[Green Field Network 2015 ISPO Exclusive Report] ISPOSHANGHAI The 2015 Asia Outdoor & Fashion Sports Exhibition opened todayat the Shanghai New International Expo Centrewith great fanfare. As the summer edition of ISPO in China—the world’s largest sports exhibition—ISPO SHANGHAI spans a total area of 30,000 square meters and brings togetherover 400brands. While further enhancing itsoutdoorsports advantages, it also brings together new summer categories such as extreme trends, urban fitness, water sports,travelservices, and more, combining exhibitions, interactive experiences, competitions, exchanges, and forums. During the event, renownedoutdoor brandssuch as Mammut (Mammoth), Fjällräven (Arctic Fox), Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, Tecnica (Tecnica), Osprey, OAKLEY, Camelbak (Camelbak), water sports brands Point65, Feathercraft, Clipper, Epic, Bateau, Adidas Swimwear, as well asfitness & runningbrands Life Fitness, 2XU, LP, Skins, and Power Balance, will all be present.
During the exhibition, Green Field Network interviewedMr. Zhang Longkai, Head of Fenix R&D Department,and the following is an excerpt from the interview.
Green Field Network:Did you bring any innovative products to this Shanghai ISPO?Fenix: Our company advocates innovation. Since our establishment, we have obtained over 150 patents, including nearly 20 invention patents and around 70 utility model patents. Due to our commitment to innovation, there are many innovative products every year. However, since LED lighting has been around for quite some time, earlier we had more groundbreaking innovations, but now we focus on incremental innovations—making small improvements to our products. Of course, our innovations still revolve around specific use cases—how to make them convenient for users and bring a sense of joy in lighting. The core remains our focus for innovation.For example, take this product—a very simple one. All similar products on the market currently use this kind of structure: you align a post with a hole and then rotate it. What’s the downside of that? You must align it precisely with the hole to install or remove it. But with our product, once the battery is installed, you can twist it freely. Previous products required precise alignment during installation or removal—any mistake was not allowed—but with our design, which has been patented, there is a detent. When you rotate it, the elastic post automatically clicks into place. It’s a small improvement. (This design is great!) The change may seem minor, but it significantly enhances user convenience. Such subtle improvements make a big difference in the user experience—for instance, when changing batteries in the dark, it used to be very time-consuming and frustrating.
Our user base includes outdoor enthusiasts, police officers, and others. The usage scenarios for outdoor users and police differ, so as a manufacturer, we design various products to meet the needs of different users. This results in lower unit sales volume, reduced purchase quantities, and increased costs. Therefore, for a given value, the cost to the user becomes higher. So we introduced a multi-mode dimming system—one tailored for police and another for outdoor users. Outdoor users typically use forward-click dimming and strobe functions, while police generally require tactical use with rear-click dimming, which is adjusted via button modes on the front. Looking at these two products, the new versions improve reliability while reducing weight and cost, and the price has also been lowered.
This is how small improvements enhance the user experience.
This product won the ISPO Gold Award this year. It is powered by two 18650 lithium batteries and features a wired switch function for emergency use. The front heat dissipation design supports up to 1600 lumens. It also comes equipped with a battery level indicator, allowing users to clearly see usage time for different modes, providing solutions for all types of outdoor activities. This is our first application of this feature—an innovative product. And this camp light—in its category—is definitely the smallest in size. Many small design details contribute to improved performance. There are many other products where we’ve found innovative points as well.
This is how small improvements enhance the user experience.
This product won the ISPO Gold Award this year. It is powered by two 18650 lithium batteries, includes a wired switch function for emergencies, and its front heat dissipation design supports up to 1600 lumens. It also features a battery level display, allowing users to clearly see the usage time for different modes, providing solutions for various outdoor activities. This is our first use of this feature in a product—it’s a groundbreaking item. And for this camp light, among similar products, ours is definitely the most compact. Many small design elements help boost the product’s performance. There are plenty of other products where we’ve found room for innovation.
Green Field Network: Do you have any major plans for outdoor market products in the second half of the year? As a brand fan myself, I’m really looking forward to it.
Fenix: Definitely, for example, we will have corresponding products in bike lights, camping lights, flashlights, and headlamps. But before the products are launched, I can't reveal too much information. We have many products that will apply for patents.
Green Field Network: In high-altitude areas, what kind of breakthrough headlamp products does Fenix plan to introduce in the future? Where does the inspiration for the R&D and design of these products come from?
Fenix: For high-altitude use, we will also have such headlamp products. As for the inspiration, it still comes from our understanding of the usage environments of products across the entire industry. We have many contracted athletes who frequently engage in high-altitude climbing. For example, Han Zijun yesterday—although she didn’t reach the summit due to an avalanche. Every year when we design products, we collect their feedback. They have special requirements for the products, and we translate customer needs into technical requirements to develop the products. Internally, for instance, our CEO Su climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year and this year went to Russia to climb Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. Each time he returns, he shares his experience using the products. Such channels allow us to understand customer needs. The source of design mainly comes from the actual users of the products.
Does Fenix often gather opinions from outdoor enthusiasts? Are these people fixed collaborators for product development?
They are our contracted athletes who test the products.
Green Field Network: With the continuous innovation of outdoor products on the market, how does Fenix maintain its competitive edge?
Fenix: Through patents and innovation, as I just mentioned regarding Fenix’s patents. To maintain our advantage, we need to keep innovating, especially innovations based on user needs. I think that’s one of the reasons we stay ahead.
Green Field Network: We’re very much looking forward to Fenix launching more innovative products.
New Fenix Products Now Available: