Small Manufacturer Thinks Big

Family-owned Q-Lighting adopts 3D design and in-house rapid prototyping to compete with larger companies and win.

The owners of Q-Lighting know that being small has its advantages. The Lexington, Kentucky-based manufacturer produces portable and wearable lights for illuminating small items in poorly lit areas. The products are used by campers, boaters, professional musicians, electricians, mechanics and doctors, among others. With 35 years of experience and 40 employees, the company sells its products nationwide in specialty stores such as ACE Hardware and Eddie Bauer.p>

Selling a niche product to niche stores means that customization is the key to keeping the company profitable. "Because we are one of the last family-owned businesses in this market, we need every possible advantage to maintain an edge on our competition," explains Ira Cooper, Q-Lighting owner and president. Q-Lighting's management staff realized that the organization needed to improve design turnaround time so it could quickly address each vendor's customization requests.  Read more >>

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