To help reduce energy consumption, IKEA took a decision in 2012 to only sell energy efficient LED lighting.
A LED bulb uses approximately 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also last 20 times longer. Fewer bulbs are manufactured, meaning less waste when they break.
We wanted to lower the price without compromising on quality or durability. It was actually our founder Ingvar Kamprad who set the price tag: 1 €.
Paulina Pajak, a product developer in the lighting department, recalls the RYET project.
”We looked at everything, from parts to design and production, to see how we could streamline and keep costs down without affecting the quality. It went well but we couldn't get under 1.50 €. It actually felt quite impossible”.
The team look at the details again. New meetings and tests with suppliers were booked in. This led to an unexpected realization.
”By selecting parts of a higher quality for the LED part, we could get rid of certain parts in the bulb's power supply, and thereby end up with a lower total cost”, says Paulina, who’s still amazed that more expensive parts actually resulted in a lower total cost. And yes, the team reached the goal of 1 €.
”We managed in the end since all of those involved saw the great value in making good and energy-efficient lighting available to more people”, explains Paulina. ”Compromising on quality just to lower the price never crossed our minds”.
