MLE
MLE Srl is an Italian private lighting manufacturer founded in 1983 in Campi Bisenzio, designing premium LED fixtures for global luxury hotels and hospitality projects. The company operates via direct B2B project sales and bespoke manufacturing, serving clients including Waldorf Astoria, George V, and Grand Hyatt.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersCampi Bisenzio, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MLE does
MLE Srl is an Italian private lighting manufacturer founded in 1983 and headquartered in Campi Bisenzio (Florence), operating under CEO and owner Tommaso Nannelli. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies premium lighting fixtures for the global luxury hospitality sector, with a secondary presence in premium residential and art-gallery/museum applications. Its reference portfolio spans Waldorf Astoria New York, Four Seasons George V Paris, Grand Hyatt Martinez Cannes, Hôtel des Bergues Geneva, Gabrielli Venice, and Villa Petrusse, and the company marked its 40th anniversary in 2026 with a refreshed catalogue and company profile.
The product portfolio is organized across ten categories — bedroom lamps, bathroom lights, public-area lighting, picture lights, reading lamps, floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, lighting mirrors, and decorative objects — encompassing more than 100 named product families. Core technology combines LED sources (typically 2700K–3000K warm white) with integrated electronic drivers, IP44 water-resistance ratings for bathroom use, touch-activated dimming, and proprietary craft techniques including hand-crafted Murano glass diffusers, hand-stitched leather-wrapped flexible arms (OPERA, LEATH families), and multilayer hand-made paint finishes commercialized through the MLE Hand-made Paints sub-brand.
Commercially, MLE operates a direct B2B project-based sales motion with no retail or e-commerce distribution; the website requires registration for full catalog access and channels flow through hotel owners, interior designers, and hospitality operators. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of catalog fixtures, bespoke manufacturing under the 'Su Misura' custom program, and a samples service that supports pre-purchase specification. Marketing is anchored on a trilingual (Italian, English, French) website and a curated project portfolio, with ongoing collaborations with named industrial and hospitality designers (Pierre-Yves Rochon, Paolo Mauri, Sybille de Margerie, JOI-Design, L. Bellini, Intemporelle, NLG Design).
MLE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MLE
- Legal name
- MLE Srl
- Website
- https://mlelighting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MLE Srl is an Italian private lighting manufacturer founded in 1983 in Campi Bisenzio, designing premium LED fixtures for global luxury hotels and hospitality projects. The company operates via direct B2B project sales and bespoke manufacturing, serving clients including Waldorf Astoria, George V, and Grand Hyatt.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MLE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hospitality Lighting Fixtures
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335131)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- LED Drivers, Ballasts & Power Modules for Lighting (Constant-current/voltage drivers, ballasts, control gear) (IMAGAIAJ)
Keywords
Where MLE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Campi Bisenzio
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
MLE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Lighting Fixture Sales: MLE generates revenue through the sale of premium lighting fixtures including wall lamps, reading lamps, bathroom lights, picture lights, and decorative objects. Products are sold through direct B2B project channels targeting luxury hospitality projects.
- Samples Service: The company offers a samples service where customers can request material samples (finish codes like C, O, HN, PB, AA) to evaluate products before project commitment.
- Custom/Bespoke Projects: MLE offers 'Su Misura' (custom/bespoke) project services for tailored lighting solutions, generating revenue through customized fixture manufacturing for specific hotel projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B Project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
MLE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MLE designs, manufactures, and supplies premium lighting fixtures for the luxury hotel and hospitality sector, including wall lamps, reading lamps, bathroom lights, picture lights, lighting mirrors, pendants, and decorative objects. The company sells through direct B2B project channels, offering both a catalog of over 100 product families and a 'Su Misura' bespoke custom manufacturing service, with extensive finish customization such as hand-stitched leather, hand-rolled Murano glass, and proprietary multilayer paints.
Product overview
MLE is an Italian lighting manufacturer specializing in high-end hospitality and residential lighting fixtures. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into product categories including Bedrooms Lamps, Bathroom Lights, Public Areas Lighting, Picture Lights, Reading Lamps, Floor Lamps, Table Lamps, Pendants, Lighting Mirrors, and Decorative Objects. Their product lines feature named series such as ROLLER, OPERA, LIBRA, NARCISO, WALDO, TAORMINA, and PARENTESI. The offerings range from functional reading lights (ROLLER, OPERA, LIBRA series with flexible/articulated arms and LED sources) to decorative wall fixtures (YLENIA, ÉTOILE, Waldorf) and integrated bathroom mirrors (NARCISO enlarging/magnifying mirrors). MLE serves the hospitality sector extensively, with installations in luxury hotels including Hôtel des Bergues Geneva, George V Paris, Waldorf Astoria New York, and Hotel Martinez Cannes. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026 with a new catalogue and company profile release.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MLE Hand-made Paints: Multilayer hand-made paints developed alongside industrial treatments, featuring human-crafted finishes protected with transparent varnish.
