This is the ElectroniCast analysis and forecast of the use of flashlights in
the United States. In regions outside of the United States, flashlights are
often referred to as “torches.” Flashlights are portable
electric-powered light source. The primary power source of a flashlight is
batteries (rechargeable or disposable); however, power sources can often
include ultra-capacitors, electromagnetic induction, solar power, and hand
powered dynamos.
In the process of this market research project, in addition to interviewing
existing customers and distributors of flashlights, ElectroniCast Consultants
also studied over 50 lighting manufactures/brands with various ranges of
performance, price, power-source, light source and other variables.
ElectroniCast's estimates of the (year 2011) market share (%) and flashlight
revenue for all 50 manufacturers/brands are also detailed in this report.
Boutique Shops
Some of the (flashlight) manufacturing/brands are relatively small and are
considered “boutique” shops serving a niche market; however, we
included some of these “boutique” brands, since they are opening
up number market segments, which would otherwise be un-served. (Some of these
shops have flashlights with a list price in the $500 range).
Specialty Shops
Other companies that we zoned-in on in our research efforts are the
“specialty” shops, which are typically much larger in volume
versus the “boutique” shops; however, the specialty-brands still
address (serve) a niche market. For example, there are companies/brands that
target the Police and Military market segment with list prices of less than
$100 to several hundred dollars. Other companies/brands target the
medical/surgical (headlamps) or the high-end outdoor sport market segment(s),
and others target the explosion-proof market segment with list prices of
several hundred dollars, even over $1,000.
For example, the winning sales/distribution-channel for LED lamps used for
explosive-proof lighting is the application-specific lighting fixture
manufacturer (specific to the explosion-proof lighting segment) that has the
experience, expertise and established sales/distribution-channels. Therefore,
LED lamp manufacturers should target the existing manufacturers of
explosion-proof lighting solutions regarding their sales efforts.
General-Purpose Companies/Brands
ElectroniCast also researched companies, which serve multiple end-user market
segments, such as household in-expensive (less than $5), low- and high-end
professional, and even application specific such as the United States
military, as well as products with a wide price range. This
“General-Purpose” group also has a huge sales/distribution channel
involving major retailers, such as Home Depot, Office Depot, Sears, Ace
Hardware, Target and an almost endless opportunity in supermarkets, on-line
shopping, and on-and-on.
Market Forecast, by Light Source
In this study, we provide a market forecast and analysis for the use of
flashlights in the United States based on the following light source types, as
well as flashlights equipped for recharging versus standard (not
rechargeable/equipped types):
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
Halogen Incandescent Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
Argon or Krypton Incandescent Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
Xenon Incandescent Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
Fluorescent Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Flashlight
Rechargeable
Standard
A typical flashlight is a hand held unit, however, flashlights are often
mounted on weapons, which are tactical flashlights used by the military, law
enforcement or even recreationally by hunters. Flashlights are mounted to
helmets or for recreational and work use. In fact, the list of different uses
of these portable (cordless) light units is close to endless; therefore, the
flashlight industry is constantly driven to identify innovative applications
and designs.
Some flashlights have more than one light source, for example a fluorescent
flashlight from Makita also has an incandescent light source; however, the
differentiation is that it is a fluorescent flashlight - so, ElectroniCast
counts the flashlight as a fluorescent flashlight. ElectroniCast does not
“double-count” the quantity of flashlights; therefore, we tend to
evaluate the flashlight and assign it a classification based on the main
market-push (objective) from the particular supplier (“HID Flashlight
with LED,” are classified as a HID flashlight).
Through research and development (R&D), manufacturers are striving to
differentiate themselves from competitors, by means of customer end-markets
(applications), lumens/brightness, durability, sales/distribution channels, or
a patriotic appeal to purchase products that are made and designed in the
United States (“Made in the USA”).
Market Forecast Application Categories
This market forecast of each product-type by the following end-user type
(application) categories:
Commercial/Industrial
Government-Sector
Military/Law Enforcement/First Responders
Other Government-Sector
Consumer/Non-Specific
Market Forecast, By Function
This report provides the 2011 market data review and 2012-2016 forecast for
flashlights by the following functions:
Consumption Value
Quantity (number/units)
Average Selling Prices
Since the market opportunity for flashlights continues to evolve, through the
push by manufacturers to differentiate from each other to achieve increasing
revenue, there is a need to explore technology-driven solutions addressing,
but not limited to the list shown below. The relationship of cost of
materials, along with the end-user price-points, are important considerations
for flashlight manufacturers; however, there are many other items of interest
to consider in finding ways to differentiate from your competitors.
