ENTREVISTA / INTERVIEW
.16 | JUN.
manufacture of lampshades. In 2009, partly due to the downturn in the retail market, FB Internacional decided to take advantage of its know-how and launch its own brand: the ENVY brand. Months of market research and product development followed, the first catalog appeared in 2010. Since then, we have participated in numerous international fairs, making our products known all over the world. In 2017, the company was bought again, this time by a French group. There were some internal changes and it was necessary to adapt the size of the company due to market fluctuations. We are present all over Europe, either through the brand or through our wholesale customers. At the beginning of 2023, I decided to formalize a proposal to purchase the company from the group and the sale was made official at the end of March.
PL: Mónica decided to embark on a great adventure at the head of FB Internacional. How do you describe this experience?
MR: In the previous administration, I was already responsible for the company, so little has changed, apart from the fact that I am now making decisions. We are working on the development of new products, a new catalog and considering returning to participate in some international fairs, in order to increase our visibility in the market.
PL: Tell us a little about your lamps and what distinguishes them from the competition?
MR: We've always had ceramic lamps, in fact, initially it was just what we produced. Then, with the launch of the brand and the market demand, we started to introduce other materials. Currently, we maintain our image, mostly with ceramic lamps, but we also have other materials, which allow the customer to take a little risk, complementing our offer. We also have a wide range of fabrics for lampshades and, being produced by us, we give the customer the opportunity to choose the lampshade they want, being able to change the initial product, customizing it. As we are a company that produces in a somewhat artisanal way, we have this flexibility to change small details, but that could make a difference for the customer.
PL: If you had to describe the biggest challenges and most rewarding moments of working in the lighting industry, what would they be?
MR: The biggest challenges are related to survival in a market where there is a lot of supply and often at a very low price with which it is impossible to