Companies that use MLE
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MLE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
MLE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Vivido SrlminorVivido Srl is credited as the developer of the MLE website, providing web development services.
- Pierre-Yves RochoncoreRenowned hospitality designer who collaborated on Grand Hyatt Martinez Cannes project, designing the LIBRA 2.0 product family for MLE
- Michele ArcareseminorDesigner credited for ÉTOILE wall lamp design
- Christine & Nicola BorellaminorDesign duo credited for TOURBILLON wall lamp design
- Paolo MauriminorDesigner credited for PARENTESI wall LED system design
- L. BelliniminorDesigner credited for ROLLER reading light family design
- JOI-DesignminorHospitality design firm credited for SHELF product family design, in collaboration with IIID
- Sybille de MargerieminorInterior designer credited for RIALTO wall LED design
- INTEMPORELLEminorDesign brand credited for TAORMINA wall lamp design
- NLG DesignminorDesign studio credited for NANO product family design
- L. QuerciminorDesigner credited for FARO wall lamp design
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MLE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Flos: Italian premium decorative and architectural lighting manufacturer serving luxury hospitality, residential, and commercial projects worldwide. Comparable as a designer-driven, project-based B2B lighting supplier with marquee hotel references and a mix of catalog and bespoke offerings.
- Slamp: Italian designer decorative lighting company using proprietary materials (hand-crafted acrylic, textiles) for residential and hospitality projects. Comparable as an Italian craft-driven designer lighting brand with overlapping luxury hotel customer overlap.
- Terzani: Italian high-end decorative lighting producer specializing in sculptural fixtures for luxury hospitality and residential. Comparable as a Florence-rooted, designer-collab-driven, niche luxury lighting maker competing for the same hotel specification projects.
- Artemide: Italian luxury architectural lighting manufacturer with deep presence in hospitality, residential, and museum projects globally. Comparable in target customer (luxury hotels, designers), Italian manufacturing heritage, and project-based specification sales.
- Modular Lighting Instruments: Belgian premium architectural and decorative lighting maker serving high-end hospitality, residential, and retail projects. Comparable as a designer-led European lighting company with project-based B2B sales into the same luxury hotel customer base.
- Vibia: Spanish designer lighting manufacturer targeting luxury hospitality, residential, and architectural specifier channels with strong international sales. Comparable as a designer-collab-driven decorative and architectural lighting company competing for premium hotel specs.
- Penta Light: Italian decorative lighting manufacturer specializing in handcrafted indoor fixtures for luxury hospitality and residential. Direct comparable as a small-batch Italian maker of decorative indoor lighting competing for similar five-star hotel specifications.
- Louis Poulsen: Danish premium decorative and architectural lighting brand with deep hospitality references (e.g., global hotel chains). Comparable in craftsmanship heritage, specifier-driven distribution, and positioning at the upper end of project-based lighting.
- Foscarini: Italian decorative lighting brand with strong designer collaborations and presence in luxury hospitality and residential interiors. Comparable as an Italian design-led lighting firm using mixed materials and custom finishes for high-end interior projects.
Broad incumbents
- Delta Light: Belgian architectural lighting manufacturer serving large-scale commercial, hospitality, and residential projects globally. Comparable in serving luxury hotel specifications with premium fixtures, though broader in scope and more industrial in positioning than MLE.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MLE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MLE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MLE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MLE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MLE
What does MLE do?
MLE designs, manufactures, and supplies premium lighting fixtures for the luxury hotel and hospitality sector, including wall lamps, reading lamps, bathroom lights, picture lights, lighting mirrors, pendants, and decorative objects. The company sells through direct B2B project channels, offering both a catalog of over 100 product families and a 'Su Misura' bespoke custom manufacturing service, with extensive finish customization such as hand-stitched leather, hand-rolled Murano glass, and proprietary multilayer paints.
Is MLE a public or private company?
MLE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MLE founded?
MLE was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MLE based?
MLE is headquartered in Campi Bisenzio, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does MLE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lighting Fixture Sales are the primary driver. The others are samples Service and custom/Bespoke Projects.
Who are MLE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Flos, Slamp, Terzani, Artemide, Modular Lighting Instruments, Vibia, Penta Light, Louis Poulsen and Foscarini. Delta Light is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does MLE have an API?
No public API is recorded for MLE.
What industry is MLE in?
MLE's product category is Hospitality Lighting Fixtures. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAIAK, Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights), with a secondary code of IMAGAIAJ, LED Drivers, Ballasts & Power Modules for Lighting (Constant-current/voltage drivers, ballasts, control gear). Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3640.