PAUL’S NOTES

This past year 2009 was as difficult a year as we have encountered in our business lives. I know that many of you have had a similar experience. Part of the difficulty was the challenge of surviving in extraordinary times and part of the difficulty was to operate a business without much visibility three, six, or twelve months out.

Despite the difficult business environ-ment, we decided early on to continue to invest in both our business and yours to be prepared for the coming upturn, whenever that might be.

These investments include new display systems for customers, substantial new product developments, updated dimming systems, a new IBM enterprise computer system, and a new HP network. Last, but not least, we invested in a completely new and redesigned website that will go live early in January of 2010.

As Chair of the ALA, I campaigned in Washington, DC and in Sacramento, CA so that not only energy efficiency considerations are being discussed, but also that the quality of lighting will factor in as an equally important consideration.

After a difficult 2009, I am optimistic for 2010. I want you, our customer, to know that our future is bright and that we are doing everything in our power to partner with you to increase the business of lighting.

Yours,Paul W. EusterbrockPresidentHoltkötter International

NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

Winter 2010

2|NEW PRODUCTS Transitional Style

2|MARKETS Dallas Market January 2010

3|UPDATE FROM GERMANY New Catalogue

3|NEWS Gallery Program

4|PEOPLE New Employees

4|MARKETING Website Redesign

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NEW PRODUCTS Transitional Style MARKETS Dallas Market January 2010

Holtkötter may be best known for its Williamsburg-type chandeliers or for its modern style pharmacy lamps or its contemporary wall sconces. Much of the product Holtkötter manufactures can be considered neither traditional nor contemporary, but transitional, and is dependent on the finish and reflector style. For example, most of the portable pieces can be placed in virtually any application. Put a Satin Nickel or a Chrome finish with a Satin White shade on a lamp, and it becomes a very contemporary piece that can be placed in any modern setting. Change that same fixture and put it in an Antique Brass or our Hand Brushed Old Bronze finish with a darker shade or even a metal reflector, and you have a very rich classic look that can be placed in a traditional office or home setting. We offer the majority of our pieces in the full array of finishes as well as offer a number of glass choices to fit into any room setting.

Our goal is not to have the reputation of being either contemporary or traditional, but rather to be a company that has an extremely high level of functionality, with a beautiful design and the versatility to go virtually anywhere. With Holtkötter’s classic, timeless designs, the applications and settings in which the product can be placed are endless with the numerous options Holtkötter has to offer.

There is much to look forward to this January Market in Dallas with Holtkötter. We are introducing many new products this Market which include a new low-voltage pendant system. We will be offering quite a few different options for canopies, including a 3- and 4-light bar, a 3-light round pan, a square and round monopoint, and a diamond shaped 4-light canopy. We will be offering our cord and socket to be adaptable with other standard track and rail systems, as well as our numerous glass options. We are also expanding our LED product category to include a bar light and a portable LED floor lamp that propels an incredible amount of light. This LED floor lamp will be equipped with our well-liked P1 (Punkt 1) dimming system. This P1 dimming technology will also be put onto some of our low-voltage lamps that will be also introduced this January.

A popular request from many of our distributors has been for us to offer Holtkötter’s great quality in a lamp that is a lower cost. The only way we can accomplish this is by changing the materials slightly. Thus, we will be offering a beautifully designed series of products called the Volkslampe. It will be offered as a solid brass fixture or as a painted steel fixture in a couple of different finishes and will be equipped with GU24 bulbs. Finally, we will be introducing many new display options this Market including new displays for our pendants, a display for our popular Bernie series, a new Punkt 1 display, and a freestanding display for the new product category we are introducing, the Volkslampe.

Please stop by our showroom, especially if you have not had a chance during the past few Markets. Last January, we redesigned the showroom considerably and we know you will be impressed by all of the changes.

As always, Friday night is our Bavarian party with live music, drinks and great food. We look forward to seeing all of you throughout the Market.

