The acclaimed Secto Design lamps were born of a genuine need, the innovative use of wood material and skilled craftsmanship.
Secto Design’s founder Tuula Jusélius and designer, architect Seppo Koho discuss the new models.
The beginning
The founder of Secto Design, Tuula Jusélius and designer Seppo Koho first met in 1995. From the very first time they met, they knew they were kindred spirits; they both shared a respect for Northern wood as well as for Scandinavian design and professional woodworking.
Tuula Jusélius and Seppo Koho started collaborating on innovative wooden furniture. The furniture was a success but there was a puzzle that the customers were left with: no wooden lamps were on the market that would go together with the furniture. Inspired by this, the conical Secto 4200 pendant was born, and it became the backbone of the whole Secto Design collection of wooden lamps.
Korean Restaurant Kimchee. High Holborn, London, UK. Photo by Yu-Kuang Chou.
Going international
Over the years Secto Design has built a comprehensive worldwide retailer network and is represented widely across the world. About 95% of the production is exported to over 80 countries. To strengthen the presence in the international market Secto Design USA was established in 2017 and Secto Design France and Secto Design Denmark in 2022.
Along with the new models and increasing national and international demand, what originally was a small workshop in Heinola has now grown into a busy factory with over 30 employees. Since 2017 the factory, Sectomo, is owned entirely by Secto Design. The CEO of Sectomo, Joakim Jusélius, represents the second generation of the family-owned design lighting company.
Secto Design lamps are produced in large quantities yet maintaining the artisanal touch.
Innovative with artisanal touch
Back in the days, the new Secto 4200 pendant was a real innovation and unique. It took a considerable amount of time and effort to find a cabinetmaker capable of producing Secto 4200 lamps in large quantities yet still maintaining the artisanal touch. The new wooden lamp and its delicate light attracted people. Wood as a lamp material was welcomed to the lighting market with surprise and astonishment. Today the lighting collection comprises 30 different models and keeps up its steady growth.
All the original Secto Design lamps manufactured since December 2017 are sealed with a hologram label.
Battle against piracy
The unique wooden structure of Secto Design lamps has attracted some unwanted admiration as well. The battle against piracy, promoting original design and valuing the skills of Finnish craftsmen are extremely important for Secto Design. Regardless of the time-consuming task of monitoring the market for replicates, Secto Design is very committed to standing behind its IPR rights. All Secto Design lamps are now marked with a hologram sticker when leaving the factory to help the customers recognize the original Secto Design product from a fake one.
Secto Design cooperates with both Love Original and Be Original Americas organisations that combat counterfeit design, support authentic creative work and protect the history of design and the future of innovation.