate in a more modern way and with the benefit of a large showroom. This site is now our present home, known as Elstead House. Stephen Lucas semi- retired in the early 2000’s and retired fully by 2008. Deborah Lucas joined Elstead in December 2009 as a Marketing Manager and married Jonathan in July 2012 becoming a shareholder and Marketing Director.
Still family owned today, Elstead continues to showcase their unique English and American style products in many international exhibitions including; London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Warsaw and Dubai, with many more resellers reaching wider markets across the world.
(Updated March 2024)