Flashlight
Casing: Durable/stronger and/or lighter material, design/color, other
Reflector: Durable, designs to increase reflectance and lumen/brightness,
other
Lens, Lens Seal and Face Cap: Durable, focus-ability/adjustable,
heat-resistance, other
Light Source: Durable, size, lumen/brightness, energy-efficiency,
spark-proof, life-capacity (hours), other
Recharging Interface: Integration design from flashlight to recharge unit,
material, size, durability, other
Power Source
Battery: Size, weight, shape, run-time (hours), replacement availability,
other
Primary (disposable) battery types used in flashlights include button
cells, carbon-zinc batteries in both regular and heavy-duty types, alkaline,
and lithium
Secondary (rechargeable) battery types include lead acid batteries,
NiMH, NiCd batteries and lithium ion
Ultra-capacitors/Super-capacitor:
The capacitor can be recharged more rapidly than a battery and can be
recharged many times without loss of capacity; however, the running time is
limited by the relative bulk of capacitors compared to electrochemical cells
Electromagnetic Induction
Solar power
Hand powered dynamos
The most common power source for flashlights is the battery. Many types of
batteries are suitable for use in flashlights, such as button cells,
carbon-zinc batteries in both regular and heavy duty types, alkaline, lithium
and rechargeable lead acid batteries, NiMH, NiCd batteries and lithium ion
batteries. The choice of batteries will depend on the light source used, and
will usually play a determining role in the size and shape of the flashlight.
Primary cells are used for infrequent use; some types of primary cell can be
stored for years, where flashlights are required only in emergencies.
Flashlights used for extended periods every day may be more economical to run
on rechargeable (secondary) batteries.
Flashlights adapted for use with rechargeable batteries may include features
to allow charging without removing the batteries from the light, for example,
a light kept in a vehicle may be trickle-charged and always ready when needed.
Power-failure lights are designed to keep their batteries charged from a wall
plug and to automatically turn on after an AC power failure; the power-failure
light can be removed from the wall socket and used as a portable flashlight.
Some flashlights are solar powered, using the energy generated from a solar
cell to charge an on-board battery for later use.
Ultracapacitors, or supercapacitors, are the new batteries. They recharge
(very) quickly, the charge lasts for a long time, and you can keep on cycling
them for tens of thousands of charge cycles; however, conventional
rechargeable batteries are less expensive and are easily available.
Report Statistics
Publication Date:October 3, 2012
Total Number of Pages:322
Also Included:Excel worksheets/Market Forecast Data Tables
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
1.1. Overview - US Flashlight Market (2011-2016)
1.2. Bare (Unpackaged) LED Chips - Overview
1.3. Barriers to Growth in the Military/Government Sector
1.4. Explosion-Proof LED-based Flashlights
1.5. LEDs Used in Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS)
2. United States Flashlight Market Forecast by Application
2.1. Overview
2.2. Flashlight Use in Commercial/Industrial Applications
2.3. Flashlight Use in Government: Military, Law Enforcement and First
Responder/Emergency Applications
2. Flashlight Use in Other Segments in the Government Sector
2.5. Flashlight Use in Consumer/Non-Specific Applications
3.2.23. LED-based Surgical Headlamp and Carrying Case
3.2.24. Combat Flashlight
3.2.25. LED Flashlight
3.2.26. LED Rechargeable Photoluminescent Flashlight
3.2.27. LED Headlamps in Use
3.2.28. LED Headlamps
3.2.29. High Intensity Xenon/LED Flashlight
3.2.30. LED Headlamps
3.2.31. LED Flashlight
3.2.32. LED Flashlight
3.2.33. LED Flashlight
3.2.34. Flashlight Continuity Tester
3.2.35. Police-Style LED Flashlight
3.2.36. Explosion Proof Flashlight
3.2.37. Magnetic Control Fully Variable Output LED Flashlight
3.2.38. Xenon Incandescent Bulb Flashlight
3.2.39. High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon bulb Flashlight
3.2.40. Flashlight / Non-Lethal Weapon
3.2.41. Profession Diver Underwater Flashlight
3.2.42. High-Performance (1000 lumens) LED Flashlight
5.1. LED Chromatic Chart
5.2. Evolution of Research Emphasis during Technology Life Cycle
5.3. LED Chip: Metal Layer
5.4. Vertical LED Chip
5.5. AC LED Technology on a Wafer
5.6. Ultra High Bright LED Chip
5.7. Ultra-Thin LED
5.8. Solid-State Lighting LED
5.9. LED Module with High Light Quality
5.10. Transparent and flexible inorganic, organic hybrid n-type Thin Film
Transistors (TFTs)
5.11. Lumiramic Phosphor Technology: Thin Film Flip Chip (TFFC) technology
5.12. Wire-to-Board LED Connector
5.13. Next-Generation Light Emitting Diode Module
5.14. 4-Leaded RGB LED
5.15. Vertically Conducting Advanced LED Structure
5.16. AlGaInP LED Efficacy
6.1. ElectroniCast Market Research & Forecasting Methodology
United States Flashlight Market Forecast and Analysis published by ElectroniCast in October 3, 2012. This report price starts from US $ 4400.
