US lighting manufacturer DynaLite goes bust – files Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Jan 24, 2020
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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In a statement posted to their website, New Jersey-based lighting company, DynaLite, founded in 1970 has closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. They say that they find it “difficult to remain competitive” and have decided to close the company.
It is with sincere regret and a heavy hard that I announce that DynaLite Inc. has filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy and has closed its doors.
For over 50 years, DynaLite has been providing lighting solutions for photographers. We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the careers we have helped. Unfortunately, due to the current decline in the photography market, we have found it difficult to remain competitive.
I want to thank you all for the years of support. It has been a pleasure servicing the photographic community.
– Peter Poremba, DynaLite CEO
Unlike when Bowens filed for bankruptcy, DynaLite isn’t blaming the innovations by its competitors for its downfall, instead placing the blame squarely at the feet of “the current decline in the photography market”. When it comes to lighting, I’ve not seen this decline. More people than ever are buying flashes now than they ever were because they’re so much easier to work with now. While the statement does say that they find it “difficult to remain competitive”, I’m not entirely convinced that a shrinking market was the cause.
The DynaLite website remains largely unchanged except for the statement above, and still lists all of their products and kits, although they no longer offer a way to purchase them. Products are still available through retailers, like B&H, although it will likely be a case of selling off the stock now, as has happened with other brands in the past that have disappeared.
For those who don’t know the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy (I didn’t until recently), have a read of this. Essentially, though, with Chapter 7, the business ends and its assets are sold off to pay the creditors. With Chapter 11, the business continues as normal and negotiates with creditors to alter terms of any debt owed without having to liquidate the company’s assets.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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4 responses to “US lighting manufacturer DynaLite goes bust – files Chapter 7 bankruptcy”
Aw, thanks for the good 500 w/s kit Dynalite…bought it in the 90s, still works like a champ. Dunno about decline in photography…seems everyone and his Bro wants a photo career. Just buy yourself a Sony and watch you tube…
Too expensive, didn’t listen to the costumers and didn’t innovate, same story different brand
Studio flashes are not hi-tech stuff. Chinese can make them and sell for a fraction of the price. Same for the remote trigger system. 20 years ago, pocket wizard was probably the only choice for remote triggering. Their simple solution cost me $400. Now, you can get a basic remote trigger for $10.
The thing is that ALL strobes regardless of brand (Alien Bees, Dynalite, Profoto etc.) are build in China or somewhere else in the Far East (Vietnam is becoming popular due to even lower wages).
The issue is always how fast you can get from idea-to-production. China is king when it comes for coming up with new things really quickly, building a prototype and go to production is record time.
There are literally cities full of prototype building facilities that you can use to create exact mockups and prototypes of just about anything in record time. From huge 3D printing machines to dozens of engineers putting it all together, you bring your idea and see it built in practically days.
It used to take months to bring an idea to even a first prototype and took months more to iron all the bugs. Production hiccups also took time to fix. Now, what took months takes a few weeks or even less.
That is the main reason China is becoming so big so fast, they put massive manpower on a project and make it happen.
Photography related companies like Dynalite, Pocket Wizard etc. cannot compete because they do not have the same thinking. They became comfortable and arrogant. Innovations came slowly and with huge hike in price, even as production became cheaper when moving to produce in China.
You cannot compete like that.