2505/2 PB/BB

9622 LED Pendant

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NEWS Gallery Program

Holtkötter understands how important and difficult displaying product in the showroom can be. The manner in which Holtkötter products are merchandised is an integral part of the selling process. In 2009, we launched the Holtkötter Gallery program, a smaller rendition of the Dallas showroom. For a larger commitment and high potential, Holtkötter will customize a display for your showroom that will not only increase the image of your showroom, but will also set Holtkötter apart from other manufacturers as a premier brand. Ranging from 150-500 square feet of showroom space (including ceiling space), these galleries contain beautiful cherry wood walls and clouds, adjustable shelves, and risers for floor lamps. The

Recently Hans J. Holtkötter presented a beautiful new catalogue to our European Sales Force and our European customers. The catalogue was designed with the help of 08/16 quergedacht and our German-based designers. The new catalogue features not only an elegant, minimalistic design, but also a variety of modern and up-to-date application photographs.

The text of the catalogue is written in four different languages: German, English, French, and Dutch.

The goal is to unify the presentation of Holtkötter and tie all aspects of the company from product packaging and advertising to website design together.

The next addendum, which will be released after the Dallas show in January, will incorporate many of the German design elements seen in the new German catalogue.

walls contain graphics that brand the name adequately.

If a Gallery is not the right fit for your showroom, try one of our popular POP displays. We have several wall displays (freestanding or flush to the wall), clouds, and floor risers to choose from.

A few key components are necessary to remember when displaying Holtkötter products:

1) As much as possible, keep the product grouped together (ceiling, wall and portables). This will make a bigger statement, give the customer comparable options, and assist in justifying the price.

2) Show as many options as possible. This doesn’t mean you have to show one of everything in every finish and every glass choice. Show a variety of different styles and designs, a representation of each of our finishes, and a sampling of as much glass and shades as possible. People need to touch and feel the product and see what they’re investing in.

3) Keep the displays neat. Contact your sales rep anytime you need parts to fix the display pieces. Use your sales representatives to assist in keeping the Holtkötter product displayed correctly.

4) As much as possible, make sure the merchandise has power running to it. Give the customer the ability to turn the product on. Holtkötter sells its product not only its design qualities, but first and foremost, its function.

For additional information on any display options Holtkötter has to offer or if you would like a visit to your showroom to figure out ways to display our product in the most effective way, please contact Thomas Lillie, National Sales Manager, at 866-554-3191.

UPDATE FROM GERMANY New Catalogue

Holtkötter Germany Catalogue

Holtkötter Gallery Display at Lighting By Gregory, New York

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PEOPLE New Employees MARKETING Website Redesign

We are pleased to announce a major upgrade to our website www.holtkoetter.com. We have been working diligently for several months on redesign, expanded content, and e-commerce capabilities. The redesign gives us a fresh new look and expands the amount of product information. Our photographer has been busy completing our library of product images. Added features include: viewing finish options, product groupings by room or lighting source, instruction videos, and technical information.

An e-commerce section will be available with light bulbs, parts, and accessories to serve the end consumer. We are receiving an ever-increasing number of inquiries from consumers about ordering replacement parts or light bulbs for their lamps. The site will provide a much needed cross-reference between the lamp and component parts and allow for online ordering and shipping from Holtkötter. Look for the site to be activated by the January Show.

LISA SCHMITTER recently moved to Minnesota from Germany when her husband took a position at the University of Minnesota. Lisa was searching for jobs at German companies and came across a position at Holtkötter. Coincidentally, she is from the same town as Paul. Lisa provides administrative and customer service support to the Holtkötter staff.

BECKY NIED is the newest member of the customer service team at Holtkötter. Becky comes to Holtkötter from the Taylor Corporation with over ten years in the printing industry. Her background includes providing customer service for strategic accounts and most recently in the purchasing/sourcing department. Becky started with Holtkötter in October and is responsible for order entry and answering the customer service calls from the sales representatives and showrooms. Becky is looking forward to meeting everyone in January at the Dallas market.

ALLYSSE HENRY is another recent addition to the customer service team. Most recently Allysse has worked customer service with a global home furnishings company. Her unique background comes from starting and directing a local organization named the “Twin Cities Guinea Pig Rescue,” where she helped local animal shelters place abandoned guinea pigs in new homes. Allysse is excited to continue her education of the lighting industry. Her primary responsibility is answering customer service emails and providing general customer service support.

Holtkötter Site Main Page (top) and Product Landing Page (bottom)