Press Release
US Consumption Value of Flashlights Reached $1.824 Billion in 2011
October 5th, 2012
Global Information Inc. would like to present a new market research report, "United States Flashlight Market Forecast and Analysis" by ElectroniCast.
ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market research firm covering LEDs and electronic devices, today announced a new market forecast report of the use of flashlights in the United States.
The consumption value of flashlights in the United States reached $1.824 billion in 2011. LED flashlights dominate the product mix. Additionally, the LED flashlights are forecast to gradually displace the other light-source types of flashlights, to some degree, during the forecast period. In addition to LED flashlights, the market study covers the use of Halogen, Argon/Krypton Incandescent, Xenon Incandescent, Fluorescent and High-Intensity Discharge (HID). In 2011, Rechargeable LED flashlights held the leadership position in relative market share.
The ElectroniCast study also segments the use of flashlights by end-user groups, including: Government use in Military/Law Enforcement/Emergency; other segments in Government; Commercial/Industrial; and Consumer applications.
In terms of value, the Commercial/Industrial end-user group is forecast to maintain the lead in relative market share during the forecast period (2011-2016); however, the Consumer/Non-Specific category is forecast to maintain a dominant market share lead in term of volume (number of flashlight units).
Flashlights used in the Consumer/Non-Specific end-user segment are typically less expensive units versus other applications/end-user groups. For example, flashlights used by the United States Military and in Law Enforcement, demand (more) rugged designed, more features and (more) lumens or brightness versus the typical household flashlights found in kitchen drawers. Of course this is true in other applications, as well, such as explosion-proof headlamps used in the Mining sector.
In the process of this market research project, in addition to interviewing existing customer groups and distributors of flashlights, ElectroniCast Consultants also studied over 50 lighting manufactures/brands with various ranges of performance, price, power-source, light source and other variables. ElectroniCasts estimates of the (year 2011) market share (%) and flashlight revenue for all 50 manufacturers/brands are also detailed in this report.
Boutique Shops Some of the (flashlight) manufacturing/brands are relatively small and are considered "boutique" shops serving a niche market; however, we included some of these "boutique" brands, since they are opening up number market segments, which would otherwise be un-served. (Some of these shops have flashlights with a list price in the $500 range).
Specialty Shops Other companies that we zoned-in on in our research efforts are the "specialty" shops, which are typically much larger in volume versus the "boutique" shops; however, the specialty-brands still address (serve) a niche market. For example, there are companies/brands that target the Police and Military market segment with list price of less than $100 to several hundred dollars. Other companies/brands target the medical/surgical (headlamps) or the high-end outdoor sport market segment(s), and others target the explosion-proof market segment with list prices of several hundred dollars, even over $1,000.
General-Purpose Companies/Brands ElectroniCast also researched companies, which serve multiple end-user market segments, such as household in-expensive (less than $5), low- and high-end professional, and even application specific such as the United States military, as well as products with a wide price range. This "General-Purpose" group also has a huge sales/distribution channel involving major retailers, such as Home Depot, Office Depot, Sears, Ace Hardware, Target and an almost endless opportunity in supermarkets, on-line shopping, and on-and-on.
